Beef and veggies burgers that toddlers, kids and even the adults will love? This easy and nutritious dinner is perfect for little hands, for picky eaters, and for big kids too. These burgers can even be made into a silly monster faces that will make kids giggle, but still are delicious for parents and packed with hidden veggies too.
Jump to RecipeHaving a toddler can be so much fun. The questions, the sillyness the… wait, why is your dinner plate on the ground?
I get it, feeding a fussy toddler isn’t easy. In fact, it can be pretty hard work coming up with meals that they will love, have enough veggies, but that also the parents and all the other kids will love too.
I started this blog on Instagram when my daughter was a toddler and suddenly becoming a picky eater. Once she turned away noodles because I had bought a different shape. I can remember thinking to myself “but it’s the same pasta!?!”
This pesto pasta salad later became a big hit, and is now a regular dish in our family. Plus it pairs well with burgers!
One Meal For The Whole Family
So I started researching, reading and planning. But I wish I would have had a resource that would have saved me all of that time. So I could spend less time being frustrated and more time enjoying family meals.
I also learned if I had a few easy homemade recipes in my back pocket, my whole family ate better including me! Which is exactly what the Fuss Free Toddler Cookbook can save the day!
My friend Barbara over at Buenoa Pappa has written a fantastic book that will help you feed your whole family. She has such a love for good food!
Barbara’s new cookbook has over 80 recipes that toddlers and families will love together. She’s shared some of her own tried and true family recipes that help you make just one meal the whole family will love- just like these burgers!
Try out her Beef and Veggies Recipe below! Your family is going to love this recipe!
Jump to RecipeWhy Put Hidden Veggies In And Veggies Outside The Burger?
Hidden veggies in the burger help your child to bulk up on veggies but don’t give kids the exposure they need to veggies to be able to eat them long term.
Serve lots of veggies kids can both see and hidden veggies together for a longer dinnertime success and to build more trust with your child. Plus bulking up the whole family’s meals with veggies (including myself as an adult!) helps every one to get their daily servings in!
Can You Freeze These Burgers With The Hidden Veggies In Them?
I love to make the burger patties ahead of time and freeze them. Then, when a crazy busy week rolls around, all I have to do is place the patties in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and dinner comes together in a flash.
How Many Burgers Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes four full-size burgers, or you can make eight half-size burgers with mini slider buns.
What Do I Serve With These Burgers?
Quick roasted vegetables like carrots or broccoli make a great easy homemade side for this dish. I’m also a big fan of roasted sweet potatoes or these crispy oven-baked potato wedges is delicious with these burgers. Raw veggies and fruit can also be served on the side. There are also so many delicious recipe ideas in The Fuss Free Toddler Cookbook.
You can also add my sweet broccoli and apple pasta salad on the side, it goes great with burgers!
Other Recipes You Will Love
- Juicy Turkey Burger Sliders– Lean and the perfect slider size for little hands!
- Classic Beef Meatloaf- Made with a traditional ketchup-based sauce, this cozy classic is a family favorite.
- Juicy Grilled Chicken Kabobs– These fajita seasoned kabobs are full of juicy chicken and fresh vegetables. Throw them on the grill or bake them in the oven!
- Easy Pork And Zucchini Meatballs– Delicious meatballs packed full of veggies too!
Beef And Vegetable Burgers
These juicy burgers are loaded with hidden veggies and served on buns with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise, so you can feel good about burger night.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 Hass avocados peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 zucchini finely grated and drained
- 1 small carrot peeled and finely grated
- 1 ⁄2 cup minced cremini mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons minced yellow onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- A pinch of seas salt
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 regular-size hamburger buns or 8 mini-hamburger buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 2 yellow heirloom tomatoes cored and sliced
Instructions
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In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, zucchini, carrot, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, oregano, and salt.
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Form the mixture into 4 full patties or 8 kid-size patties. You can choose to grill the patties or freeze them by placing them in an airtight container with parchment between each patty so they don’t stick together.
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In a grill pan over medium-high heat, cook the burgers a few at a time, leaving some space in between, until the top of the patty starts to darken in color. Flip and cook for a few minutes longer. Do not press on the patty while it’s cooking or the juices will run out.
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Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on each bun.
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Assemble the burgers in this order: bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, burger, avocado, bun. Enjoy!
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To make it more toddler-friendly: Cut a burger into quarters and serve with a dipping sauce like Healthy Tomato Ketchup on page 136 of Fuss-Free Toddler Cookbook
Recipe Notes
- Make monster burgers! Slice a zucchini lengthwise and place 1 long slice on the burger when you assemble them. Cut 2 small cheese circles and place them next to each other on top of the bun. Cut a black olive in half and place 1 on each piece of cheese to make eyes.
- The Fuss-Free Toddler Cookbook: Mealtimes Made Easy with Healthy Recipes for the Whole Family, by Barbara Lamperti, published by Rockridge Press. Copyright © 2020 by Callisto Media. All rights reserved.
Did you make these burgers or any of the other delicious recipes in this book? Tell me about what you think in the comments and don’t forget to rate this recipe!
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