Vermonter Burger

Serves 6 Regular-Sized Burgers
Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon

This rich red easily complements your homemade chicken dishes, red meats, game, and mildly seasoned pastas.

The Vermonter Burger has the greatest flavors of Vermont; maple in the form of maple onion bacon jam and sharp cheddar cheese. The combination is a slightly sweet and savory burger that’ll have you asking for seconds.

 

Ingredients:

Patties:

  • 2 Pounds ground chuck
  • 2 Teaspoons sea salt
  • 4 Cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • ½ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 Ounce package of sliced crimini mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon canola oil
  • 6 Fresh bakery rolls
  • 6 Slices sharp cheddar cheese

Maple Onion Bacon Jam:

  • 4 Large sweet onions, such as vidalia
  • ⅛ Cup cider vinegar
  • 8 Slices bacon
  • 1 Teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ Tablespoon thyme
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ Cup pure Vermont maple syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons of oil for brushing grill and buns

Instructions:

Maple Onion Bacon Jam:

  1. Turn side burner on grill to medium high heat
  2. Chop bacon into bite size pieces and cook in cast iron pan until crispy, about 10 minutes
  3. Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate
  4. Leave bacon grease in pan, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes
  5. Lower heat to medium and add the thyme, salt and pepper
  6. Sauté for another 10 minutes, until onions are soft
  7. Add maple syrup and increase heat to medium high
  8. Cook for about 15 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed
  9. Remove from the heat and stir in the bacon and cider vinegar
  10. Keep warm until ready to assemble burgers
  11. Preheat the grill to medium high
  12. On a grill pan, add canola oil and mushrooms, cook for approximately 5 minutes
  13. Remove from heat and keep warm

Patties:

  1. In a bowl combine ground chuck, salt, garlic, thyme, cayenne and black pepper
  2. Form into 6 equal size patties
  3. Brush grill with oil and grill patties approximately 5 minutes per side
  4. Add a slice of cheddar cheese to each burger and move to the top rack
  5. Brush butter onto the inside pieces of the bakery rolls and grill until slightly charred, approximately 30 seconds per side
  6. Brush the top of the rolls with maple syrup
  7. Place burgers onto the bottom half of the roll
  8. Top with mushrooms and then a heaping pile of the maple onion bacon jam, approximately
  9. ¼ cup for each burger
  10. Serve with glasses of Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon