Three Breakaway Burgers -- You'll Never Go Back!

Posted Tue, May 22, 2007, 3:44 pm PDT

POST A COMMENT »

Is there anything that doesn't taste good on the backyard grill on a hot, blue-sky day? Well, if even regular old ground beef patties seasoned with a little salt and pepper taste good with a cold beer, imagine if we put the slightest effort into making them special.

Americans are not alone in our devotion to grilled ground meats: Almost every culinary tradition grills some kind of burger, and we can take our burger grilling to new heights by doing some minor, but revelatory, borrowing from them. Here are three breakaway burgers that take their inspirations from around the globe, but that have been adapted to backyard-style burgers:

1) Make your patty as usual, but instead of just throwing it on the grill, make a spice crust for it. This just means sprinkling a variety of ground spices on both sides, especially spices you have in your cabinet anyway but don't use that much. I like to use prodigious quantities of ground fennel, star anise, and/or coriander with salt and black pepper to give burgers an Indian-ish taste, but feel free to experiment with paprika, ginger, tumeric, mustard, or just curry powder. Try topping your burger with some store-bought chutney, a little chopped coriander, and/or some yogurt. Large slices of grilled sourdough are the bread of choice here.

2) Try a rustic Italian spin: Sprinkle on some dried oregano, thyme, garlic, and rosemary, and top your burger with grilled onions and garden tomatoes. If you have it, chopped fennel is also nice on top with a little brown mustard. On a piece of grilled ciabatta or a rustic roll that's been drizzled with fruity extra-virgin olive oil, nothing's better.

3) Use ground lamb instead of ground beef, and look to the Middle East for your inspiration. In a bowl, mix your ground lamb with some cinnamon, some chopped-up dried dates or figs (or other dried fruit), some chili powder, black pepper, and plenty of salt. If you're feeling adventurous, drizzle in some pomegranate molasses. Form patties, and off you go! Try them with grilled pita or any kind of bread you like -- they are seriously habit-forming.

Email This Story IM This Story Print This Story

Back to Index | « Prev Post | Next Post »

Leave a comment | View All 71 Comments »

71 Comments

1. Posted by lmc on Tue, May 22, 2007, 8:17 pm PDT

i love the lamb with pomegranate molasses idea!
Report Abuse
2. Posted by Scott A on Wed, May 23, 2007, 10:38 am PDT

As long as you have the grill fired up, why not also do the easiest breakaway onions? (Yes, burger #2 has that, but let's extend that.) Thickly slice an onion, and push a toothpick through it to hold it together. (I actually put in the toothpick before slicing it, but YMMV.) Lightly oil it, and then grill it until it is dark. Then, paint on some pomegranate molasses or miso, and grill until it is caramelized.
Report Abuse
3. Posted by Grillinman75 on Thu, May 24, 2007, 8:28 am PDT

There are Soooo many different ways to spice up a burger. The many different creations are endless! Throw some sliced tators on the grill too! Yummy!
Report Abuse
4. Posted by Taylor B on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 7:24 am PDT

i love your grilled tree frog idea. yum!
Report Abuse
5. Posted by Michael on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 8:56 am PDT

Gross!
Report Abuse
6. Posted by tim on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 9:12 am PDT

How Disgusting!
Report Abuse
7. Posted by sch_koda on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 9:50 am PDT

in other words... tasteless?
Report Abuse
8. Posted by raindreamer on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 10:08 am PDT

All great ideas, I use many variations of these recipes with my burgers and meatloaves. Hamburger is so bland by itself, but it can taste great with some work. For people who aren't quite as adventurous, and don't have much time, one very quick and easy change I sometimes use is to just add a bit of hot and chunky salsa into the meat as I'm kneeding and patting it out. Can't use too much though or the meat won't stick together. Crushed, seasoned croutons can also be a nice quick fix.
Report Abuse
9. Posted by adame161 on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 10:29 am PDT

I also mix Ranch dressing with the meat while making the pattys and grill. My kids love them. Also costco sells this new mesquite rub, sprinkle to your taste and you get that great smoky flovor.
Report Abuse
10. Posted by jetskigal on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 10:53 am PDT

If your ground beef is tasteless, then you're buying the cheap stuff. Go to a meat market or butcher shop. If your butcher is a good as mine, then you'll find the meat much leaner and flavorful.
Report Abuse
11. Posted by Fast on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 10:54 am PDT

Nothing like costco and ranch to spice up a burger....
Report Abuse
12. Posted by Lori on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 11:04 am PDT

Mrs. Grass onion soup is also great mixed in hamburger
Report Abuse
13. Posted by Doreen S on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 11:15 am PDT

I like to put a little liquid smoke or hickory salt in with my hamburger then make the patties. Also, don't press on the meat while it is grilling so you keep the flavorful juices in the meat.
Report Abuse
14. Posted by Elaine on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 12:27 pm PDT

Lamb burgers are also lovely with chunks of feta cheese in the patty.
Report Abuse
15. Posted by on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 1:10 pm PDT

I like my burgers the good old fashon way ,without all that junk on them.
Report Abuse
16. Posted by on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 2:18 pm PDT

Wow, revolutionary article!!
Report Abuse
17. Posted by hddra on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 3:45 pm PDT

Take a sweet onion and slice it in whole round pieces make a well in the patty, insert onion. Turn over the onion side last. Season as you like or try spicing it with dried mint and 1-2 tbl of Lawrys ginger pinapple marinade. Pretty good!
Report Abuse
18. Posted by Mark W on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 3:50 pm PDT

you tried your best and failed miserably.....the lesson is, never try
Report Abuse
19. Posted by karen.delli@att.net on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 4:53 pm PDT

I mix in some horseradish, worcestershire, gralic powder and chunks of onions and pepers and server it on an onion roll. It is good even if you don't have any horseradish.
Report Abuse
20. Posted by jjandi1985 on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 5:08 pm PDT

i like pie
Report Abuse
21. Posted by Kerry K on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 5:51 pm PDT

I am also a fan of pie., well said jjandi1985.
Report Abuse
22. Posted by Hello Kitty on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 5:54 pm PDT

i like cheese grilled mushrooms and onions on top of my burger
Report Abuse
23. Posted by karen_filek on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 6:31 pm PDT

i like peanut butter with my burgers
Report Abuse
24. Posted by consolutionsman on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 9:34 pm PDT

hail to all above,i just love burgers full stop,food is one of my favorite pastimes and now i`m hungry.
Report Abuse
25. Posted by MonkeyPounder on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 9:40 pm PDT

Put soy sauce on them, then your favorite seasoning(s)!
Report Abuse
26. Posted by Doran J on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 9:46 pm PDT

Another thing you can do is add a little bit of minced apple into the meat then cook it over briquets with a few apple wood chunks mixed in. you wont believe the flavor the smoke puts on it .
Report Abuse
27. Posted by jarreb on Sat, Jun 02, 2007, 11:18 pm PDT

I love Bleu cheese burgers. Chunk bleu cheese and/or blue cheese dressing. Bob's bleu cheese is the best, but I don't see it much anywhere.
Report Abuse
28. Posted by ranchtoast on Sun, Jun 03, 2007, 12:55 am PDT

I think that the first 2 ideas are better than the third. I would like to see more recipes on this page that fon't have fish nuts or honey in them. I have deadly food allegies.
Report Abuse
29. Posted by Sik O on Sun, Jun 03, 2007, 6:30 am PDT

Way to take a good burger and make an ass out of it
Report Abuse
30. Posted by Jen S on Sun, Jun 03, 2007, 8:33 am PDT

To hddra - Great idea on pressing the sweet onion into the burger and grilling it that way. I usually chop the onion but that sounds like less of a hassle or mess. I'll have to try that next time I make some burgers!
Report Abuse