Grilled Italian Meatball Burgers Recipes

GRILLED ITALIAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
• Gently mix the beef, oregano, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl until just combined.
• Shape the meat into 4 6-ounce patties, about 5-inches in diameter. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty and lightly sprinkle the outside of the patties with salt and pepper. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium, adding a slice of cheese to each burger during the last minute of cooking.
• Mix the mayonnaise and balsamic vinegar together in a small bowl. Quickly toast the buns on the grill for about 1 minute and then spread with some of the mayonnaise mixture. Top with a burger and then some fresh basil leaves. Serve with giardiniera on the side.

GRILLED ITALIAN TURKEY BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine turkey, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Divide into 4 equal portions and form into hamburger patties.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill patties for about 4 minutes per side. Place provolone slices on the patties; continue to cook until cheese melts. Place ciabatta rolls on the grill and cook until browned to your liking, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Mix mayonnaise and pesto in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Spread onto the rolls. Place the turkey patties on the rolls and top with sliced red onion and lettuce.

GRILLED ITALIAN BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup cheese and seasonings. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-in.-thick patties., Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 4-5 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; grill, covered, until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes longer. Serve with marinara sauce.

ITALIAN MEATBALL KABOBS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls., On 12 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread meatballs and vegetables. In a small bowl, combine vinegar and oil., Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink and vegetables are tender, basting frequently with vinegar mixture and turning occasionally.

SMASHED MEATBALL BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the egg, breadcrumbs, milk and Parmesan and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and fennel seeds and cook for another minute. Set aside to cool.
• Add the ground beef and ground pork to a medium bowl, spreading it out, and sprinkle the surface evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, a few turns of black pepper, a good pinch of crushed red pepper, the oregano and the parsley. Add the cooled onion mixture to the meat mixture. Mix with your hands quickly until just combined (don't overmix). Divide into 6 parts and shape into balls. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or a griddle over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil. Cook the meatballs on one side until a brown crust is formed, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 minutes; then smash with a big metal spatula. Top each with a slice of cheese and cook until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F, about 5 more minutes.
• Toast the rolls or focaccia either in a skillet or the oven, then spread each side with marinara sauce. Top each with a patty and 2 big leaves of basil. Enjoy!

GRILLED ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except pasta sauce in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
• If using charcoal- build your fire and make it low-medium heat, about 225-250°F Coat the grates with oil or non-stick spray.
• Shape mixture into balls slightly smaller than a baseball, but bigger than a golf ball and then set them aside. UPDATE: I started using a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the mixture and it makes the meatballs just the right size.
• Pour half of the sauce in a grill (oven) safe stock pot or roasting pan that will be large enough to hold all the meatballs. Place the pot/pan on the grill away from the direct heat when the fire is ready.
• When the grill is ready place the meatballs directly over the heat and sear on both the top and bottom for 3-5 minutes per side.
• When you are done searing the meatballs, place them away from the direct heat (I have a top rack on my grill and place them here).
• Let them cook for 5-8 more minutes or until the meatballs are firm, but not fully cooked and then place all the meatballs in the pot/pan and place that directly over the heat source.
• Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F (you could also cut a meatball in half to make sure that the meat is no longer pink in the middle).

ITALIAN MEATBALL BURGER

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Remove casings from sausage. Combine sausage, oregano, basil, salt, fennel seeds, and ground sirloin. Divide beef mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2 inch patty.
• Place patties on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes. Turn patties over; grill 2 minutes. Divide fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over patties, and grill an additional 5 minutes or until a thermometer registers 165 degrees. Remove from grill; let stand 5 minutes.
• Place rolls, cut side down on grill rack; grill 1 minute or until toasted. Place 1 patty on bottom half, top with 2 tablespoons of sauce, and top with other half of roll.
• Raw burgers freeze well.