Say Yee Haw to National Burger Month
Did you know that May is National Burger Month?! Well, it is. As a human living in Austin, Texas, I eat my fair share of beef, and my Austin born & raised fiance eats a TON of it. It’s safe to say that burgers are his #1 favorite food in the world. So I feel like I’m somewhat qualified, even if it’s through transference, to tell you about good beef and burgers. And yes, if you haven’t been to Texas and had our beef, it’s good. Really, really good. (May I recommend ALC if you’re ever in the neighborhood?)
The lovely people at the Texas Beef Council sent over their latest recipe for celebrating National Burger Month: the Western Burger. This burger keeps it simple… no crazy sauces or deep-fried mischief here, just solid beef with a slight twist… jalapeños right in the patty! Because Texans also like it spicy. Texas Beef Council says, “This Western Burgeris a perfect, guilt-free way to celebrate the month-long holiday and gives a nutritious spin on one of Texans’ summertime staples fit for any backyard gathering.” Works for me! So if you want this bad boy healthy, you can serve him in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun, but follow your heart/stomach.
Texas Beef Council’s Western Burger
1 pound ground beef (93% lean or leaner)
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped onion
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 romaine or iceberg lettuce leaves
1 tomato, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
Instructions:
Combine ground beef, jalapeño pepper, onion, cilantro, salt and black pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.
Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (on preheated gas grill, cook over medium heat, covered, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees F, turning occasionally.
Place each burger on a lettuce leaf. Evenly top with tomato, avocado and onion slices. Wrap lettuce leaves around burgers.
