Bodacious Burger Recipes

Recipe 1: Grilled All-American Burgers
These beef burgers are great to serve for 4th of July celebrations or for other summer cookouts. Accompany with buttered corn on the cob if you like.

Ingredients:

• 1 clove garlic, minced, or 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon catsup
• 1 tablespoon steak sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• 2 - 3 dashes bottled hot pepper sauce
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 American cheese slices (optional)
• 4 lettuce leaves (optional)
• 4 tomato slices (optional)
• 4 red onion slices (optional)
• 4 pickle slices (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Directions:

1. For sauce, in a small saucepan combine garlic or onion, catsup, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, cooking oil, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl combine ground beef, salt, and pepper; mix well. Shape meat mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.

3. To Cook by Indirect Grill Method: In a covered grill arrange preheated coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above the pan. Place meat on the grill rack over the drip pan. Cover and grill for 20 to 24 minutes or until instant-read thermometer inserted in side of burger registers 160 degrees F, turning once halfway through grilling time and brushing frequently with sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling.

4. To Cook by Direct Grill Method: Grill meat on the grill rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until no pink remains, turning once halfway through grilling time and brushing frequently with sauce.

5. To serve, split and toast the buns on the grill. Serve patties in buns with cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

• Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare sauce; cover and chill up to 24 hours. Prepare and shape burgers. Cover with plastic wrap and chill up to 2 hours before grilling.

Recipe 2: Pepper-Bacon Burgers
You get a double dose of peppers in your sandwich. Jalapenos are mixed in with ground beef and cooked mild chili peppers top the burger.

Ingredients:

• 1 large beaten egg
• 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 6 slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled
• 4 - 6 fresh serrano or 2 to 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (3 tablespoons)*
• 2 tablespoon milk
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 fresh Anaheim or mild green chili pepper, seeded and cut into rings
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
• 2 tablespoon margarine or butter
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns, split and toasted

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl stir together egg, bread crumbs, bacon, serrano or jalapeno peppers, and milk. Add ground beef and mix well. Shape meat into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.

2. Grill patties, on an uncovered grill, directly over medium coals for 15 to 18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in side of patty registers 160 degrees F, turning once.

3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan or skillet cook the Anaheim or mild green chili pepper and onion in margarine or butter about 10 minutes or until onion is tender. Serve burgers on lettuce-lined buns. Top burgers with pepper-onion mixture. Makes 4 servings.

* Note: Because hot chili peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your eyes, lips, and skin, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. When working with chili peppers, cover your hands with plastic bags (or wear plastic or rubber gloves). Be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water before touching your eyes or face.

Recipe 3: Terrific Teriyaki Burgers
You'll love these hearty burgers with an Asian flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 6 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• 1 small sliced cucumbers (optional)
• 4 lettuce leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Stir together the soft bread crumbs, onion, water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ground ginger in a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef and mix well. Shape the meat mixture into six 3/4-inch-thick patties.

2. For a charcoal grill, place patties on the grill rack directly over medium coals. Grill, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of a patty registers 160 degrees F, turning once.

3. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place patties on the grill rack; cover and grill as above.

4. Serve burgers in buns topped, if desired, with sliced cucumbers and lettuce. Makes 6 servings.

• Test Kitchen Tip: When grilling, to test for medium heat, you should be able to hold your hand over the heat at the height the food will cook for 4 seconds before having to pull your hand away.

Also see: 30 more burger recipes >