Burger

Whenever I am getting ready to go on my bi-annual cleanse I allow myself one binge day and of course that includes my “last meal.” (It’s not really a last meal per say, but my last “bad” meal for 11 days.) This round I knew I needed something completely indulgent. I decided on one of my favorite types of burgers, a classic patty melt. A juicy ground beef patty smothered in cheddar and Swiss cheeses, some caramelized onions, and of course some 1000 island dressing. Heaven between two toasted slices of buttered sourdough toast. Go big or go home right? Well if you are looking for one of the best burger recipes ever give this a try. It is totally basic and completely wonderful!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter, divided
1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices Swiss cheese
8 slices sourdough bread
1000 island dressing

STEPS

Mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Form the meet into four thin patties.
Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
Add the sliced onions and cook stirring frequently until they are a nice golden brown color, about 15 minutes.
While the onions are cooking heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the patties.
Cook the patties for 5 minutes and then flip over.
Add a slice of Swiss and a slice of cheddar to each patty.
Continue cooking the burgers for another 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Toast the slices of sourdough bread and spread one side of each slice with butter.
Spread the opposite side of each slice with a generous amount of 1000 island and keep them dressing side up.
Place a heap of the caramelized onions on 4 slices of the bread.
Add the cooked patty to the piles of onions and place the remaining slices of bread on top, dressing side down.
Binge!

This chicken burger is the love child of Mexican and American cuisine. It is delicious. Or should I say was delicious, because my husband and I each devoured ours. The entire thing. This had to be the most flavor packed chicken burger I have ever had. Usually when I think of turkey or chicken burgers I think of dry flavorless patties. Not the case with these bad boys! These jalapeño cheddar chicken burgers were incredibly moist and definitely not short on flavor. If you are looking for a way to spruce up the average burger, or even to cut some calories give these burgers a try. They are definitely unique and unlike any chicken burger you have probably ever had before, the perfect burger to enjoy with a refreshing Corona on a warm summer day. Ahhhhhh yeaaahhhhh. That’s what I’m talking about.

Note: These can definitely be cooked on the barbeque. I used my skillet because ground chicken tends to stick easily due to the low fat content.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground chicken
1/2 c yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 c fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 tsp jalapeño, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 c shredded cheddar
kosher salt and pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2–4 buns

FABULOUS TOPPINGS
guacamole
slices of cheddar cheese
lettuce
sliced tomatoes
sliced red onion

STEPS

Preheat oven to 350º.
Combine ground chicken, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, paprika, cheddar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Using your hands mix everything together.
Form the mixture into 2–4 patties depending on the size you want.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the patties and cook for 5–7 minutes per side or until cooked through.
While the patties are cooking toast the buns in the oven or 4–5 minutes.
Place each patty on a bun and garnish with whatever your heart desires. (I would use all the garnishes I recommended if I were you.)