Get Grillin'! 15 Healthy Burger Recipes to Enjoy

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

Fire up the grills! Chances are high you'll be attending a barbecue to celebrate the Fourth of July. While the classic all-beef patty is the go-to burger of the season, it's nice to change things up — especially for the vegetarians and more health-conscious eaters of the group. If you're planning a barbecue this weekend, here are 15 burger recipes to add to your grilling repertoire that will satisfy even the healthiest of eaters.

Spicy Chili Burgers
Healthy Happy Life

Spicy Chili Burgers

Take the heat up a notch in these delicious-looking spicy vegan chili burgers. Brown rice and kidney beans form the base of these beautiful burgers.

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Quinoa Burger
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Quinoa Burger

Completely vegan and packed with vitamin A, this sweet potato, chickpea, and quinoa veggie burger is perfectly spiced and completely satisfying. At 202 calories per patty, you can add a 120-calorie whole-wheat bun and lettuce, tomato, and ketchup (34 calories) and still come in well under 500 calories.

Bulgur Burgers
Whole Foods

Bulgur Burgers

While it may seem sort of odd, it's common in Mediterranean cooking to add bulgur to ground meats, like in this recipe for beef and bulgur burgers. Not only will it add fiber to your meal, but also, the additional grains decrease the amount of fat and cholesterol in each burger.

Really Simple Bean Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Really Simple Bean Burgers

Try this simple and delicious bean burger — no grill required. Grab a handful of ingredients that are probably already hiding in your pantry, turn on your stovetop, and you're done in less than 10 minutes. It's a great vegetarian option for the weekend and a satisfying, protein-packed supper to enjoy after a tough gym session.

Sweet Potato Burger
Lunchbox Bunch

Sweet Potato Burger

Wow guests with this too-good-to-be-true sweet potato burger. It's crispy on the outside thanks to a panko crust, and the inside is made from creamy sweet potato and white beans.

BBQ Turkey Burgers
Eat Drink and Be Skinny

BBQ Turkey Burgers

When you crave something on the lighter side, go for lean turkey meat. These quinoa turkey burgers are flavored with onions, dijon mustard, and BBQ sauce.

South Beach Diet Chimichurri Burgers
The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook

South Beach Diet Chimichurri Burgers

These chimichurri burgers from The South Beach Diet: Taste of Summer Cookbook substitute calorie-laden condiments with chimichurri, a thick herb sauce that hails from Argentina.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger

Sweet potatoes, black beans, millet, and corn make up this Summer-perfect black bean burger that even meat eaters will fall for. Opt for plain soy yogurt for the creamy sauce, or keep things fresh and simple with sliced avocado instead.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Guests will love the surprise of spinach that's hidden inside these stuffed turkey burgers; the garlic and scallions help to give the dish a spicy kick.

Spicy Chickpea Barley and Quinoa Veggie Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Spicy Chickpea Barley and Quinoa Veggie Burgers

A barbecue doesn't have to equal all meat. Since most veggie burgers from the freezer section tend to be pretty flavorless, it's always good to try to make your own. Our recipe for spicy chickpea barley and quinoa veggie burgers is one of the best you'll ever have.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

These portobello mushroom burgers are perfect for vegetarians! Adding to the flavor of the dish, the portobellos are marinated in balsamic vinegar and garlic before being charred on the grill and served with cheese.

Buffalo Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Susi May

Buffalo Burgers

Buffalo, aka bison, is similar in taste to beef but leaner, which makes this recipe for buffalo burgers a good stand-in for the classic burger. Even more of a plus is that buffalo is higher in iron and is not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. Note of caution: because buffalo meat is so lean, it's easy to overcook. Make sure to keep an eye on your buffalo burgers when they're on the grill!

Black Bean and Beet Veggie Burger
Happy. Healthy. Life

Black Bean and Beet Veggie Burger

This thick and juicy black bean and beet burger brings a creative array of ingredients to the mix including black rice, walnuts, and even mushrooms! If you want to bite into the screen right now, you're not alone.

Caprese Veggie Burger
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Caprese Veggie Burger

The base of this caprese veggie burger is made with cannellini beans, mushrooms, and rolled oats, but it's flavored with fresh basil leaves and tomatoes straight from the vine. For 378 calories, this veggie burger offers nine grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein. And because it's low in calories, you'll have plenty of room for all the other BBQ faves you crave!

Herb-Chicken Tofu Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Herb-Chicken Tofu Burgers

The tofu in these herb-chicken tofu burgers adds just the right amount of binding, eliminating the need for egg yolk or bread crumbs. The result is a juicy chicken burger patty that doesn't taste anything like tofu.