Grilling Delight

Burger with Feta & Pickled Red Onions

Remember those pickled red onions we paired with pulled pork. Here is another dish that pairs nicely with them. Over the weekend, we grilled burgers & served them bun-less, topped with sliced feta, pickled red onions & parsley vinaigrette. 

ingredients:
1.5 lbs ground chuck (i used 80% fat)
2 oz feta, sliced
pickled red onions
1/2 bunch parsley
1.5 tsp olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
yield: 6 burgers

1. gently form 3/4 inch patties of even thickness with the ground beef, be careful not to over handle the meat as it will become tough and dry (avoid the meatloaf sandwich temptations & keep these patties simple!)

2. using your fingers make a shallow well in the top of each patty & season with salt & pepper to taste (note: do not salt meat until patties are formed - best time being within minutes before they hit the grill, as salt dissolves proteins and draws out moisture)

3. before you light the grill, brush the grate clean so the burgers will not stick. for even better results, brush the grate with olive oil using tongs & a paper towel, a note of caution here to be careful about potential flare-ups. light the grill & let the fire settle to a medium heat

4. cook the burger with the indented side up first. the burger should be easy to release when ready to flip, about 4-5 minutes. cook on the second side, another 4-5 minutes. do not press or flatten the burger - you want the juicy goodness to remain with the burger. a medium burger should register 155F, if using a meat thermometer.

5. to make the parsley vinaigrette - coarsely chop a handful of parsley, add a glug of olive oil, whisk in salt & pepper to taste. a splash of white wine vinegar makes it light & tangy.

serve burgers with a slice of feta, pickled red onions & a spoonful of parsley vinaigrette. enjoy! 

A lamb burger with melted brie and pickled red onions would work nicely, as well Lamb Kebabs with Pickled Red Onions & Cilantro-Mint Yogurt Sauce. Let me know how it works out if you give either of those a try!


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illustration source: real simple