Marinated Greek Burgers

These Greek burgers aren't really Greek, but they are infused with the flavors of Greece to create an excellent change-of-pace from the standard grilled ground-round on a soft bun. The burgers have a deep, robust flavor highlighted with Greek herbs and spices. I like serving them on Kaiser rolls with a slice of red onion, sliced cucumbers, and tzatziki sauce. (Larger image.) Serves 2.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pounds ground chuck
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. red wine
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
• 8 juniper berries, crushed then finely chopped*
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp. ground dried rosemary)
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• Tzatziki sauce**

Preparation:

1. Thoroughly mix together all the burger ingredients, form into 2 or 3 patties***, wrap separately in plastic, and refrigerate for at least four hours and as long as 24 hours to allow flavors to meld.

2. Mix all tzatziki ingredients together and chill.

3. Heat grill to medium heat.

4. Cook burgers about 5 minutes per side.

*Juniper Berries are the berries from a relative of the juniper shrubs used in landscaping. They have a delicious resinous flavor and can be found at upscale markets. If you can't find them, increase the minced rosemary by 50 percent.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

***Note: The patties should be about 2/3 of an inch thick. Using your thumb, create a 1/4-inch indentation in the center, this will help the center to cook completely and prevent the burger from drawing up into a rounded shape.

Tips for Better Burgers

User Reviews