Beef Burger with Bacon, Brie, and Caramelized Pears

The burger is a barbeque classic but if you’re craving more sophisticated fare, this upscale twist on the humble cheeseburger is it! The recipe itself is simple to prepare but full of flavor with toppings — crisp bacon, arugula, creamy, melted Brie, and caramelized pears with just a hint of cinnamon — that harmonize together in surprising ways.

This week’s recipe: Beef Burger with Bacon, Brie, and Caramelized Pears

Why we like it:

Kick off BBQ season with Sunset’s Thrill of the Grill Saturday, May 31st! You can taste-test samples and save big on our delicious selection of thrillable, grillable meats, from seasoned sausages and smoked ribs to grass-fed ground beef and vegetable-fed chicken. Strauss Grass-Fed Ground Beef, which is being sampled at our Long Grove location on May 31st, might just become the only burger meat you’ll ever use again. Strauss beef is 100% grass-fed and finished free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Their cattle are raised on sustainable American farms with grazed pastures which ensure beef that is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol, and is also higher in omega 3s,vitamin E, energy and nutrients.

Ingredients:

1 lb. Strauss grass-fed ground beef

2 tbsp. finely diced onion

1 egg, beaten

Salt and pepper

3 Bosc pears, not too ripe

3 tbsp. butter

4 tbsp. brown sugar

Pinch cinnamon

4-6 ciabatta rolls

Olive oil

Mayonnaise, for spreading

6-8 slices smoked bacon

Small wheel (or wedge) of Brie

Arugula, bunch

Preheat grill to medium-high.

In a large bowl, combine your ground beef, diced onions, and pressed garlic.

Beat the egg in a separate bowl and add to the ground beef. Add a few pinches of salt and pepper and then mix all the ingredients together. You can use a utensil, but it will work best with your hands. Cover with cling film and set aside while you prepare the toppings.

Cook the strips of bacon using your preferred method (microwave, stovetop, or grill) until they are crispy and then place on paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.

Now to caramelize your pears! Thinly slice them with the skin still on. Melt your butter in a pan over medium-high heat until it begins to brown. Add the brown sugar and stir into the butter until it dissolves to form a sauce.

Add your pears to the pan and cook until they are soft, browned, and sticky with the sauce, about 5-10 minutes. Add a pinch of cinnamon while the pears are cooking to give them just a little extra flavor! Remove from the heat and set aside.

Shape the ground beef mixture into patties. You should be able to make 4-6, depending how large you wish them to be.

Grill the burgers to your preference, or about 2-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the burger. While they are cooking slice the ciabatta rolls in half, brush with a little olive oil, and lightly toast them on the grill.

When they are almost done cooking, add your slices of Brie so the cheese can start to melt right on the burger.

Spread some mayonnaise on both sides of the toasted bun, followed by a handful of arugula, the burger patty, bacon slices, and a generous portion of caramelized pears to finish it off.

Even though this burger is rich and filling, it’s also so mouthwateringly delicious that you’ll wish you had room for seconds!