Burger season is in full swing. What is your favorite topping? I love traditional mayo, ketchup and mustard. But I also like to mix things up by using different condiments like say Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Bacon Aioli or Caramelized French Onion Dip. It’s fun. And now I have a new favorite topping to add to the list. And this one just screams summer: Grilled Tomato and Basil.
Every summer I plant a garden. Well I should say every summer since we’ve owned our home. In these past 5 years, I have been learning what is best to plant for our family. I’m learning what we eat a lot of so we should plant versus what we should just keep buying at the grocery store. For instance, we love zucchini but we don’t eat nearly as much as a zucchini plant grows. We also don’t eat a ton of carrots so I don’t plant those either.
On the other hand we eat a ton of green beans so I plant a few of those. Kale and cucumbers are the same.
But tomatoes? They are in a league all their own. I snack on them like they are candy. To me there is nothing better than a perfectly sun-ripened fresh tomato. Each year I plant at least 4 plants. I plant a green zebra plant, a cherry tomato plant, a plum tomato plant and then usually a variety that I haven’t tried yet. This year I picked up a “bloody butcher” plant. They are supposed to give me tomatoes early which I’m pretty stoked about. I already have about 5 growing. So. Excited.
I first got the idea to make this grilled tomato basil burger when I was thinking about this Roasted Tomato & Smoked Provolone Grilled Cheese. I got to thinking that that would be a great way to top a burger. But then I started thinking that since the grill would be on why not grill the tomatoes first. Someone suggested to me that I put them in an aluminum foil pouch and grill them that way so that all of the juices would accumulate in the pouch.
I liked where this was going.
I decided to spruce things up a bit with some fresh garlic and basil leaves.
The tomato flavor is so concentrated. If you are a tomato lover you are going to love this. Not only do you scoop the scrumptious tomatoes onto the burger, you spoon all of the juices as well. It really is a tomato lovers dream.
The basil and smoked provolone (pssst…Tillmaook is the best) are just bonuses.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices smoked provolone (such as Tillamook)
- Hamburger buns
- mayonnaise
- 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 8 basil leaves (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Prepare the burger patties. Mix together ground beef, Worcestershire, salt, garlic and pepper together. Use your hands to mix well. Divide into 4 equal parts and form into patties. Make the patties a little bigger than the burger buns because they will shrink when cooking.
- Mix the cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper together in a bowl. Toss to coat. Place on top of a sheet of aluminum foil and bring the foil up at the sides to close them, then close the top.
- Place tomatoes on the grill and cook 5 - 7 minutes or until they burst and release their juices. Remove tomatoes from the grill, allow to cool for a few minutes. Carefully open the aluminum foil and sprinkle with basil.
- Place the burgers on the grill and grill until cooked through, about 3 - 5 minutes per side. During the last minute place the provolone on top of the burger. Continue cooking until it melts slightly.
- To assemble a burger: place patty on bottom bun, spoon tomatoes over the top. Spread mayonnaise on top bun and place on top of burger. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Thank you so much! :)
What a great way to jazz up a burger.
These burgers look awesome! Cannot wait to try, thanks for sharing :)
Basil and tomatoes are a match made in heaven! I would probably skip the basil in the grilled tomatoes, though, and just make a pesto. Just because I cannot have a burger without pesto. Simply impossible. Must try these grilled tomatoes, though! And my S.O. doesn’t like tomatoes, so more for me! :D
I am all about anything with basil right now. I’m even having a “pesto party” on my blog this week. I love the idea of adding the bright flavors of my favorite summer herb to burgers! I will be adding this flavor profile to the very next burger that comes off of our grill! Thanks for the inspiration!
I think this looks like the best summertime burger topping EVER! I must try this as soon as my garden tomatoes are red and ready!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
Seriously, I am the same way. It doesn’t get any better than fresh summer tomatoes. These burgers look fantastic – perfectly packed with the flavors of summer!
I totally agree with you about the tomatoes. I have 14 plants right now and hopefully that means I don’t have to compete with the birds as much for my tomatoes! This looks fantastic!
Deseree, I don’t know how you do it, day in and day out, but your food ALWAYS looks amazing!! Simply stunning and I want to take a disturbingly large bite of that juicy burger!!
What an interesting idea. Also, your photographs look so good, I want to eat my computer screen!
I saw a recipe like this in a restaurant one time! Looks amazing!
Perfect burger…tomato and basil. I think I’d still add mayo and ketchup, because I am crazy.