Vermonter Burger
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:
- Turn side burner on grill to medium high heat
- Chop bacon into bite size pieces and cook in cast iron pan until crispy, about 10 minutes
- Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate
- Leave bacon grease in pan, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes
- Lower heat to medium and add the thyme, salt and pepper
- Sauté for another 10 minutes, until onions are soft
- Add maple syrup and increase heat to medium high
- Cook for about 15 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed
- Remove from the heat and stir in the bacon and cider vinegar
- Keep warm until ready to assemble burgers
- Preheat the grill to medium high
- On a grill pan, add canola oil and mushrooms, cook for approximately 5 minutes
- Remove from heat and keep warm
Patties:
- In a bowl combine ground chuck, salt, garlic, thyme, cayenne and black pepper
- Form into 6 equal size patties
- Brush grill with oil and grill patties approximately 5 minutes per side
- Add a slice of cheddar cheese to each burger and move to the top rack
- Brush butter onto the inside pieces of the bakery rolls and grill until slightly charred, approximately 30 seconds per side
- Brush the top of the rolls with maple syrup
- Place burgers onto the bottom half of the roll
- Top with mushrooms and then a heaping pile of the maple onion bacon jam, approximately
- ¼ cup for each burger
- Serve with glasses of Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon