Some mornings call for something more filling than toast or cereal. This Healthy Breakfast Burger combines classic breakfast favorites—eggs, turkey bacon, and cheese—with peppery arugula and salsa for a savory, satisfying breakfast that still feels balanced.
Two whole eggs make the burger hearty, while garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and a small amount of salt give the eggs plenty of flavor.
A whole-wheat or whole-grain hamburger bun is the preferred choice for extra fiber, but a regular hamburger bun works perfectly well when those aren’t available.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: About 15–17 minutes
Servings: 1
Serving Size: 1 breakfast burger
Ingredients
- 1 whole-wheat or whole-grain hamburger bun, or 1 regular hamburger bun especially if wheat/whole grain buns are unavailable
- 2 large eggs
- ⅛ teaspoon iodized table salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of paprika
- 2 slices turkey bacon
- 1 slice sharp cheddar cheese (you can use reduced fat cheese)
- ¼ cup fresh arugula
- 1–2 tablespoons salsa, (you can use lower sodium salsa)
- Nonstick cooking spray or ½ teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Turkey Bacon
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Cook the turkey bacon according to the package directions until browned and slightly crisp.
Transfer the turkey bacon to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Toast the Hamburger Bun
Reduce the skillet to medium-low heat.
Split the hamburger bun and place both halves cut-side down in the same skillet.
Toast for about 1–2 minutes, or until the cut sides are lightly golden.
Remove the bun from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Season the Eggs
Crack the eggs into a small bowl.
Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.
Whisk until the eggs and seasonings are thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Cook Your Eggs
Lightly coat the skillet with nonstick cooking spray or ½ teaspoon olive oil and keep the heat at medium-low.
For an Egg Patty
Pour the egg mixture into the skillet.
Allow the eggs to begin setting, then gently shape them into a round patty approximately the size of the hamburger bun.
Cook until the eggs are fully set, carefully flipping if necessary.
Place the cheddar cheese on top during the final minute of cooking and allow it to melt.
Step 5: Assemble the Breakfast Burger
Place the arugula on the toasted bottom bun.
Add the egg-and-cheese patty.
Top with the turkey bacon and 1–2 tablespoons salsa.
Add the toasted top bun and serve immediately.
Helpful Tips
Use the same skillet for everything. Cooking the turkey bacon, toasting the bun, and cooking the eggs in one skillet makes cleanup easier.
Toast the bun without butter. A dry skillet gives the bun a lightly crisp surface without adding extra saturated fat.
Choose a whole-grain bun when possible. Whole-wheat or whole-grain buns generally provide more fiber. A regular hamburger bun is still an acceptable substitute.
Drain watery salsa. Spoon off excess liquid before adding it to prevent the bun from becoming soggy.
Keep the eggs moist. Medium-low heat and removing the eggs as soon as they’re just cooked helps prevent a dry or rubbery texture.
Want more heat? Use medium or hot salsa instead of adding more salt.
Why This Breakfast Burger Is a Healthier Choice
Two whole eggs provide high-quality protein along with nutrients such as choline, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Turkey bacon provides the smoky flavor associated with bacon and can contain less fat than many varieties of traditional pork bacon, depending on the brand.
Using only one slice of sharp cheddar gives the sandwich plenty of cheese flavor without using several slices.
Arugula and salsa provide vegetables, texture, and additional flavor without relying on mayonnaise or a heavy creamy sauce.
A whole-wheat or whole-grain hamburger bun adds fiber when available, and skillet-toasting it without butter keeps the preparation simple.
Estimated Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 breakfast burger
- Calories: approximately 430–460
- Protein: approximately 24–27 g
- Total Fat: approximately 21–24 g
- Saturated Fat: approximately 8–9 g
- Carbohydrates: approximately 28–32 g
- Dietary Fiber: approximately 1–3 g
- Total Sugars: approximately 4–6 g
- Sodium: approximately 1,150–1,350 mg
If you use cooking spray instead of ½ teaspoon olive oil, the burger will be about 20 calories and 2 grams of fat lower.
Nutrition values are estimated using a regular hamburger bun, regular sharp cheddar cheese, regular salsa, and turkey bacon. Choosing a whole-wheat bun, reduced-fat cheese, and/or lower-sodium salsa may increase fiber and reduce saturated fat, calories, and sodium depending on the brands used.
