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Another Year, Another Brilliant Top Five Build a Better Burger Finalists!

Another Year, Another Brilliant Top Five Build a Better Burger Finalists!

The winner has been decided for 2024’s Build a Better Burger grand prize of $25,000 for the best homemade burger recipe. The prize went to Jennifer McNabb, whose one-on-one interview you can read here. However, let’s take time to meet all top 5 finalists from Build a Better Burger’s 34th annual recipe contest!

Grand Prize Winner: Jennifer McNabb | Nashville, TN
The Burger Diane | Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon

BBB 2024 Winner

Jennifer McNabb’s The Burger Diane is a savory masterpiece featuring juicy, seasoned beef patties grilled to perfection and topped with crispy bacon, leafy arugula, and a special Diane sauce featuring mushrooms, shallots and a triple cream sherry. 

Opening up about her inspiration behind the dish, Jennifer said: “My husband and I LOVE the dish Steak Diane, so it was natural to create a burger version! It’s fancy ‘just enough,’ and we agreed it was better than a restaurant. A pretty traditional but quick Diane sauce melts all over the whole beef burger along with smoked bacon and arugula. This is absolutely NOT a first date burger because you are going to need multiple napkins — please do not talk with your mouth full of this!”

2nd Place: Caitlin Gola | Neptune City, NJ
Too Gouda Be True Burger | Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon

Too Gouda to be True

In second place and taking home the crown of the People’s Choice burger is Caitlin Gola’s Too Gouda Be True burger, a savory beef burger seasoned to perfection before being grilled with shiitake mushrooms cooked inside. Sliced gouda cheese, caramelized onions, microgreens and a delectable bacon aioli make this burger a standout.

When asked about the details behind her burger, Caitlin said: “This delicious burger is made with a blended patty crafted from premium 80/20 beef and diced shiitake mushrooms, delivering a rich flavor that’s both savory and unique. Topped with caramelized onions that add a touch of sweetness and a dollop of smoky bacon aioli, this burger has an explosion of flavor in every bite. Fresh microgreens provide a delightful crunch and a burst of freshness, all nestled within a soft, buttery brioche bun. The TOO GOUDA BE TRUE BURGER is simply too GOUDA to miss!”

3rd Place: Merry Graham | Newhall, CA
White Chicken Chili Burger | Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

White Chicken Chili Burger

Coming in third is Merry Graham’s White Chicken Chili burger, which trades in a traditional beef patty for a ground chicken base that’s seasoned with green chiles, cilantro, salsa verde, jalapeños and spices. Once you top it with roasted poblano peppers, sliced avocado, crunchy tortilla chips, Pepper Jack cheese and a unique bean spread made from pinto beans, green chiles and more salsa verde, you’ve got a burger with a fiery kick and a whole lot of flavor!

When asked to describe her burger, Merry said: “Craving comfort? Try the White Chicken Chili Burger! This burger brings the fiesta! Juicy ground chicken patties seasoned with green chiles, salsa verde, southwestern spices and a hint of jalapeño are nestled on garlic oil toasted buns. A creamy white bean spread adds a touch of my regional-home flair, while fire-roasted poblano peppers and fresh citrusy avocado-mash create a burst of flavor in every bite. Perfectly paired with a crisp Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc, this burger is a tastebud vacation waiting to happen at home!”

Finalist: Thomas Fleck | Pittsburgh, PA
Yakiniku Bison Burger | Wine Pairing: Strawberry Lemonade Wine Cocktail

Yakiniku Bison Burger

Also in the running was Thomas Fleck’s Yakiniku Bison burger, which offers a bold fusion of flavors, starting with a bison-wagyu mixed beef base that’s seasoned with black garlic and Himalayan sea salt. The toppings really give this burger its character, starting with sliced Gruyère cheese and then adding an Asian slaw, a drizzle of sweet-but-hot Yakiniku sauce, a slice of coconut-fried pineapple fritter, and a spoon of Peppadew jam blended with a Thai sweet chili sauce.

When asked to describe his burger, Thomas zeroed in on the flavor profiles: “A little sweet, a little fiery and a whole lot of exotic. This unique burger’s got an amazing amount of flavors that complement each other. It is a celebration for the palate.”

Finalist: Tamie Joeckel | Katy, TX
Green Chili Enchilada Burger | Wine Pairing: Pink Moscato

Green Chili Enchilada Burger

Last but not least in the running was Tamie Joeckel’s Green Chili Enchilada burger. This burger brought the heat with a beef patty packed with habanero peppers, Pepper Jack cheese and bacon bits. The burning love continued with notable toppings such as a special Green Pepper sauce, which blends poblanos, jalapeños and tomatillos, a Mayo Dill sauce, crispy fried onion rings and slices of Pepper Jack cheese. 

When asked about what inspired her wine pairing choice, Tamie replied: “My mom and sisters have always loved Sutter Home Pink Moscato — and not just because it’s our favorite color — but because it’s a great pairing with super spicy food like my burger.”

 

This year’s Build a Better Burger finalist burgers really brought the heat — both on the grill and in their flavor profiles! If you’re looking for even more inspiration behind your next great burger, head on over to BurgerBase.com to browse over 10,000 burger recipes and wine pairings. 

That’s a wrap for this year; we’ll see you in 2025 for the 35th year of Build a Better Burger, so get your buns ready!

Congrats to the BBB 2024 Grand Prize Winner!

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Congrats to the BBB 2024 Grand Prize Winner!