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Memorial Day is almost here. As the weather turns warmer and we head into grilling season, it’s time to gather your family around the barbie and cook some dinner.
What’s better than hot dogs and hamburgers topped off with a big bowl of ice cream on a warm summer evening?
These well loved foods bring us back to our youth, and they are the kind of foods we know will please both our kids and a big crowd. Well the thing is, in my family, we have decided to rethink the family barbecue this year. We are trying to watch what we eat a bit more lately. Being three months past having a baby, I still have a few pounds to lose, and my husband (having put on the obligatory sympathy weight) feels the same way. Plus now that our oldest son is eating all his meals along with us, I wanted to stick with the healthier offerings I have introduced him to, such as whole grains in place of more refined and processed ones, leaner cuts of meat, and less sugary items.
Now one of my standard summer menu items is a grilled chicken salad. I start with a mix of salad greens (varying between romaine, spinach, or mixed greens), top with various veggies, beans, fruits, and nuts, and lightly dress with oil and vinegar. Over the top of the salad I add some sliced freshly grilled chicken breast. It makes a very nice meal. But there are times when only hot dogs and hamburgers will do -- think holidays like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July!
First stop on our more wholesome family barbecue: the often ill reputed hot dog. I just read an article that red meats processed with sodium (hot dogs, sausage, bacon) are especially bad for our heart health. So I found these nitrate free turkey dogs recently at the store. And what do you know? My son loves them!
On the same shopping trip, I noticed that they are now making whole wheat hot dog and hamburger buns. I thought what the heck, I’ll give them a try. Despite the grumbles from my husband (a die hard white bread lover), I served our turkey dogs on whole wheat buns.
For hot dog toppings, we used good old fashioned ketchup (this time made without high fructose corn syrup) and mustard. But I would like to someday introduce my kids to the joys of a healthy Chicago-style dog, complete with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and relish.
Next stop, the burger. I have long been a lover of turkey burgers, my favorite recipe is a simple one filled with herbed cheese spread. There are many other types of meat alternatives out there that are also healthier than ground beef, such as buffalo or ostrich burgers. You could even swap out your ground beef burger for a salmon or cod burger, if your family likes seafood. Or go meatless and select one of the variety of veggie burgers that are now available.
So while these renovated hot dogs and burgers aren’t what we are conventionally used to, they still make great grilling fare. Don’t forget to follow up your good-for-you grilled meal with a cold, creamy treat. But if you want to go a healthier route over ice cream, you could try sherbet, sorbet, or water ice!
©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1060-healthy-barbecue/
The Healthy Family Barbecue
What’s better than hot dogs and hamburgers topped off with a big bowl of ice cream on a warm summer evening?
These well loved foods bring us back to our youth, and they are the kind of foods we know will please both our kids and a big crowd. Well the thing is, in my family, we have decided to rethink the family barbecue this year. We are trying to watch what we eat a bit more lately. Being three months past having a baby, I still have a few pounds to lose, and my husband (having put on the obligatory sympathy weight) feels the same way. Plus now that our oldest son is eating all his meals along with us, I wanted to stick with the healthier offerings I have introduced him to, such as whole grains in place of more refined and processed ones, leaner cuts of meat, and less sugary items.
Now one of my standard summer menu items is a grilled chicken salad. I start with a mix of salad greens (varying between romaine, spinach, or mixed greens), top with various veggies, beans, fruits, and nuts, and lightly dress with oil and vinegar. Over the top of the salad I add some sliced freshly grilled chicken breast. It makes a very nice meal. But there are times when only hot dogs and hamburgers will do -- think holidays like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July!
First stop on our more wholesome family barbecue: the often ill reputed hot dog. I just read an article that red meats processed with sodium (hot dogs, sausage, bacon) are especially bad for our heart health. So I found these nitrate free turkey dogs recently at the store. And what do you know? My son loves them!
On the same shopping trip, I noticed that they are now making whole wheat hot dog and hamburger buns. I thought what the heck, I’ll give them a try. Despite the grumbles from my husband (a die hard white bread lover), I served our turkey dogs on whole wheat buns.
For hot dog toppings, we used good old fashioned ketchup (this time made without high fructose corn syrup) and mustard. But I would like to someday introduce my kids to the joys of a healthy Chicago-style dog, complete with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and relish.
Next stop, the burger. I have long been a lover of turkey burgers, my favorite recipe is a simple one filled with herbed cheese spread. There are many other types of meat alternatives out there that are also healthier than ground beef, such as buffalo or ostrich burgers. You could even swap out your ground beef burger for a salmon or cod burger, if your family likes seafood. Or go meatless and select one of the variety of veggie burgers that are now available.
So while these renovated hot dogs and burgers aren’t what we are conventionally used to, they still make great grilling fare. Don’t forget to follow up your good-for-you grilled meal with a cold, creamy treat. But if you want to go a healthier route over ice cream, you could try sherbet, sorbet, or water ice!
Herbed Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers
Made with pickles, red onion, ground turkey, Boursin cheese, buns, tomato, romaine lettuce
Made with pickles, red onion, ground turkey, Boursin cheese, buns, tomato, romaine lettuce
Serves/Makes: 4
- 1 small red onion
- 1 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 4 tablespoons light Boursin cheese (or other cheese spread)
- 4 buns
***Accompaniments***
- tomato slices
- romaine lettuce
- sliced pickles
Prepare grill to medium high heat.
Finely chop onion. In a bowl gently combine onion and turkey (do not overmix) and form into 1/2-inch-thick patties. Center 1 tablespoon Boursin on each of half the patties and top with remaining patties, pressing edges together to seal.
Season burgers with salt and pepper and grill on a lightly oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through.
Serve burgers on buns (toast if desired) with tomato, lettuce, and pickles.
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©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1060-healthy-barbecue/