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The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

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!

 

460 Comments

Comments

Sally S. says ...
I like a "California" style burger, with a slice of Vidalia or other mild onion, slice of tomato, slice of green or red pepper, and a small dollop of plain or flavored mayo. (I use turkey or chicken for the burger.)
05/16/2012 5:20:26 PM CDT
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
Jeremy says ...
Kalbi Burger: 50% ground chuck/50% ground brisket (grass fed of course) marinated for 4 hours in teriyaki; flame grilled and topped with arugula, roasted garlic, caramelized sweet onions, sauteed mushrooms, and smoked brie. Serve on a garlic-butter grilled ciabatta roll with sesame ginger aioli.
05/16/2012 5:31:13 PM CDT
Betsy T. says ...
Slice of thick-cut ham, pineapple ring, and bbq sauce.
05/16/2012 5:32:49 PM CDT
Leeann says ...
Turkey burger on a whole wheat bun with pesto, melted Swiss cheese, a little bit of chopped garlic and baby spinach leaves. Heaven!
05/16/2012 5:32:53 PM CDT
Julia says ...
Lettuce, onions, mayonnaise, and black pepper!
05/16/2012 5:33:40 PM CDT
Jessica says ...
Roasted red pepper, iceberg lettuce, bacon, feta
05/16/2012 5:36:06 PM CDT
Alison says ...
I like to make a paste of oil packed sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and garlic in my food processor and spread it on the patty. top with sharp cheddar and onion. yum!
05/16/2012 5:43:12 PM CDT
Nicole says ...
turkey patty with lemon zest, salt & pepper, fresh parsley and basil - grilled and served with avacado, fresh tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts.
05/16/2012 5:45:15 PM CDT
Cindy says ...
Sauteed mushrooms and blue cheese
05/16/2012 5:51:55 PM CDT
Sheila says ...
Veggie burger on toasted Ezekiel English muffin--top with avacado ,tomato and red onion--serve with lime wedges
05/16/2012 5:53:53 PM CDT
stephanie bondlow says ...
avocado,tomatoes,bean sprouts,with Thai peanut dressing, delish!
05/16/2012 5:55:05 PM CDT
Lauren G. says ...
I am pretty traditional...cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and light red onion...yum!
05/16/2012 5:56:18 PM CDT
John L says ...
Grouper Burger, topped with a salsa of 1 diced avocado combined with 1 tsp each of: WF Spicy Ginger Miso Dressing, WF Miso Mayo and fresh lime juice
05/16/2012 5:56:32 PM CDT
Heidi says ...
ATOMIC BURGERS: MIX Spanish onion bulldog sauce, Mitch (an Indian spice),Red pepper flakes, 1 Egg, diced Jalapenos, Serrano pepper, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Garlic, Salt, Pepper,and Chili oil into burger meat. When forming patties form meat around Feta Cheese. When cooked, top with a fresh grilled pineapple ring to ease the heat of all the peppers and really round out the flavor!
05/16/2012 5:56:55 PM CDT
Sharon says ...
Ground buffalo topped with crisp WF applewood smoked bacon, Maytag blue cheese, thin slices of red onion and tomato and a schmear of mayonnaise. Heaven!!
05/16/2012 6:01:02 PM CDT
Candy N. says ...
Start with an onion kaiser roll. Lean beef mixed with a tsp. of worchestershire sauce. I saute mushrooms and 1 clove of garlic (minced), and top the burger with a slice of sharp cheddar. Mmm
05/16/2012 6:03:55 PM CDT
Pat says ...
Paper thin burgers with alittle Crisp with Crispy, crispy, Bacon Lettuce,thinly sliced tomatoe and Chedder cheese. SLice of Avocado and you have a Perfect Burger !!
05/16/2012 6:04:07 PM CDT
MJ says ...
Staring with grass-fed ground beef or bison, Season generously with dried mexican oregano, dried sweet basil ( fresh can be used as well ), THICK worcestershire sauce, a touch of cumin for an earthy hint, fresh ground black pepper, and the secret ingredient to compliment the basil is; MINT! (dried) Let the raw meat sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors bloom. Serve with red onion, avocado slices, crisp romaine lettuce or mixed greens, top with pepper jack and serve on a brioche bun. Yum! Your guests will sing your praises ... then ask for more! Happy "Burging!"
05/16/2012 6:05:52 PM CDT
Bonnie and Gil says ...
For 4 burgers: 2 lbs 50% chuck, 30% shoulder, 20% sirloin. 4 med cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 egg 2 tbs dry oregano 3 tbs fresh chopped parsley 3 tbs tamari 1 tbs fresh ground pepper Mix thoroughly Grill to medium rare Put on kaiser roll split in half, heavily buttered, topped with fine chopped garlic, one vlive per sandwich, sprinkle with sea salty, and toasted in the oven until golden brown on top Separate out yolk of 1 large egg, whip with tbs mayonnaise, spread on the garlic breads and then place burger on bun. Top burger with thick sliced ripe tomato Tada! Bon appetit!
05/16/2012 6:07:32 PM CDT
Jennifer says ...
A delicious, healthy turkey burger grilled over mesquite chips w/ melted Parrano cheese, avocado, romaine lettuce, thin sliced red onion, tomato slices & ranch dressing on a toasted garlic bun!
05/16/2012 6:11:29 PM CDT

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