Ultimate Guide to Healthy Burgers: Discover the Best Burger Recipes for 2024

Article posted in: Diet & Nutrition
healthy homemade burger recipe

Summer means burger season! If you’re focusing on weight loss or sticking to a diet like Nutrisystem, you don’t have to miss out on burgers. We have 10 irresistible burger recipes to keep your summer fun and delicious, featuring everything from classic beef burgers to plant-based and seafood options. Get ready to light up the grill and enjoy these tasty creations!

Burgers are not only fun and versatile but can also be healthy. Our curated list includes delicious options made with ground beef, as well as lighter alternatives like turkey and salmon. We’ve also included innovative vegetarian burgers that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a burger on any given day, our recipes offer numerous ways to enjoy burgers while staying aligned with your health goals. Try them out—several are likely to become new favorites for you and your family!

1. Italian Turkey and Mozzarella Burger

Italian Burger

This turkey burger goes Italian in the best possible way: With marinara sauce and melty, crispy mozzarella cheese. Think of it as turkey burger parm. It starts with a flavorful burger, spiced with red onion, garlic powder, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and fresh basil, mixed with an egg, salt and pepper. You can grill the burgers (this recipe makes five) or cook them in a pan on your stove top. When they’re done, simply dab on two tablespoons of marinara and a slice of mozzarella, pop them into the oven and heat until the cheese melts and get slightly crispy. Serve on a whole wheat bun and enjoy one of our delicious burger recipes you won’t regret!

Get the Italian Turkey and Mozzarella Burger recipe.

2. Spicy Inside Out Cheeseburger

inside out burger

Your family will know where the beef is, but they won’t know the whereabouts of the cheese till they take their first bite of this spicy beef burger. Made with grass-fed beef mixed with a delectable combination of Worcestershire sauce, jalapenos, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, this burger isn’t topped with cheese. . .the cheese is inside! You simply make thin patties, place two Tablespoons of shredded pepper jack or cheddar on top of one, then place another on top of that, sealing the edges. Every bite is a treat.

Get the Spicy Inside Out Cheeseburger recipe.

3. Lettuce Wrapped Mushroom and Swiss Burger

mushroom and swiss

You may give up buns forever once you bite into this crispy, juicy, flavorful mushroom beef burger topped with Swiss cheese… no wonder it’s one of our favorite burger recipes! The coolest thing about this sandwich, besides the crunchy “bun” of iceberg or romaine lettuce, is that the baby bella mushrooms are mixed up inside the grass-fed beef burger, along with sautéed onion and garlic, then flavored with sea salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.

Get the Lettuce Wrapped Mushroom and Swiss Burger recipe.

4. Mega Beet Burger

beet burger

Did you know that some of the most popular meatless burgers on the market today get their real beef feel with beets? You’re not going to believe how good this meatless burger tastes—and how juicy it is! The burger is made with brown or green lentils, onion, garlic, chopped walnuts, cooked beets, rolled oats, a“flax egg”—a combo of flaxseed meal and water that makes a gel after five minutes—and a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon to add a surprising flavor. Slathered with a homemade goat cheese spread made with goat cheese, nonfat Greek yogurt and a little honey, it’s served on a whole wheat sandwich thin.

Get the Mega Beet Burger recipe.

5. Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

egg rolls

Now you can have one of your favorite appetizers without guilt. And you can have it for lunch or dinner! The recipe is simple: Sauté lean ground turkey with diced onion, black pepper and garlic powder, add low-fat cheddar cheese and egg white, then scoop two tablespoons of the meat mixture into each of 10 egg roll wrappers. Seal the wrappers with water, brush with egg yolk and bake for 25 minutes. Serve with ketchup.

Get the Cheeseburger Egg Rolls recipe.

6. Sweet Potato and Corn Veggie Burger

sweet potato veggie burger

Serve this meatless burger as a vegetable side or you can add a PowerFuel like cheese and turn it into a Flex meal. They’re easy-peasy to make too. In a food processor, just combine cooked sweet potato, carrot and spinach, then stir in some corn, cumin and pepper. Form into patties and broil. In five minutes, they’re ready to serve!

Get the Sweet Potato and Corn Veggie Burger recipe.

7. Edamame Quinoa Burger

burger recipes

The edamame and the egg give this meatless burger a big hit of protein, which makes it extra filling. They’re added to quinoa and spiced with garlic powder, cumin, coriander and pepper. Topped with spicy sriracha and thick-sliced tomato, it’s all wrapped in crunchy iceberg lettuce leaves.

Get the Edamame Quinoa Burger recipe.

8. Caprese Turkey Burger

Caprese Turkey Burger

Take advantage of summer’s bounty of off-the-vine tomatoes with this flavorful burger made from lean ground turkey, garlic powder, almond flour and pepper. You can broil or grill the burger, then top it with a slice of part-skim mozzarella, a slice of big juicy tomato and fresh basil leaves. Serve in a small whole wheat bun.

Get the Caprese Turkey Burger recipe.

9. Salmon Burger with Herb Cream Sauce

burger recipes

Get a great big dose of health omega-3 fatty acids with this restaurant-worthy salmon burger. The delectable patty is made from salmon and seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, cayenne and black pepper, then broiled to perfection. We serve it up on a whole wheat bun with peppery arugula.

This savory Salmon Burger is delicious on its own. But pair it with the special Herb Cream Sauce, and it’s like total burger bliss! The creamy, dreamy sauce includes a simple combo of reduced fat cream cheese, nonfat plain yogurt, lemon juice and herbs like chopped fresh dill and parsley.

Get the Salmon Burger with Herb Cream Sauce recipe.

10. Hawaiian Jerk Burger

burger recipes

This island-inspired garlic-spiced turkey burger receives a delicious makeover with jerk sauce. Jerk sauce, known for its blend of hot peppers, garlic, and spices like nutmeg and allspice, adds a flavorful twist. Topped with fresh pineapple slices and served on a wholesome whole wheat bun, this mouthwatering burger will transport you to a tropical paradise. Experience the taste of the islands with this tantalizing dish that captures the essence of the Caribbean.

Get the Hawaiian Jerk Burger recipe.

11. Healthy Avocado Turkey Burger

Homemade Healthy Turkey Burgers with Avocado, Cheese, Lettuce and Tomato

A patty made with lean turkey can deliver all the satisfaction of a classic beef burger with much less saturated fat. We season mild-flavored ground turkey with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and a dash of Worcestershire sauce to give it a more savory flavor. Topping it with Swiss cheese and a slice of avocado provides a smooth and creamy texture. It’s all piled on a whole wheat bun along with lettuce and tomato to complete your diet-friendly meal.

Get the Healthy Avocado Turkey Burger recipe.

12. Easy Black Bean Mushroom Burger

black bean burgers

Meatless burgers aren’t just for vegetarians. They’re for anyone who wants to enjoy a burger while loading up on fresh plant foods packed with vitamins, fiber and plant-based protein. Our version has a rich flavor and a hearty texture, thanks to the cremini mushrooms and black beans that are used as the base. Dry rolled oats bind them together so you can form the ingredients into patties. Smoked paprika, low-sodium soy sauce and other seasonings infuse them with a meaty, smoky taste. This recipe makes six patties and you can freeze the extras to heat up in minutes anytime you have a hankering for a burger.

Get the Easy Black Bean Mushroom Burger recipe.

13. Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers

Cheddar Jalapeno Burgers with sweet potato fries

People who enjoy a little heat in their meals will love this zesty burger. It’s made with lean ground beef seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chopped onions and garlic. Chopped jalapenos are mixed with the meat to give every bite a bit of zing. After grilling the patties to taste, you serve them on toasted whole wheat buns and top with an easy homemade sriracha mayo, lettuce and tomato.

Get the Jalapeno Cheddar Burger recipe.

14. Grilled Feta Salmon Burger

Grilled Feta Salmon Burger

Salmon is a versatile protein that’s high in heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. In this recipe, you blend up fresh or budget-friendly canned salmon with spinach and creamy feta cheese, then form the mixture into firm patties. Cooking them on the grill over an open flame infuses them with that smoky flavor you love in a burger. Serve these burgers on whole wheat buns or, for an even lighter but filling meal, wrap them inside sturdy lettuce leaves with your favorite toppings.

Get the Grilled Feta Salmon Burger recipe.

15. Green Veggie Burger

green veggie burger

Our homemade veggie burgers are easy to whip up, and you can be sure they’re made with only healthy ingredients (unlike many brands of “fake meat” burgers now popular in stores). These patties are formed from a blend of rolled oats, green peas, chickpeas, egg white, spinach and broccoli. They’re baked in the oven for about 15 minutes until they are firm, lightly chewy and ready for topping with lettuce, sliced onion and salsa.

Get the Green Veggie Burger recipe.

16. Turkey Burger Patty Melt

Turkey Burger Patty Melt

A patty melt is like a combination of burger and grilled cheese. To make ours, we start with lean ground turkey and mix it with panko breadcrumbs, unsweetened almond milk, an egg and seasonings. After the patty is cooked, it’s topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, and a slice of Swiss cheese. All of it is layered between two slices of sourdough bread and then cooked until the cheese melts and the bread turns crisp on the outside.

Get the Turkey Burger Patty Melt recipe.

17. Nutrisystem Pizza Burger

Nutrisystem pizza burger

Pizza burgers bring together two favorite foods into one satisfying meal. Making one is quick and easy when you start with the Nutrisystem Classic Hamburger, a real beef patty that’s high in protein and real meaty flavor. It’s coated in breadcrumbs and sauteed until the outside becomes golden and a little crunchy, like the crust of a pizza. The patty is coated with marinara sauce and melted shredded mozzarella cheese for that true pizza taste.

Get the Nutrisystem Pizza Burger recipe.

18. Grilled Foil Packet Cheeseburger and Veggies

Grilled Foil Packet Cheeseburger and Veggies

You can make a cheeseburger the heart of a complete meal with veggies and potatoes, all cooked together. The patty is formed from lean beef and topped with a slice of low-fat cheddar cheese. It’s wrapped inside a foil packet with chopped onions, zucchini and chunks of baby potatoes, then heated on the grill until the burger is cooked through. It comes out juicy and the veggies are perfectly tender. With this meal, you get the fun of eating a burger and all the nutrition of a balanced dinner.

Get the Grilled Foil Packet Cheeseburger recipe.

19. Mushroom Onion Burger with Bruschetta

Mushroom Onion Burger with Bruschetta

When we saw this imaginative meal submitted by a Nutrisystem member, we had to try it for ourselves. To make it, the Nutrisystem Classic Hamburger is cooked and topped with grilled mushrooms and onions for a rich, satisfying flavor. It’s served open-faced with just the bottom of the whole wheat bun. The bun’s lid holds a serving of the zesty tomato-basil dish known as bruschetta. You get a hearty, high-protein entrée and a boost of vitamins, minerals and fiber from the bruschetta appetizer, all in one satisfying lunch.

Get the Mushroom Onion Burger recipe.

20. Cheeseburger Tacos

cheeseburger tacos

Introducing the Cheeseburger Taco – a delectable fusion capturing social media’s attention! This extraordinary taco boasts flavorful seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and classic burger fixings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions hugged by a soft whole wheat tortilla. Discover our healthier take on this trending sensation, a recipe blending the rich essence of a cheeseburger in a fresh and light taco form.

Get the Cheeseburger Taco recipe.