Frederic Melton
Blue cheese burgers are a real treat for cheese lovers. The key to a good blue cheese burger is to let the cheese shine, making it the star of the show. The most common method is to put a mound of cheese between two thin patties, sealing the edges to prevent leakage. Alternatively, you can mix the cheese into the beef for an even melt throughout the patty. When it comes to toppings, some like to keep it simple with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, while others prefer to add caramelized onions, bacon, or a fried egg. To take it up a notch, you can make a blue cheese sauce or dressing with mayo, sour cream, and rosemary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burger type | Blue cheese burger |
| Main ingredients | Blue cheese, ground beef, hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise |
| Other ingredients | Bacon, garlic, onion, egg, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, cinnamon, cumin, mustard, hot sauce |
| Patty preparation | Mix ingredients, shape into patties, refrigerate, grill |
| Bun preparation | Toast, butter |
| Toppings | Arugula, caramelized onions, green onion, red pepper flakes, parsley |
| Sauce | Blue cheese sauce, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, hot sauce |
| Sides | French fries, potato chips, coleslaw |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
How to choose the best blue cheese for your burger
Blue cheese has a strong and distinctive flavour, so it is important to choose the right type to ensure it complements your burger. The best blue cheese for your burger will depend on your personal preference and the other ingredients you are using.
Firstly, consider the strength of the blue cheese. If you are using other toppings and sauces with strong flavours, opt for a milder blue cheese such as Gorgonzola or Bleu Cheese. These cheeses have a more subtle flavour that will not overpower the other ingredients. On the other hand, if you want the blue cheese to be the star of the show, choose a stronger, more pungent variety such as Stilton or Roquefort.
Next, think about the texture of the blue cheese. You can use crumbled blue cheese, which will melt into the burger patty and create a creamy, tangy flavour. Alternatively, you can use thin slices of blue cheese, which will create a more distinct flavour and texture contrast. If you are using sliced cheese, it is a good idea to place the blue cheese crumbles underneath to prevent them from falling out.
Finally, consider the quality of the blue cheese. For a truly exceptional blue cheese burger, it is worth investing in a high-quality, specialty blue cheese from a reputable cheesemonger. However, if you are on a budget, pre-crumbled blue cheese packages from your local grocery store will also work well.
When choosing the best blue cheese for your burger, remember to consider the strength, texture, and quality of the cheese to create a delicious and harmonious flavour combination.
Kale and Feta: A Healthy Match Made in Heaven?
You may want to see also
Adding blue cheese to your patty
When preparing the beef mixture, it is recommended to use high-quality ground beef with a fat ratio of around 80/20 for juicy burgers with flavour. You can then add in your choice of seasonings and flavourings such as minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Remember to add the blue cheese crumbles and gently mix until just combined.
Once your mixture is ready, shape it into patties that are about 1/2 inch thick and larger than your bun. It is important not to overwork the meat, as this can affect the texture of your burgers. After shaping, place the patties in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
When cooking your blue cheese-infused patties, brush the surface of each patty with oil and place them on a hot griddle, grill, or frying pan. Cooking times may vary depending on your preferred doneness, but for a medium-rare burger, cook for 3 minutes on one side and then turn and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Let the patties rest for about 5 minutes before assembling your burger.
Cheese and Gut Health: A Balanced Diet
You may want to see also
Toppings and sauces to complement blue cheese
Blue cheese has a strong and distinctive flavour, so it's important not to overpower it with too many other ingredients. With that in mind, here are some toppings and sauces that will complement, rather than overwhelm, the blue cheese in your burger:
Sauces
- Mayonnaise: this can be plain or mixed with other ingredients to make a blue cheese sauce.
- Blue cheese sauce: this can be made by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, rosemary, garlic powder, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Hot sauce: habanero sauce is one option and can be made less spicy by removing the seeds or diluting with butter or margarine.
- BBQ sauce: this can be added to the beef mixture to give it a tangy, smoky depth.
Toppings
- Bacon: fry the bacon in a pan and then cook the burger patties in the bacon fat for extra flavour.
- Lettuce: bitter arugula or rocket can work well.
- Tomato: keep this to a minimum so as not to overwhelm the blue cheese.
- Onion: red onion or caramelised onion jam can add a sharper bite.
- Green onion or red pepper flakes: add these to the blue cheese sauce for some heat.
Cheese and Stomach Virus: Friend or Foe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to cook the perfect blue cheese burger
Blue cheese has a strong and distinctive flavour, so it's important not to overpower it with too many other ingredients. The key to a perfect blue cheese burger is to let the cheese shine. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking the perfect blue cheese burger:
Ingredients
For the burgers, you will need:
- Ground beef
- Blue cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Other seasonings, such as garlic, cumin, rosemary, cinnamon, or chives (optional)
For serving, you will need:
- Hamburger buns
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Mayonnaise
- Other toppings or sauces, such as BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or caramelised onions (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preparing your burger patties. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, blue cheese, and any desired seasonings. Mix gently until just incorporated—do not overmix.
- Shape the mixture into patties that are about 1/2 inch thick and larger than your hamburger buns.
- Refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
- While the patties chill, you can prepare any desired toppings or sauces. For a simple blue cheese sauce, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped herbs like parsley or rosemary.
- Preheat your grill or frying pan to a medium-high heat. If using a grill, oil the grill grates with tongs and a folded paper towel dipped in vegetable oil.
- Place the burger patties on the hot cooking surface and cook for about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Do not press down on the burgers while cooking, as this will release their juices.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your burgers. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be 145°F, while 160°F is ideal for medium.
- Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, transfer them to a plate and let them rest for about 5 minutes.
- While the burgers rest, toast your hamburger buns.
- Assemble your burgers by placing a generous amount of blue cheese sauce on the bottom bun, followed by the warm patty, and any desired toppings.
- Finish with the top bun and serve immediately.
Enjoy your perfect blue cheese burger!
Cheese: Effective Bait for Mouse Traps?
You may want to see also
Sides and drinks to accompany your blue cheese burger
Blue cheese is a strong and distinctive flavour, so it is important not to overpower it with too many other ingredients. That said, there are still plenty of sides and drinks that will complement your blue cheese burger.
A blue cheese burger is a hearty meal, so a fresh, crisp side like a salad can help to cut through the richness of the burger. A simple salad of bitter leaves like arugula or rocket can work well, or you could add some crunch with carrot or cucumber.
If you want something more substantial, French fries or potato chips are a classic burger side. You could also try coleslaw, which will add a refreshing tanginess to the meal.
For drinks, an ice-cold beer is a great option to accompany a burger. If you're looking for something non-alcoholic, sweet tea or an ice-cold Coke will also go well with the flavours of a blue cheese burger.
Finally, don't forget the condiments! Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are classic burger accompaniments, but you could also try something different like a blue cheese and rosemary mayonnaise, or a hot sauce.
Cheese Expiration: How Safe is it Past the Sell-By Date?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need blue cheese, ground beef, salt, pepper, a burger bun, and any toppings of your choice. Some popular toppings include lettuce, tomato, red onion, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
First, mix your ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, form the beef into a patty, making sure it is larger than your bun. Next, create a shallow indentation in the centre of the patty so that it stays flat when cooking. Finally, mix your blue cheese with the beef, or place it on top of the patty, and cook.
You can make a blue cheese sauce by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, and rosemary. Alternatively, you could make a hot sauce or use BBQ sauce.
