Green Goddess Garden Burgers & Grilled Chicken Burgers

Green Goddess

Garden Burgers

&        Grilled Chicken Burgers

For the Love of Summer Grilling, here's a take on Green Goddess Garden Burgers & Grilled Chicken Garden Burgers. Occasionally, I like to 'change up' the regular ole' burger combinations and try something a little different.

For this little endeavor, I'm making a Green Goddess dressing, as opposed to the more regular mustard/mayonnaise/ketchup combinations and using some low-fat ingredients and fresh herbs. I'll also incorporate some fresh garden tomatoes and sprouts!

Green Goddess Dressing:

Ingredients - (makes approximately 1 cup):

• 1/3 c. plain low-fat yogurt
• 2 tbsp. low-fat mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (I stole a lemon from my neighbors tree.)
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 c. chopped fresh chives
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh basil (so aromatic & so good)
• salt (to taste)
• fresh ground pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, blend the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice & Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add the chives, basil, salt, pepper & puree the mixture. Although I like mine with a hint of texture!

Now that's Green Goddess!

3. Transfer the dressing to a small bowl, cover & refrigerate until ready to use on either the burgers or the grilled chicken. note: This dressing will keep for several days refrigerated.

 

Garden Burgers:

Ingredients - (makes 4, 1/4 lb. burgers):

• 1 lb. lean ground beef or chuck (I use the 96/4 lean beef, which is 96 lean with 4% fat) 
• Worcestershire sauce
• non-stick grilling spray for the grill
• salt (to taste)
• fresh ground pepper (to taste)
• McCormick Grill Mates Steakhouse Onion Burger seasoning (optional)
• Red Leaf lettuce
• fresh tomato(es), sliced
• fresh sprouts for topping (Alfalfa sprouts or I've found Pea Shoots work well.)
• purple onion, sliced
• whole wheat hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Make four beef patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
2. Season both sides of the patties with salt, pepper & McCormick Grill Mates Steakhouse Onion burger seasoning. 
3. Drizzle about a 1 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce on each patty. Set aside to prepare grill.
4. Spray the cooking grate of the grill & pre-heat to medium (approximately 350 degrees).
5. Once heated, grill the patties approximately 5 minutes per side (or to desired doneness).*
6. Remove the patties to a plate, cover with aluminum foil & let rest 5 minutes.
7. While the patties 'rest', grill the buns cut side down about 1 minute.
8. Top the bun "bottoms" with lettuce, a tomato slice(s), onion slice, burger patties & sprouts.
9. Drizzle the sprouts with the Green Goddess Dressing, then cover with the bun "tops".

*note: I've found it best NOT to press the burgers with a spatula while they cook. This helps prevent grill 'flare ups' and retains some of that juicy goodness from the burgers.

Lookin' Good!

oops! That might be more than a drizzle ;)

Grilled Chicken Burgers

Ingredients: (makes 4 - 6 chicken burgers)

• 1/2 c. canola oil
• 3 tbsp. lite soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (or about 1/2 large lemon)
• 1 tbsp. dry ground mustard (or 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard)
• salt (to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp. dried parsley or 1 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
• 4-6 boneless, skinless thin sliced chicken breasts
• red leaf lettuce
• fresh tomato(es), sliced
• purple onion, sliced
• 1 avocado, sliced (hint: pour a little lemon juice over the avocado to keep it from 'browning' while preparing the burgers...)
• fresh sprouts for topping (Alfalfa sprouts or green pea sprouts work well)
• whole wheat buns

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar & lemon juice.
2. Stir in mustard, salt, pepper, & parsley to combine.

3. Place chicken breasts in bowl, spoon or pour marinade over chicken, cover & marinate in refrigerator for 2-4 hours, or longer. The longer you marinate, the more flavor the chicken will have.
4. Heat the grill to medium, approximately 350 degrees.
5. Grill the chicken breasts approximately 5-8 minutes per side or to desired level of doneness. Over grilling will make the breasts dry!

6. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate, cover with aluminum foil & let rest about 3-4 minutes.
7. While the chicken breasts 'rest', grill the buns cut side down about 1 minute.

8. Top the bun "bottoms" with lettuce, a tomato slice(s), onion slice, a chicken breast, avocado & sprouts.
9. Drizzle the sprouts with the Green Goddess Dressing, then cover with the bun "tops".





A little 'pasta side dish' makes a perfect compliment! And a really easy, quick pasta dish is Suddenly Salad Classic. You can kick it up a bit with chopped fresh tomato, sliced black olives or even toss a little (low-fat?) shredded cheese on top. Doesn't this look tasty!

WildWSS over & out. Enjoy YOUR Green Goddess Garden Burgers!