Print Options:

Dried Tomato Pesto-Filled Burgers





Yields
Makes 6 burgers

These inventive burgers have a layer of tangy dried-tomato pesto in the center. The jalapeño mayonnaise gives them extra zip.

 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
 2 tablespoons pine nuts
 2 tablespoons drained (reserve 2 tablespoons oil) coarsely chopped oil-packed dried tomatoes
 1 tablespoon tomato paste
 2 cloves garlic, peeled
 1 1/2 pounds ground beef round or sirloin
 1/3 cup beer
  About 1 teaspoon salt
  About 1 teaspoon pepper
 6 hamburger buns (about 3 oz. each), split in half horizontally
 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.; optional)
  Jalapeño mayonnaise
Step 1
1

In a blender or food processor, whirl parmesan cheese, pine nuts, dried tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and 2 tablespoons reserved oil from dried tomatoes until mixture is a chunky paste, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

Step 2
2

In a large bowl, mix ground beef with beer, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until well combined. Divide meat mixture into 12 equal portions and flatten each portion into a 4-inch round.

Step 3
3

Top each of 6 of the rounds with about 1 tablespoon of the dried-tomato pesto. Top with remaining 6 rounds, pressing edges together to seal.

Step 4
4

Lay burgers on a barbecue grill over a solid bed of hot coals or high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 2 to 3 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook burgers, turning once to brown both sides, until meat around filling is no longer pink (cut to test; note that pesto is reddish brown), 6 to 8 minutes total. Also lay bun halves, cut side down, on grill and toast 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 5
5

With a wide spatula, transfer burgers to bun bottoms. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top each burger with about 2 tablespoons feta cheese, if desired. Cover with bun tops. Serve with jalapeño mayonnaise to add to taste.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size


Amount per serving
Calories601
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g35%

Saturated Fat 8.6g43%
Cholesterol 76mg26%
Sodium 1414mg62%
Total Carbohydrate 54g20%

Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Protein 34g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.