Make Healthy Burgers for Your Next Barbecue!

Planning a summer barbecue this Fourth of July? If so, you're probably not the only one. The Fourth of July is one of those classic summer grilling holidays, a great time for old-fashioned burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob with lots of butter!

But barbecues don't exactly go hand in hand with eating healthy. While lean cuts can help, a 6 ounce burger with a bun can pack up to 600 calories or more - especially if you add cheese!

Fortunately, there are always healthy options! With some flavorful ingredients, you can create healthy grilled burgers that will satisfy the whole family. Here are three recipes, with three different kinds of meat, that you can make along with your child. When you're preparing the burgers, make sure your child helps with the measuring and the mixing. She'll be building valuable math and science skills that will help her throughout the many school years to come.

Tasty Beef Burgers

(Makes four burgers)

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tablespoons powdered vegetable soup mix (such as Knorr’s)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Optional: 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon each)

In a bowl, beat the egg whites slightly, until they are just foamy. Add the vegetable soup mix and Worcestershire sauce, and parsley if you’re using it. Then add the beef and breadcrumbs and the salt and pepper, and mix all of the ingredients until they are distributed evenly. Your hands are the best kitchen tool you have! Just make sure you and your child wash your hands thoroughly when you're all done to prevent cross-contamination. Shape your mixture into four burgers, and grill away!