When planning for a Fourth of July gathering, keeping things simple is best. Independence Day is the biggest grilling day of the year, and burgers are the perfect item to barbecue. There are a variety of ways to assemble your burger, and the wide array of burger toppings and condiments mean there’s a great burger option for everyone.
This week, try some flavorful, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth burgers. Here are some simple twists on traditional hamburgers your guests will surely love.
BARBECUE HAMBURGER
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
- 6 hamburger buns
- >> Barbecue sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
In a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Set aside 1 cup to serve with burgers.
In a large bowl, combine egg, oats, 1/4 cup of the remaining sauce, garlic salt, pepper and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 6 patties.
Heat grill on medium. Grill burgers, covered, for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until well done, basting with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce during the last 5 minutes. Serve on buns with reserved barbecue sauce. Serves 6.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving (based on 80% lean ground beef and reserved barbecue sauce): 610 calories, 22 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 105 mg cholesterol, 950 mg sodium, 78 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 52 g sugar, 27 g protein.
MUSHROOM-STUFFED CHEESEBURGERS
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 2 bacon strips, finely chopped
- 2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 2 pounds 90%-lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons steak sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 4 slices Swiss cheese, halved
- 8 hamburger buns
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove; drain on paper towels.
In bacon drippings, cook and stir mushrooms, onion and peppers until tender. Remove to a small bowl; cool completely. Stir in bacon.
In a large bowl, combine beef, steak sauce and seasoned salt, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 16 thin patties. Top 8 of the patties with cheese, folding cheese to fit within 3/4 inch of the edge. Spread with mushroom mixture. Top each patty with another patty, pressing edges to enclose filling.
Grill burgers, uncovered, over medium-high heat, or broil 4 inches from heat for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until well done. Serve on hamburger buns. Serves 8.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 420 calories, 20 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 90 mg cholesterol, 550 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 4 g sugar, 32 g protein.
CHEDDAR BACON HAMBURGERS
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup real bacon bits
- 4 hamburger buns
Heat grill on high.
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except the hamburger buns, using your hands. Shape into 4 patties.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Place patties on grill and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side or until well done. Serve on buns. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving (based on 80% lean beef): 520 calories, 30 g fat, 11 g saturated fat, 140 mg cholesterol, 800 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 4 g sugar, 36 g protein.
More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.
