Burger Mania

Skip the knife and fork! Make a succulent burger the center of your supper.

• Instead of putting a slice of cheese on top of your burger, let it melt right in the center of the pattie 

Ingredients

• 1 pound(s) lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon(s) garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon(s) chili powder
• 1/4 pound(s) Colby cheese
• (optional) Baby carrots
• (optional) Ranch dressing
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine 1 lb. lean ground beef, 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1 tsp. chili powder and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
2. Shape mixture into 8 patties. Top 4 of the patties with a small slice of Colby cheese and cover with remaining 4 patties; press edges gently together to seal in cheese.
3. Warm a large nonstick skillet misted with cooking spray over medium heat. Add burgers andcook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Serve burgers on toasted buns and garnish with your favorite toppings. Put out some baby carrots and ranch dressing for munching.

• Mini Ranch Turkey Burgers: These bite-size burgers are great for cookouts, since they leave plenty of space on your plate for sides (and dessert!). 

Total Time: 15 min

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pound(s) (ground) turkey
• 1 medium carrot, shredded, about .5 cups
• 1  green onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup(s) ranch salad dressing, plus extra for topping
• 1/4 cup(s) ranch salad dressing, plus extra for topping
• teaspoon(s) pepper
• 12  (mini ) potato rolls or other small buns, split
• lettuce, tomato and/or red onion, for garnish, optional

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Directions

1. Preheat grill. Combine ground turkey in a bowl with shredded carrot, green onion and dressing until blended, but don’t overmix.
2. Shape turkey mixture into twelve 1/2-inch-thick mini burgers; sprinkle on both sides with pepper. Mist both sides of burgers with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place burgers on hot grill rack over medium heat; cook for 6 to 7 minutes, or until they reach desired doneness, turning once. If you like, toast rolls on grill during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Serve burgers on buns. Top with more ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato and/or red onion, if you like.

• BLT Burgers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup(s) ketchup
• 1/4 cup(s) light mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon(s) yellow mustard
• 1 1/4 pound(s) lean ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) pepper
• 8 slice(s) bacon
• 4  sesame hamburgers buns, split
• Lettuce, tomato and/or onion, for garnish

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Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high (or preheat your broiler)
2. Stir ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard in a bowl until blended; set aside.
3. Shape beef into 4 patties, each 3⁄4-inch thick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap each burger with 2 strips of bacon, crossing each other at right angles.
4. Place patties on the hot grill rack (or broiler pan) and cook about 10 to 12 minutes, or until they reach your desired doneness, turning once. Place the buns on the grill to toast during last 2 minutes of cooking.
5. Serve burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato, onion and ketchup sauce. Make some frozen fries for a side dish.