Meat & Grain Burgers

June 8, 2010


Where do I begin?  This is my new favorite burger!  It’s healthy, it’s delicious, it’s cheap…there’s nothing about it I don’t love!  And, even #3 loved it.  Winner!  I found the original recipe in last month’s issue of Runner’s World (really!), and I changed it a little to make it better (but don’t tell them).

It rained, but we grilled anyway!  My sister-in-law stopped by just as I was starting dinner, so I invited her to stay. And she LOVED this meal.  I also served it with the delicious wheat and bean salad, corn on the cob, garlic-rosemary potato wedges, and fry sauce.  I was full for two days!

12 oz bag frozen spinach
1 lb ground beef (or any ground meat)
1 small onion, finely chopped (or 1/4 c dried, chopped onion)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or 1/4 – 1/2 t dried minced garlic)
1 t ground cumin
pinch cayenne
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 T worcestershire sauce
1 egg
2 c cooked grain (CRACKED WHEAT, steel-cut oats, whole-wheat couscous, etc)

Thaw and drain spinach.  In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients and mix until combined.  Shape into patties (make them the size of your bun, they will not shrink while cooking).  Grill over medium heat, about 4 minutes per side.

*A pound of fresh spinach may be used in place of frozen, just blanch first (put in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain and plunge into ice water.  Drain, squeezing dry, and rough chop).

*Patties may also be roasted in the oven on a rimmed baking sheet at 400 degrees until firm and browned, about 20-30 minutes, turning once or twice.

*Makes 6-8 patties.  I made six, but easily could have made 8.  These are very filling.

*Even with the egg, the patties must be handled carefully so they don’t fall apart before cooking.

*These freeze very well.


By Becky

Becky is a mom to 4 kiddos and wife to an awesome guy. She's a food fanatic and loves creating and improving recipes. Bread is her weakness and delicious food is her passion!