Hamburger Budget Stretch

Stretch your meal budget without sacrificing flavor with this creative "Hamburger Budget Stretch" recipe! Perfect for families or meal preppers, this dish combines protein-packed ground beef with hearty rice, vibrant carrots, savory onions, and aromatic garlic to create a deliciously satisfying patty that's easy on your wallet. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple pantry staples like breadcrumbs and an egg for binding, these tender patties come together quickly and cook to perfection in a skillet. Serve them as a standalone main dish with your favorite side vegetables or turn them into flavorful burgers on toasted buns. Ideal for whipping up a nutritious, crowd-pleasing meal on a budget, this recipe is your go-to for affordability, versatility, and unbeatable taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 cup uncooked rice
• 1 cup water
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water and combine it with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Let it cool slightly.

Step 2

While the rice is cooking, finely chop the carrot, onion, and garlic cloves or use a food processor for quicker preparation.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped carrot, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and egg. Add the salt and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with clean hands or a wooden spoon until well combined.

Step 4

Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and form them into patties about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 5

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the patties in batches and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should read 160°F (71°C) to ensure doneness.

Step 6

Remove the patties from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Step 7

Serve the patties as-is with your favorite sides or on buns for a hearty burger.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1132.9 grams (1132.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1849

Total Fat 105.40g	135%
Saturated Fat 36.90g	185%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.40g
Cholesterol 521mg	174%
Sodium 3665mg	159%
Total Carbohydrate 136.80g	50%
Dietary Fiber 8.40g	30%
Total Sugars 13.10g
Protein 101.60g	203%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 173mg	13%
Iron 13mg	73%
Potassium 1698mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.9%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 28.8%