We’re giving hamburgers an Italian twist with these easy Pesto Burgers! There’s basil pesto sauce in the burger, and as a topping, so you get a burst of fresh pesto flavor in every bite. Add some cheese and tomatoes and you get juicy burgers that everyone will love.
Burgers are like a blank canvas. Sure, I love a plain juicy burger with a few toppings but I have a hard time not putting some kind of spin on them. So, how does a good burger dressed up with pesto and all the toppings sound to you? Delicious, right?!
If you’ve only been using pesto for pasta, I think you’re going to love this pesto burger recipe. The fresh flavors pair so well with the savory beef – and we’re not just using the pesto as a topping. It’s mixed right into the patty mixture so they taste amazing.
How to Make Pesto Burgers
- Combine ground beef, pesto, salt and pepper in a large bowl. That’s it! Just four ingredients that you combine together and form into patties.
- Divide the meat into 4 equal sized patties. Grill too desired cooking level. Add cheese a couple of minutes before the burgers are done.
- Toast the buns on the grill for a short time (1-2 minutes) and be careful not to burn them. Brush pesto on the buns. Add tomato, then red onion and top it off with arugula.
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Storing Pesto Burgers
- Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
mel’s expert tips
- It’s always good to use a light hand when you are mixing the meat with the pesto and seasoning. You don’t want to overwork it otherwise your burgers will be too dense. So, mix it just until combined (using your hands is the easiest way) and then gently form it into patties by lightly pressing it together and patting it into a burger.
- Use your favorite jarred pesto, or use your own homemade pesto recipe.
- In summertime, we always use the grill for burgers, but a grill pan or skillet on the stove works well too.
- When grilling, don’t press down on the patties with the spatula – this just squeezes the juices out, which you definitely don’t want. We want nice, juicy burgers so no pressing!
Pesto Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2/3 cup basil pesto 1/3 cup mixed with ground beef. 1/3 cup to spread on the buns
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices red onion
- 4 slices beefsteak tomato
- Arugula to top the burger
Instructions
- Preheat Barbecue grill or grill pan to 400°. Combine ground beef and 1/3 cup of pesto. Add salt and pepper and mix together in a large bowl
- Divide the meat into 4 equal sized patties. Grill too desired cooking level. We wanted medium done burgers. Cook 4-6 minutes per side. Add cheese a couple of minutes before the burgers are done.
- Toast the buns on the grill for a short time. 1-2 minutes but be careful not to burn them. Brush pesto on the buns. Add tomato, then red onion and top it off with arugula.
Recipe Notes
- You can use provolone cheese for a different flavor.
- Basil or lettuce can be used in place of arugula.
Recipe Nutrition
Variations and Add-ons
- We like fresh mozzarella cheese, but feel free to use any cheese you like. Provolone cheese is great as well.
- I like to top each burger with arugula, but you can swap the arugula for fresh basil leaves, spinach, or other lettuce that you like
- Instead of red onion, you could add some caramelized onions.
- Add some sliced avocados and bacon!
