Red, white and……
Green?
You’d think it was Christmas in July.
Nope, just some last-minute 4th of July burgers!
These pesto burgers are going to save your butt.
They please meat eaters and vegetarians and are the easiest burgers are around. No fuss!
If you are seriously low on time you skip the homemade pesto and grab some from the store. Oh, who am I am kidding, making pesto takes no time. The real reason you don’t want to make it is most likely because you do not want to have to wash the food processor. I feel you. I hate that task like no other. So many parts.
I love both burgers.
The grilled mushrooms rule and I prefer them to the chicken, but then there is my mom who hates mushrooms and loves the chicken burgers. I figured I’d just show you both since you would probably like a little something for everyone tonight. It makes it super easy to accommodate all eaters!
The toppings though?
The toppings make the burgers. The melty fresh mozzarella, fresh basil pesto and the marinated roasted tomatoes are incredible. Summer flavors at their best. That is for sure!
So I am keeping this real short. Today is all about grilling, eating and celebrating Americas birthday!
Oh yes!
Oh, and if you live outside the US and today is just a Thursday like any other, I would totally celebrate that. I mean Thursday is one day closer to Friday and that is definitely something to celebrate!
Pesto Portobello Mushroom, or Chicken, Burgers with Marinated Roasted Tomatoes
Serving Size: 4 |
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken, turkey or 4 large portobello mushrooms
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoon pine nuts
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 4 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- 4 [Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Whole Wheat Focaccia Buns| http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/parmesan-garlic-zucchini-whole-wheat-focaccia-buns/] or whole wheat buns of your choice, toasted
- Marinated Roasted Tomatoes
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup basil, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
Instructions
Marinate the tomatoes, whisk together all ingredients except tomatoes in a bowl. Add tomatoes and then cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, can even be left overnight.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
After 15 minutes remove garlic cloves and add the halved tomatoes along with the remaining liquids to a baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, remove from the oven and set aside.
While the tomatoes marinate and roast, work on the burgers. Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor or blender and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil and process until smooth. Add the cheese and pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add the crushed red pepper, if using.
Combine 3 tablespoons of the pesto, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and ground chicken and form into 4 patties. Or if using the mushrooms rub them with about a tablespoon of olive oil and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place on grill or skillet and cook on each side until golden and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Once you flip the burgers, or mushrooms, top with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese. Grill until the cheese is melted and the burgers, or mushrooms, are cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Place the burger on the bottom of a bun and top with a generous amount of pesto and a handful of the roasted tomatoes. Add the top bun and dig in!
Happy, happy 4th of July!
7am and I’m craving burgers! What a perfect combination of some of your most delicious recipes! Have a great 4th!
Haha! Thank you, Rachel! Happy 4th of July!
Wonderful post. Your photos are exotic and delicious!! Happy 4th of July to you and yours!
Thank you! Happy 4th to you too!
Must make these now 🙂
Thanks!
Your last minute burgers look awesome! I think I’ll have to come over your house for the next July 4th celebration 🙂
Yes, you must!
Your food photos are amazing. You can share your mouth watering photos with us at foodienewz.com. foodienewz.com is a new food sharing site and we actually try our best to promote your food photos. At foodienewz.com all your food photos will be published without any editorial review so I really hope you come and join us.
Thank you!
I can totally see this being my favourite summer burger…everything about this is perfection! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it’s a MUST-try.
-Shannon
Thank you, Shannon!
Wow – these are gorgeous! I love that you can use mushrooms or chicken – sometimes I just can’t do meat (the baby is weird about it, I guess!), so I love having a veggie option too 🙂
Glad to please both you and your little one!! Thanks Jennifer!
I just recently discovered your blog thanks to Pinterest. This is the second of your recipes that I’ve made over the last 2 days. Absolutely delicious! My husband and kids aren’t always excited when I try new recipes, but they all agree it is going to be a really tasty summer… and we haven’t even tried a dessert yet!
Yeah!! That excites me so much! Thank you, Stacey! I am so happy you guys are enjoying my recipes!