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Top This: A Burger Contest

By Elizabeth Smith, April 29, 2012  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Elizabeth Smith

A few months ago we had an unseasonably warm Sunday. It was the sort of spring day when I open as many windows as possible in hopes of airing out the stale winter air that inhabits the house from fall through winter.

By midafternoon, the beloved scent of barbeque wafted through the open windows, tickled my nose and ignited my appetite. With simply a hot grill, some meat and veggies, my neighbors had officially kicked off grilling season.

Hurrah!

Read on to find out how you could win a $50 Whole Foods Market gift card for your next homemade hamburger dinner.

One of many reasons I’m an ardent fan of grilling is because you can make a fuss-free meal and it doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Take the hamburger for example. Over the years, my husband and I have experimented with lots of different recipes in hopes of creating the best burger ever.

During this quest for perfection, we’ve tried (and enjoyed) lamb, grass-fed beef, portobello mushrooms, turkey and black bean patties. But where we’re able to truly elevate our burger is in our choice of topping. Roasted red peppers. Goat cheese. Savory and sweet relishes. Bacon. Chipotle-spiked mayo.

Surely the world’s perfect burger must include some of these. At my house, we haven’t discovered the ultimate burger topping but we have enjoyed the search and are looking forward to another grilling season of tasting our way through more potential winners.

If you too are on a quest to build a better burger, here are a few of our favorite recipes to inspire you.

Wow your dinner companions with beef burgers topped with cherry-spiked mustard, sweet grilled onions and tangy blue cheese.

Portobello and Pineapple Teriyaki Veggie Burgers offer a delicious family-friendly option without the meat.

Fans of cheese and bacon step forward and try these hearty and flavorful Gorgonzola and Smoky Bacon Burgers.

Raita, a cool cucumber and yogurt sauce, makes an ideal complement to the spicy patties in this lamb burger recipe.

The touch of finely chopped habanero pepper may be just the thing to make Turkey Burgers with Roasted Pepper and Avocado Salsa a star at your table.

Enjoy the fresh flavor of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich straight from the grill with this burger version.

Do you shake up the standard condiment rundown? Share your best-dressed burger in the comments below by June 30 and you could win a $50 Whole Foods Market® gift card.

Let the grilling begin!

Category: Food & Recipes, Meat, Value - Whole Deal
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460 Comments

Comments

Franne S. says ...
My favorite burger has my homemade Pimento Cheese on it, small amount of mayo and ketchup all on an English Muffin...it's a messy delight.
05/16/2012 5:22:31 PM CDT
Doreen says ...
Really like to make a patty melt-grilled onions, with a burger topped with cheddar cheese. After preparing the burger-put the burger on buttered rye bread, top with the onions, and grill the whole sandwich.
05/16/2012 5:22:58 PM CDT
Dawn says ...
Avocado, goat cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, and lettuce, on a sesame seed bun. Soooo good!
05/16/2012 5:23:16 PM CDT
Heidi says ...
Of course, begin with a fresh organic, grass fed beef or buffalo burger patty from Whole Foods Market. I also love Dave's Killer Bread hamburger buns for a little extra flavor, crunch and fiber that adds to an exquisite burger experience. Caramalize 1 or 2 organic Whole Fods yellow onions in a tablespoon of good olive oil for about 25 to 30 minutes in a large skillet. Halve fresh organic peaches and toss them onto the grill for just a few minutes on each side until they are warm, juicy and have grill marks on the fleshy side. Remove from grill and slice into medium thin slices, then fan them out on your almost done burgers that are still on the grill. Layer on the caramelized onions and sprinkle with a bit of Oregon Blue gorgonzola cheese. Close the lid of the grill until the cheese is just melted and slightly bubbly. Slather a bit of organic stone ground mustard onto the buns, and top with a couple of freshly washed crisp dark green lettuce leaves. I usually love grilled sweet potatoe fries on the side of this outdoor dish, with a dab of homemade peach or tomato chutney for dipping. Serve with a glass of chilled Oregon Rose wine and Enjoy!
05/16/2012 5:27:39 PM CDT
Amy says ...
Veggie burger with vegan cream cheese, fresh jalapenos, a little red onion, couple of sauteed mushrooms...and maybe a hint of bbq sauce! YUM!!
05/16/2012 5:29:37 PM CDT
Elizabeth says ...
My new favorite is a caprese burger... toppings are fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, and basalmic glaze.
04/30/2012 12:54:03 AM CDT
Patti says ...
Best Tex-Mex Burger 90/10 Burger meat, salt pepper - grill Top with refried beans and queso (American Cheese, butter, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos) Now add small Fritos on top of cheese Smear buns with Avocado. Yum Yum!
05/15/2012 8:47:33 AM CDT
Matt Brown says ...
I put green apple guacamole on a burger. Here's the recipe: 1 green apple, peeled and chopped in small pieces 1 avocado 2 tablespoons of cilantro 1 tablespoon of lime 1 jalapeño chopped (optional) Mix all the ingredients together and you have green apple guacamole.
05/15/2012 9:00:26 AM CDT
Nicola Gabriel says ...
I will only eat burgers that have awesome toppings - my current fave is a spicey morrocan salad called matbucha (mat-book-ah), I make it myself, it is simple to do and the ingredients are easy to find at Whole foods. It elevates a boring old burger to gourmet level - yummy!
05/15/2012 10:04:12 AM CDT
Catalina S says ...
Homemade turkey burgers topped with gouda cheese, avocado, tomato, arugula, bacon and a homemade cilantro sauce. yum...
05/15/2012 10:14:05 AM CDT
Amanda says ...
okay i know this will sound crazy, and I am not an adventurous eater but I did try this and loved it! Hamburger with peanut butter, fried banana's, and bacon! I NEVER would have imagined that peanut butter would be so good on a burger!!
05/15/2012 10:41:36 AM CDT
James says ...
Mix 1/3 ground lamb with 2/3 ground beef. Top fresh-baked bun with: 2 slices of brie. 2 slices of bacon. Beer battered fried onions (3-4 thin rings). Mache. Black Krim heirloom tomato slice, salted and peppered on both sides. Garlic and pesto aioli. Eat with delight, delirium, and deliciocity.
05/15/2012 11:00:40 AM CDT
Sheena says ...
My fave is a Salmon Burger with Scallions topped with: •Avacado •Feta •Mayo Sauce, which consists of: Mayo, Scallions, Black Pepper, & a generous squeeze of Lime Top it off with a few sprigs of Cilantro & a squeeze of Lime on a Toasted Whole Wheat Bun... & bite into heaven!
05/15/2012 11:14:03 AM CDT
Suzanne says ...
Turkey burger - mix ground turkey with fresh onion (chopped), a variety of spices including oregano, garlic, chili, cumin. Make oven roasted potatoes for the side, with the same spices. Top the burger with sauteed mushrooms, cheese, lettuce, tomato and of course a pickle on a big, beautiful kaiser roll!
05/15/2012 11:53:37 AM CDT
Donna says ...
My favorite burger is grilled in a cast iron pan or over charcoals to medium rare. Then topped with my son's pickles ( www.greenhollowsf.com/), chopped sauteed shallots, slices of fresh avocado and heirloom tomatoes, and a garlic aioli.
06/09/2012 2:25:08 PM CDT
Michele Rolfe says ...
Salmon Fillet Burgers w/Chipotle Mayo on Chibatta Rolls This is my personal creation- Lightly toasted Chibatta,with Chele's Chipotle Mayo sauce Shredded lettuce, red onion rings thinly sliced, grilled salmon filets bushed with Chele's tequila lime marinade add slice of Havarti cheese during last minute of grilling to melt. Serve with sides of quacamole,chipotle mayo sauce spiked with fresh cilantro, fresh lime slices to squeeze over hot salmon with harvati, place on Chibatta and serve with Chele's homemade Chipotle Pico De Gallo. Or a fruity version Chele's Chipotle Mango/Peach Salsa,enjoy! Recommend Black bean chips and roasted red pepper chips for a side...
05/15/2012 2:14:40 PM CDT
Emma says ...
my best dressed burger starts with organic beef - 80 or 85%, mixed gently and quickly with black pepper & worcestershire sauce (no salt, since the W. sauce has quite a bit already in it), grill to medium well, serve on a homemade bun (Bittman's no knead bread recipe is great for this, just cut the dough into smaller rounds, and proof & bake from there). When we don't have the foresight to make our own buns, then a lightly toasted batard makes a close substitute (but we never use soggy bagged buns). Lightly toast the insides of the bun (or baguettte) & put a thin coating of pesto mayo & serve the burger on the bun, stacked with fresh tomato, onion, applewood bacon, hunks of avocado (lightly salted), & a thin slice of a sharp cheddar cheese on the underside. I'm a ketchup purist, so organic ketchup on mine, but a grain mustard on DH's. We both like a full sized deli pickle on the side :)
05/15/2012 2:20:35 PM CDT
Patti Sarno says ...
I just like them simple. Grass-Fed Beef (or Buffalo or Turkey), a little salt and pepper then garnished with Swiss Cheese, fresh onion slices, Tomato and lettuce on an onion roll! Gotta be Medium-Rare! Hopefully this is not a recipe contest!
05/15/2012 2:20:40 PM CDT
Naomie says ...
Avocado Tomato Bacon Blue cheese
05/15/2012 3:04:16 PM CDT
Erin says ...
We love just a classic bacon cheeseburger at our house, but we have added our own twist. You have to start out with a really tasty bun, then patty out a half pound grass fed beef with half pound bacon(chopped up in food processor). Season with blackening season(1 tsp each:cumin, paprika, cayenne, oregano, black pepper, salt). Melt a slice of smoked gouda on top & finish that great burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle & jalapeno!! I know what's for dinner tonight!!!!
05/15/2012 3:15:55 PM CDT
Scott says ...
Teriyaki SALMON BURGER (from Whole Foods seafood section)on homemade buns. (Mine): Topped with Lettuce, thinly sliced roma tomatoes, spoonful of Whole Foods prepared guacamole and a pinch of alfalfa sprouts. (Wife's): Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and homemade organic tri-colored bell pepper and lemon relish.
05/15/2012 3:24:04 PM CDT
j'me weaver says ...
before making my perfect burger i take my burger patties out approximately 1- 1 1/2 hours before cooking time and i marinade my patties in vinegar, and worchestire sauce until cook time. while cooking/grilling the patties i place a few slices of fresh onionon top of them and when the burger is finally finished i immediately place a few slices of cheese on top. it is now time to "dress" my burger 1.i first put a little mayo on both sides of my bun 2.i place my burger on the lower bun and put it aside until i am finished "dressing" the rest of it. 3. next i spread alittle guacamole on the top bun only. 4. next i put about 4 pickles on the top bun also. 5.ketchup and mustard are a must so they come next. 6.i usually like a few shredded potatoes on top of my burger also but it is optional. 7.i then put a few roasted mushrooms on my bun and i place the top portion and bottom portion of my burger together...You now have My Perfect Burger. 8. IT IS NOW TIME FOR YOU TO EAT YOUR BURGER ! ;)
05/15/2012 5:13:49 PM CDT
Allison Simon says ...
An 80/20 burger topped with two slices of American cheese, salt, pepper, potato chips, and pickles on a whole grain seasame bun - delicious!
05/15/2012 5:37:17 PM CDT
Stanley Kong says ...
Usually when I dress my burgers, id always buy the best local ingredients. For a family or friends bbq- niman ranch beef, organic portabello mushrooms, kosher pickles or dill, napa valley dijon mustard, organic ketchup sans high fructose corn syrup,homemade mayo, aioli sauce, organic spinach, grilled onions, beets, yellow peppers, several types of cheese-sharp cheddar, pepperjack, gorg, blue cheese, provolone, all from local businesses or farmers, worchestershire sauce, hass avocado, bacon-prosciutto, fried egg, black truffles, lobster tail or shrimp -only for special occassions. for sides-steak frites, sweet potatoes, or beer batter onion rings
05/15/2012 6:00:26 PM CDT
Sagan says ...
Ground, lean turkey meat with chopped Parsley, cilantro, & onion as the Burger. Juicy, red Tomato slices, arugula, organic red onion, fresh cilantro, crumbled goat cheese all on a whole grain, sesame seed bun :-)
05/15/2012 6:15:35 PM CDT

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