Nothing screams summertime like firing up the grill. And nothing could be more ridiculous that putting all of the contents from the grill onto one burger. When I first saw the ad for Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr’s “Most American Thickburger”, I thought I was watching a commercial from Saturday Night Live.
The whole concept is intentionally so over the top that it’s hilarious: a half pound burger with a grilled hotdog, Lay’s potato chips and, of course, American cheese eaten by a model with fireworks behind her. How could this not be a joke? It’s for real folks, and you can get it today for a mere 1030 calories.
You tell us – would you try the Thickburger? My brother-in-law said he’d do it… if it was past midnight… and he wasn’t sober. I respect his ambition, but I can’t get past the absurdity of the whole thing. I will credit the creators of that monster meal for inspiring me to write this post though.
See below for a few ideas for twists on the real American favorite: the classic burger. To really turn these into healthier meals, eat them open-faced or swap the bun for a wrap of butter lettuce as shown in the picture below.
1) Jalapeno Chickpea and Lentil Burger
Not just for vegetarians, this flavor-packed burger is totally delicious. Ambitious Kitchen says these are freezer ready, so make a triple batch and enjoy for weeks to come. Also, don’t hesitate to make the mango pico on its own.
2) Apple Turkey Burger with Caramelized Onions and Brie
I am a sucker for anything with brie cheese. This can be made with ground turkey breast for a leaner alternative which gets mixed before grilling with grated apple, mustard and fresh herbs.
This is an amazing summer lunch option! It’s such a nice take on a simple, often forgotten budget pantry staple: the can of tuna. This modest protein is packed with protein and B vitamins and even omega 3. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra kick.
Enjoy your summer!
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