Blended Mushroom Beef Burger

Are you familiar with a blended burger? Well, if a blended mushroom beef burger is new to you, you are going to love this umami sensation! It is a delicious and healthier version of a classic burger.

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Even for those who insist they dislike mushrooms, these burgers are well received. It is almost impossible to discern a mushroom flavor. Just ask my husband. He has a strong aversion to mushrooms of all types. I didn’t try to slip these burgers by him but honestly told him I would be serving them for dinner. He was most surprised and that he loved them!

Meat consumption

Like others, I am planning meals that moderate meat consumption. Little changes are often the the best way to make dietary changes and blended burgers are a great inroad to healthier habits. We are not vegetarians and love a good steak or roasted beef but are making those meal choices less frequent. We are working on incorporating more plant-based foods, especially as we are getting older.

The mushroom to beef blend

A perfect blend of mushroom to ground beef is what makes blended burgers juicy and moist. The best proportions are about 30% mushrooms to 70% beef. That they are healthier and better for you is just an added bonus. And who’s not trying to eat healthier these days.

What is Umami flavor?

This was a new term to me though not to my kids. Even my grandson is familiar with it. But when I asked them to define it to me, I was rather confused. 

Here is the dictionary definition:

Umami is one of the five basic tastes and is best described as a savory or “meaty” flavor. The umami taste comes from the presence of the amino acid glutamate which is typically present in high-protein foods.  Umami is a pleasant savory taste. Mushrooms can substitute for meat because they appeal to our taste for protein thanks to levels of umami-related compounds. There’s 180 mg of free glutamate per three and a half ounces of mushrooms.

I hope this gives you a little better understanding or umami 🙂

Now, let’s get cooking blended mushroom beef burgers…

With a slightly damp cloth, brush away excess debris, if present, from the mushrooms. Don’t worry about washing the mushrooms as they can easily absorb water and become soggy.

The easiest way to finely chop the mushrooms is to slice them in half and toss into a food processor but you can simple chop them with a knife too. 

Make sure they are chopped finely, similar in texture to the ground beef.

Chop some fresh parsley and chives, if using.

In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, ground beef, parsley, chives, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and the egg.

Toss everything together until evenly combined. I find a pair of clean hands works the best here.

Shape mixture into 6 burger patties using a patty maker or your hands.

Ready for cooking.

Cooking blended mushroom beef burgers

Cook the burger patties on medium high heat in a non-stick skillet or grill pan until the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F.

Under the broiler

The burger patties can also be cooked under the broiler. I cooked them both ways and found no difference  so choose the method that works best for you.

Place the cooked blended burgers on buns, add the condiments of choice and prepare for a very tasty meal!

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Blended Mushroom Beef Burger

Yield: 6 patties

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 ounces mushrooms, any variety
• 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 1 Table spoon fresh chives, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 egg
• 6 Burger buns

Burger toppings

Fix your blended burger any way you like.  Here are a few suggestions…

• Cheese (Swiss, cheddar, American, Bleu Cheese or your favorite)
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Sliced red onion
• Bread and butter pickles
• Asian Zing Chili pepper soy and ginger sauce (my current favorite sauce is sweet with heat that I first tasted at Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant)

DIRECTIONS

With a damp cloth, brush away excess debris, if present. Don’t worry about washing the mushrooms as they can easily absorb water and become soggy.

Finely dice mushrooms or gently pulse in food processor.

In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, ground beef, parsley, chives, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and the egg.

Toss everything together until evenly distributed and combined. I find a pair of clean hands works the best here.

Shape mixture into 6 burger patties using a patty maker or your hands.

Cook the burger patties on medium high heat in a non-stick skillet or grill pan until each patty is brown on both sides and the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F.

Place the cooked blended burgers on buns and add the condiments of choice.

You might also like…

Stove Top or Oven Hawaiian Baked Beans

and for dessert….

Hazelnut Chocolate & Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Roll