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Caprese Smashburger Melts

This Italian influenced melt uses fresh mozzarella, vine ripened tomatoes and fragrant basil on rustic Italian bread to put a fresh twist on a traditional patty melt.

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (75% to 80% lean)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese (about 1 ounce each)
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 8 slices Italian bread, toasted

Cooking:

  1. Heat griddle flat top or large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Meanwhile, divide beef evenly into four portions. Lightly shape into loose balls. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Evenly place balls on griddle; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until bottoms are browned and crispy. Turn balls smashing into thin patties with a spatula or burger press. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F. Remove from heat; top each patty with 2 slices of cheese. Keep warm.
  3. Assemble melts by placing half of bread on flat surface; top with patties, basil and remaining bread slices.
    4. Cook's Tip: Enjoy this melt with your favorite pesto or dip into balsamic vinegar.

    If desired, toast bread on the griddle by drizzling with olive oil and cooking until crisp and golden brown on both sides.

Nutrition Information

The Essential Ingredients

Safe Handling Tips

FAQs

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!