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May is National Burger Month. We usually default to our list of 35+ burger recipes—at least one variation for every day of the month.
But we’re calling out this Grilled Avocado BLT Burger from the California Avocado Commission, because it has all of our favorite “essential” toppings. Our idea of burger heaven includes avocado, bacon, blue cheese, caramelized onions and tomato.
This isn’t the fastest recipe to prepare, because all the components are homemade. But if your palate is like ours, it’s worth pulling out all the stops—especially on a holiday weekend when there’s more time.
RECIPE: BLT AVOCADO BURGERS
Ingredients For 6 Burgers
For The Caramelized Chipotle Onions
1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Tabasco Chipotle or other chipotle pepper sauce
1 tablespoon beef broth
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
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Our favorite burger recipe has it all: avocado, bacon, blue cheese, caramelized onions and tomato. Photo courtesy California Avocado Commission. |
For The Blue Cheese Spread
6 1/2 ounce light garlic-and-herbs spreadable cheese
4 ounces Point Reyes blue cheese or other favorite blue cheese, crumbled
For The Burger Patties
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground sirloin
1/3 cup minced sweet onion
1/4 cup Zinfandel or other hearty red wine
3 tablespoons minced fresh oregano, thyme, and basil (in any combination)
1 tablespoon Tabasco Chipotle or other chipotle pepper sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons spicy seasoned salt (like chipotle sea salt)
Vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack
For The Grilled Avocado
12 fresh avocado slices
Balsamic vinegar, for brushing on the avocado slices
Spicy seasoned salt, for sprinkling on the avocado slices
12 bacon slices, pre-cooked
6 rolls of choice, split (we prefer brioche or whole grain rolls)
6 romaine lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry
6 large tomato slices (1/4-inch thick)
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Point Reyes blue cheese, made north of San Francisco, is a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week. We can’t get enough of it (and all of the creamery’s products). |
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Preparation
Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
1. MAKE the caramelized onions: Combine the onion, pepper sauce, broth, vinegar, oil, garlic and brown sugar in a 10-inch nonstick, fire-proof skillet. Cover with a lid and place on the grill rack. Cook the onion mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and most of the liquid is evaporated. Remove the pan and set aside.
2. MAKE the cheese spread: Combine the cheeses in a fire-proof saucepan, cover and set aside.
3. MAKE the patties: Combine the chuck, sirloin, onion, Zindandel, herbs, pepper sauce and seasoned salt in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form into patties to fit the rolls. When the grill is ready…
4. BRUSH the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover and cook, turning once until done to preference (5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium). Meanwhile…
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5. PLACE the saucepan with the cheese spread on the outer edge of the rack to warm the cheese mixture, just until it reaches a very soft, spreadable consistency. Remove the the saucepan from the grill and set aside. During the final minutes of grilling the patties…
6. BRUSH the avocado slices with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with a seasoned salt. Arrange on a rimmed nonstick perforated grilling pan coated lightly with oil, and grill alongside the patties for 1 to 2 minutes, turning as necessary.
7. ADD the bacon slices to the pan during the final 30 seconds of grilling the patties. When the avocados are nicely grilled and the bacon is crisp, remove from the grill. When the patties are cooked, remove from the grill, stacking to keep them warm.
8. PLACE the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.
9. ASSEMBLE the burgers: Spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture over the cut sides of the rolls. On each roll bottom, place a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, a patty, an equal portion of the caramelized onions, 2 avocado slices and 2 bacon slices. Add the roll tops and serve.
It’s worth the effort!
Tips To Make A Better Burger
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