Classic Hamburger for Two

(3)

Slow-cooked onions add moisture and flavor to these lean beef burgers for two. A quick blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and vinegar makes a perfect tangy, sweet and creamy “special sauce” for this burger. We love the dill relish here, but use sweet relish if you prefer it. Serve with sweet potato fries.

Classic Burger for Two
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
2
Yield:
2 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • 1 ½ teaspoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

  • 3 teaspoons ketchup, divided

  • 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise

  • 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish

  • ½ teaspoon distilled white vinegar

  • 8 ounces lean (90% or leaner) ground beef

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or steak sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 2 sesame-seed or other hamburger buns, toasted

  • 2 slices tomato

  • 2 leaves green-leaf lettuce

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high (or see Stovetop Variation).

  2. Combine 1 onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons ketchup in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 5 to 8 minutes more. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool for a few minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon relish and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.

  4. Add 8 ounces beef, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire (or steak sauce) and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the onion and gently combine without overmixing. Form into 2 patties, each about 3/4 inch thick.

  5. Oil the grill rack (see Frequently Asked Questions). Grill the burgers, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

  6. Assemble the burgers on 2 toasted buns with the ketchup-mayonnaise sauce. Then, top each burger with an equal portion of 2 tomato slices and 2 lettuce leaves.

  7. Stovetop variation: Coat a nonstick pan, preferably cast-iron (or a grill pan), with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add burgers, reduce heat to medium and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer registers 155°F (for pork and bison) or 165°F (for beef or chicken), 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this burger good for you?

    90% lean ground beef is only 10% fat—just enough to keep the burger from drying out while cooking. If you wanted to reduce the fat content more, you could use 93% lean ground beef, which is about the same fat content as ground turkey. But be careful not to overcook it, or you'll end up with a hockey puck. The ground beef in this burger is an excellent source of protein, iron and vitamin B12. The bun adds complex carbohydrates for energy. If you want to up the fiber content, use a whole-grain bun. The tomato, lettuce and onion add a little bit of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

  • Can I make the special sauce ahead of time?

    Absolutely. Prepare ketchup-mayonnaise sauce (Step 3) and refrigerate for up to 1 day. If you have any leftover sauce, you can also use it on fish tacos and salads or chicken sandwiches, and it's an ideal dip for chicken fingers and fries instead of ketchup.

  • What are the best side dishes to serve with burgers?

    While french fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings may be the first dishes that come to mind, there are so many other options and recipes that should not be overlooked, including Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries, Grilled Vegetables in Foil, Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette, Air-Fryer Kale Chips, parsnip fries, Esquites (Mexican Corn), Massaged Kale Salad with Grapes & Cheddar and the list goes on. Setting out a fruit salad or a bowl of grapes or sliced pineapple is always appreciated, as well as a special lemonade, slushie or smoothie.

  • What's the easiest way to oil a grill rack?

    Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2011

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

204 Calories
7g Fat
32g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 204
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 4g 8%
Protein 5g 10%
Total Fat 7g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Vitamin A 2014IU 40%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Folate 93mcg 23%
Sodium 485mg 21%
Calcium 104mg 8%
Iron 2mg 13%
Magnesium 22mg 5%
Potassium 296mg 6%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.