BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger

'The Most Decadent Diet'

Save more than 500 calories with alternatives to your favorite meals.

From the kitchen of Devin Alexander

3 Comments

Servings:1

Difficulty: Easy

Cook Time: 1-30 min

The barbecue bacon cheeseburger is usually a guilty pleasure. Here, I've combined these favorite ?avors in a reasonable-sized burger that's even more scrumptious because the ingredients are fresh and guilt free. Please, though, don't cheat when buying the beef.

Some people think that buying 93 percent lean ground beef isn't that much different from the 96 percent lean, but it is. Four ounces of the 96 percent lean have about 150 calories and 4 1/2 grams of fat. Four ounces of the 93 percent lean has 170 calories and 8 grams of fat. Yes, the 96 percent lean is more expensive, but you're worth it (plus, in the long term, you'll be saving money on doctor bills!)

Ingredients

4 ounces 96 percent lean ground beef

Pinch of salt

1 1/2 slices center-cut bacon

1 hamburger bun (reduced-calorie)

1/2 ounce light Swiss cheese slivers

1 to 2 tablespoons red onion slivers

2 teaspoons barbecue sauce

Cooking Directions

Pack the beef tightly together with your hands, and then shape it into a 4-inch-diameter patty on a sheet of wax paper. Sprinkle lightly with salt on both sides, and then place in the freezer for 5 minutes (to help the patty keep its shape).

Preheat a grill to high.

Cut the whole bacon strip in half crosswise. Lay the 3 half strips side by side in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, ?ipping them every couple of minutes, until crispy and well done, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Meanwhile, remove the patty from the freezer and place it on the grill. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium rare, or until the desired doneness is reached. Toast the bun halves on an upper grill rack for 30 seconds to 1 minute, watching them carefully. Place the cheese on top of the burger for the last few seconds of cooking so it just begins to melt.

Add the patty to the toasted bun bottom. Lay the bacon strips side by side over the top. Place the onion over that. Spread the barbecue sauce evenly over the inside of the top half of the bun. Place the bun top atop the sandwich. Serve immediately.

Makes 1 burger; 1 serving

Each 3-Decadent-Disk serving (1 burger) has : 304 calories, 33 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 10 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 752 mg sodium

You save : 180 calories, 22 g fat, 8 g saturated fat

Traditional serving: 484 calories, 29 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 32 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, 99 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 712 mg sodium

* Recipes taken from Devin Alexander's "The Most Decadent Diet Ever!" and www.devinalexander.com