McDonald’s is something I would never eat now, simply for the fact that if I was going to have a burger, I would make one myself and if I am out and need something to eat quickly, there are much tastier and healthier options available. But that is just my choice and opinion, that same way lots of others choose to eat McDonald’s. Nobody is perfect and everyone has their “thing”. A McDonald’s once in a while is not going to ruin anything, if that is what you want to eat.

However, saying that, I know a lot of people have a serious McDonald’s addiction and they are hitting the drive-thru every day. I love burgers, they are so versatile with all the different meats you can use and the various ways you can flavour them and then there is so much choice of topping. People automatically think that burgers are going to be unhealthy, but if you use a lean mince, whole wheat burger bun and don’t go overboard with the toppings, then it can be a healthy choice for a meal.

That leads us on to the Big Mac. One of the most popular items on the McDonald’s menu can be made healthier and in my opinion tastier. I know a lot of people might not agree with that, because they enjoy the taste of all the additives in the Big Mac – that is what makes them so addictive and that is not a good thing. This healthier Big Mac is additive free and the sauce is so good and you would never know that it is not full of mayo.

Ingredients – Serves 2:

– 250g ground lean turkey breast mince (use beef for an authentic burger or turkey if you want it leaner. Calories are based on turkey mince)

– Half an onion, finely diced

– 1 small red chilli, finely diced

– 2 whole wheat burger buns

– 2 handfuls of shredded lettuce

– 20g sliced cheese

– 2 pickles/gherkins

Sauce:

– 3 tbsp Greek yoghurt

– 1 tbsp Ketchup (I used homemade, but try to use a low salt and sugar one)

– Quarter of a red pepper, very finely chopped

– 2 pickles/gherkins, very finely chopped

– Half a teaspoon of cayenne

– Juice of quarter of a lemon

1) Put the beef, diced onion, chilli and some salt and pepper in a bowl, mix together and then form into 2 burger patties and chill in the fridge.

2) Mix together all of the sauce ingredients and put in the fridge to chill.

3) Grill the burgers (I used a George Foreman) for 10 minutes – put the cheese on top to melt a couple of minutes before they are cooked.

4) Create your healthier Big Mac by cutting open your burger buns (toast them first), spread some sauce on the bottom slice of the bun, top with a burger, add a little more sauce, some lettuce, a pickle/gherkin and top with the top of the burger bun.

5) Serve with some homemade fries, which I made by slicing 2 potatoes into thin fries, mixing with a little olive oil and baking for 40 minutes.