We have some good news for you: food that is good for you doesn't have to taste bad. We know that sometimes your body makes you want something your brain knows is no good, so we've gathered up a few recipes that will kill your cravings without all of the carbs and calories!
Some of these recipes require an oven, so they're great for when you're home. And with a little prep ahead of your trip, they could be prepared and reheated on the road.
Craving a Big Mac?
Going to get fast food is easy. But it is also bad for you. Next time you need a Big Mac, turn to one of these recipes that will make you forget McDonalds:
Big Mac Salad
What you'll need for the salad:
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 8 Ounces Romaine Lettuce
- 1 Cup Chopped Tomatoes
- 3/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Diced Pickles
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Diced Pickles
- 2 Teaspoons Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon White Vinegar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 & 1/2 Teaspoon Powdered Sweetener (Adjust to Personal Taste)
Instructions:
- Cook ground beef in skillet over high heat until beef has browned and moisture has evaporated (roughly 7-10 minutes)
- Puree all dressing ingredients in a blender, thinning out with water or oil if too think for your preference.
- Combine salad ingredients in a bowl, adding cooked ground beef and tossing in the dressing.
Find the original recipe here.
Bison Burger
What you'll need:
- 1 Pound Ground Bison
- 1 Teaspoon Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic
- 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Place ingredients in a bowl, gently combining without over-mixing
- Form 4 patties
- Grill burgers about 5-6 minutes on each side until you reach an internal temperature of 155° F
Do You Have a Hankering for Anything and Everything Fried?
Sometimes you just need something fried. The problem is, fried foods are often not health-friendly. So, we put together a few items that taste like they're deep fried without actually being deep fried.
Crispy Chicken Tenders
What you'll need:
- 1 Pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Tenders or Tenderloins
- 1 Cup Low-Fat or Fat-Free Buttermilk
- 3 Cups Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper
- Cooking Spray
Instructions:
- Pour buttermilk over chicken tenders in shallow baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and let marinate in a refrigerator for at least 2 hours
- After they have marinated, remove from the refrigerator and preheat oven to 375° F
- Spray wire rack with cooking spray, place over a cookie sheet, and set to the side
- Pour crispy brown rice cereal into a dish, lightly crushing it with your hands. You don't want to completely crush it, but it will stick to the chicken better in smaller pieces
- Mix salt, paprika, and pepper into the cereal
- Remove chicken tenders from buttermilk one at a time, coating them completely with the cereal mixture, and placing them on the wire rack
- When you've repeated that step until the tenders are all coated, mist the tenders with a layer of cooking spray
- Bake tenders for 11 minutes, remove and flip, add another coat of cooking spray, and bake for 11 more minutes
Try them with the Sriracha Honey Mustard found in the original recipe!
Coconut Shrimp
What you'll need:
- 1 Pound Raw Shrimp (peeled, deveined, and patted dry)
- 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
- 2 Egg Whites
- 4 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven to 400° F
- Line a baking sheet or pan with a wire rack and lightly spray with cooking spray
- In one bowl combine cornstarch, salt, and pepper
- In another bowl, add two egg whites
- In a third bowl, the coconut
- One shrimp at a time, completely coat it in the cornstarch mixture, followed by the egg whites, and finally the coconut
- Place on wire rack, bake for 10 minutes, flip each shrimp over, and bake for another 10 minutes (depending on the size of your shrimp, you may need to add another 10 minutes
Paprika Potato Chips
What you'll need:
- 2 Russet Potatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Teaspoons Sweet Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray
- Using a sharp knife, slice potatoes into thin rounds (roughly 1/16th of an inch)
- Place potatoes in a colander, rinse with cold water, spread in a single layer on a towel, and dry completely
- Whisk oil, salt, and paprika in a large bowl, add the potatoes, and toss to coat
- Transfer potatoes in single layer onto baking sheets
- Bake for roughly 12-20 minutes, or until browned and crispy
Want Some Pizza?
Everybody craves the ultimate comfort food sometimes. Luckily for you, there are lots of healthy alternatives to ordering Dominos:
Portobello Pizza
What you'll need:
- 4 Portobello Mushrooms
- Olive Oil
- Pizza Sauce
- Light Cheese
- Vegetables
Instructions:
- Preheat over to 350° F
- Wash mushrooms, remove stems, scrape gills, and lightly brush with olive oil
- Place mushrooms, open-end up, on baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes
- Remove from oven, add ingredients to your mushrooms, and return to oven baking for about 15 minutes (or until cheese is melted)
Cauliflower Crust
What you'll need:
- 1 Head Chopped Cauliflower
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Freshly Grated Parmesan
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper to Taste
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425° F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Finely ground cauliflower in a food processor or box grader
- Microwave cauliflower in a loosely covered bowl for 4-5 minutes and let cool, and then drain completely
- Combine eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with cauliflower
- Spread mixture onto baking sheet, spray lightly with nonstick spray, and bake 12-15 minutes
English Muffin Pizzas
These are quick and easy on the road! If you have a microwave in your truck, they'll be done in a matter of minutes! If not, next time you stop for gas run into the truck stop and heat them up. These are great because of how customizable they are—you choose the toppings and how many you need to fill you up!
What you'll need:
- English Muffins
- Pizza Sauce
- Low-Fat Cheese
- Vegetables or Meat of Choice
Instructions:
- If you have access to a toaster, first lightly toast your english muffin
- Layer sauce, cheese, and toppings on your muffin and heat for 15-30 seconds, or until cheese is melted
Want to test these recipes on the open road with K&J Trucking? We are always looking for great drivers! We are currently hiring both part time and full time positions in the Sioux Falls, SD, Kearney, NE, and Guymon, OK areas! Click below to start the conversation!
