It’s that time of the year to enjoy all your grill-roasted favorites!
But it’s hard to please everyone. Those with dietary restrictions can throw a real wrench in the works of your burger fun— but they don’t have to. There’s a burger for everyone, and we’re here with six very different options to excite each and every one of your guests.
From vegetarians to meat-lovers, you have lots of options. Check out these homemade burgers and pick your favorite.
SPOILER ALERT: While they’re all unique, each burger recipe has one special ingredient… Let’s see if you can figure out what it is!
1. Blended Chicken Cheeseburger
Chicken isn’t a meat you’d typically think to shape into a patty— but we’re not sure why it’s not more common! Lean ground chicken makes for one tasty burger, especially when blended with fresh mushrooms. Finely chopped White or Brown mushrooms can help to add the same savory sensation as beef, but with the airy texture of chicken (and extra nutritional benefits!). Plus, it’s a nice alternative for those who don’t eat red meat.
Seasoned with garlic and herbs, zesty onion and melty cheese, this chicken cheeseburger is a must-try at your next grill out. Barbecue on the grill or sizzle on the stovetop: the choice is yours.
Ingredients
5 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
16 oz ground chicken, 95% lean
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 tsp garlic and herb seasoning
6 hamburger buns
6 slices of your choice of cheese
Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles
2. Mighty Mushroom Blended Burger
Stick to a “traditional” hamburger— with a slight enhancement. Instead of using only ground beef, add savory sliced mushrooms for patties with more flavor and fewer calories. Top this simple yet delicious patty with your favorite toppings, like creamy mayo or crunchy bread and butter pickles. It’s sure to be a real crowd-pleaser, for even the pickiest of eaters.
Grilling these beauties? Blended burgers may sound intimidating to grill, but they’re not hard with the right tips. Check out these seven pieces of advice— like mixing the mushroom uncooked into the patties before grilling— to be a blended grill master.
Ingredients
8 oz mushrooms, any variety
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
16 oz ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
4 buns
Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles
You may have heard of a cocktail bar, but what about a “burger bar?” Set up topping stations and let your friends and family dress their own patties with this fun blog from KISS in the Kitchen.
3. Mighty Mushroom Lettuce-Wrapped Blended Burger
Have a friend on the keto diet? This keto-friendly recipe subs out the carb-heavy bun for crunchy lettuce. Plus, the fact that the meat is perfectly blended with mushrooms makes it a fat-free option with tons of vitamins, even antioxidant-like properties! Oh, and did we mention that this lettuce-wrapped wonder is also gluten-free?
Make a few patties without cheese for those watching their dairy intake— it just means double the creamy goodness for someone else! These blended burgers only require a few ingredients and are a safe bet for most guests. Plus, they’re mighty tasty!
Ingredients
8 oz White or Brown mushrooms
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
16 oz ground beef
½ tsp salt
4 slices cheddar cheese
1 tomato, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 head iceberg, green leaf or butter lettuce, rinsed then dried
4. Blended Turkey with Avocado Mushroom Burger
Swap beef out for lean ground turkey in this fun homemade burger recipe. Like many of the other patties in this article, it blends mushrooms into the meal to add vitamins, antioxidants and flavor— pairing nicely with the more subtle flavor of turkey and giving your burgers a more robust profile.
Baby spinach and ripe avocado give it a pop of healthy green while the Mexican seasoning and garlic add an explosion of flavor. We recommend topping these mushroom burgers off with a ripe tomato, a slice of crisp red onion and melted Swiss for the complete look and taste.
Ingredients
5-6 oz mushrooms (any you’d like), finely chopped
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 tsp Mexican or taco seasoning
1/2 small onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
1 cup baby spinach
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
6 hamburger buns
Swiss cheese slices, optional
5. Portabella Burger
Not all burgers use meat or a vegetarian blend to form a patty. Portabella mushroom caps, for instance, mimic the size and shape of a burger, without the need for a food processor. Avoid dishes by simply using a Ziplock bag to marinate the caps in a robust mix of EVOO, balsamic vinegar, soy and Worcestershire sauce— and fire up that grill! (Follow our tips here for grilling Portabellas if you never have before!)
Because these “burgers” are really mushrooms, they have a unique texture and umami flavor profile unlike anything some of your guests may have ever had! This meatless recipe is sure to be a hit with any vegetarian or vegan diets too.
Ingredients
4 Portabella caps, whole or 1” slices
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
4 buns of your choice
Burger toppings of your choice
Or, watch our video!
6. Mini Apple Blended Burgers
Did someone say, “sliders?” Even better, apple sliders? Apple pairs uniquely with beef and mushrooms in a wholehearted union of sweet and savory. (You can even add a bitter edge with the right sour apple!)
Replace the carb-full bun with a thin slice of your favorite fruit, and instead, splurge on the creamy cheddar cheese. These mini blended burgers will definitely be the statement piece at your next cookout, leaving guests bragging about your bizarre-yet-amazing bites all summer long.
Thank you to Chrissy from Snacking in Sneakers for this creative addition.
Ingredients
8 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb 85/15 ground beef
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper
5 slices of cheddar cheese, further cut into quarter squares
3 apples
Grill Better Burgers
Some of these homemade burgers are blended patties, incorporating finely diced mushrooms to enhance their taste and reduce your caloric intake. While just as (if not more!) delectable as traditional burgers, these blended creations may require a different grilling or cooking technique than you’re used to. Overcooking your mushrooms can dry out your patties, compromising the texture and flavor of your burgers.
Download our Summer Grilling ebook to discover the best way to grill mushroom-based burgers and kebabs!
