7 Cheeses You Need to Try on a Burger

[Celerity]

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-cheeses-for-burgers



For me, a burger without cheese is simply incomplete. There’s something so glorious about the way those beef juices marry with a tangy slice of melting cheese. I love me a simple Wisconsin Cheddar, and most days I welcome that orange slice on my burger, but sometimes I get a hankering for a little more funk. Honestly, there are just too many cheeses in this world for cheddar monogamy. Of course, not all cheeses are meant for burgers. Some won’t melt, and others are simply too precious for anything other than a solo savoring session. But when you want to get a little weird with your cheeseburger, treat yourself to one of these bad boys.



Fontina Val d'Aosta

This raw milk rockstar is basically an Italian Gruyère. It has a robust, meaty flavor with hints of toasted nuts and a texture so silky it’s often used in fondue recipes. To make it extra melty, bring it to room temperature, slice it thin, and layer generously. Finish it off with some pickled sweet peppers, which really tie that thick flavor together. I also recommend pouring a glass of red vino for this Italian Stallion.

Burrata

Shreds of cream-soaked mozzarella stuffed inside a sturdy mozzarella shell, burrata makes for some explicit burger porn. The mozzarella melts into the meat while the center oozes all over the patty. There’s a lot of juice happening here, so the build is really important. Start by layering the bottom bun with a handful of arugula to avoid a soggy bottom. Slice the burrata in half, then place it cut-side-down on the patty, so the beef juices meld with the cheese’s cream center. Finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic and some chopped roasted tomatoes.



Smoked Blue

Blue cheese is a classic choice, but a smoked one really takes that bomb flavor combination to the next level. It’s pungent, fudge-y, and full of bacon-y flavors that complement the grilled patty’s natural smokiness. Slices are way easier to handle than crumbles, so bring the wedge to room temperature and use a sharp knife to get the cleanest cut. A little bacon onion jam is really the only way to complete this masterpiece.



Bucheron

This grassy French log brings a trio of seductive textures: the dense center is surrounded by a soft, gooey layer and a firmer, snow white rind. It doesn’t really melt as much as it relaxes into the burger. Classic fresh goat cheese is also great on a burger, but it’s not quite as exciting as Bucheron’s punchier grassy flavor. It’s a rich, flavorful combination, so break it up with some sweet fig jam and peppery arugula.

snip

[safeinOhio]

1. I found these at a Coastal California restaurant.

Lamb sliders, stuffed with goat cheese. On a wheat bun with onion and green olives on top. Been making then at home now.

[Celerity]

2. sounded so good I looked it up, found this great Moroccan twist on them

https://idealistfoods.com/recipes/moroccan-inspired-lamb-sliders/




Moroccan Inspired Lamb Sliders

True Story: These sliders are so good, they inspired a vegetarian to eat meat! The mixture of lamb and beef with fresh herbs and ras el hanout, my mouth is watering already! I added some grilled vinegar glazed figs and pickled onions as well, SO GOOD!


Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 10 sliders


Ingredients

1/2 lb ground lamb
1/2 lb ground beef
1/4 cup onion, diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (plus more for on top)
2 tbsp mint, chopped (plus more for on top)
1 tsp ras el hanout (Moroccan spice mixture)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground chipotle powder (optional if you want a little heat)

Vinegar Glazed Grilled Figs

4 each figs
2 tbsp vinegar (I used a pomegranate vinegar, balsamic would also be good)

Finish

10 each mini hamburger buns
1 batch pickled onions (make these ahead)
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup mint, chopped

Instructions

Do Ahead

If you need to make the <a href="https://idealistfoods.com/recipes/quick-pickled-onions/">pickled onions</a> try and make those 2 hours before you want to serve so they can pickle a bit!
Start your coals, get them nice and hot medium high or so.

Moroccan Inspired Lamb Sliders

Combine the ground lamb, ground beef, diced onion, chopped cilantro, chopped mint, ras el hanout, cumin, and salt in a bowl and mix together thoroughly with your hands.
(Optional) add the ground chipotle chiles to give it a bit of spicy kick!
Shape into about 10 small hamburger patties.

Vinegar Glazed Grilled Figs

Slice your figs into about 1/4 inch slices.
Toss with the vinegar.

Grilling

On your hot grill (medium high or so) add the hamburgers and cook 2 minutes or so each side. They cook fast but are so juicy they can hold up to a little more heat.
Cook the fig slices about 1 minute each side.
Add your buns and grill about 1 minute insides down.

Finishing

Take your loot, piled high from the grill, and build your lamb sliders. Add a burger, top with some fig slices, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro and mint. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

This spice mixture with the lamb and beef is so mouthwateringly good that I can't say enough. These lamb sliders can easily be made into regular size hamburgers, into meatballs, or as a rough sausage on a rosemary skewer! They are perfect party food and can be made spicy if you want, your call! I've also done them with an herbed yogurt sauce if you want to bring those flavors into the slider, quite delicious as well!

[Paladin]

3. Jeez! Burger porn!

SO much nicer than the gun porn that's inflicted on us here, every once in a while.

[Celerity]

4. Burgers a googolplex, guns ZERO

[cayugafalls]

5. I'll bite...

They look so good and I'm so hungry.

Yum.