Aussie Burgers
When I was growing up in Australia, all burgers came with tomato, lettuce and sliced beetroot out of a can. It was just a given. And I have to say I do love the earthy sweet complexity that a little beetroot adds to a burger. These days, I prefer to roast my own beets and combine them with the beef to give a lovely colour and to keep the burger nice an moist.
enough for: 2
takes: 90 minutes
1 beetroot
450g (1lb) minced (ground) beef
mayo, to serve
1 bag salad
1. Wrap beet in foil and roast at 180C (350F) for about an hour or until the beet is tender.
2. Peel the beet and puree in a food processor or finely chop with a knife. Stir the pureed or chopped beet with the beef with a spoon and season well.
3. Form the mixture into 2 large patties. Bake 180C for 15-20 minutes or until burgers are cooked to your liking.
4. Serve burgers with mayo on top and salad leaves on the side.
Variations
carb lovers / more substantial – serve burgers on burger buns or other bread rolls.
ketchup – serve burgers with ketchup as well as or instead of the mayo.
more veg – add grilled eggplant, peppers or mushrooms.
short on time – skip the beets or use pre-cooked vac packed or canned beets and consider cooking the burgers in a little oil in a frying pan on a medium high heat – just be careful they don’t burn.
beet-free – just skip the beetroot.
cheesey – after the burgers have been cooking for 10 minutes, sprinkle with your favourite melting cheese. I love gruyere but cheddar, emmental or even parmesan will be lovely.
vegetarian / vegan – make ‘Aussie’ lentil burgers instead. Whizz beets with a drained can of lentils or 250g cooked lentils and 1 cup almond meal. Form into 2 patties and pan fry in a little oil until well browned on both sides. You’ll need to be super careful when turning as they do like to fall apart. Vegans serve with vegan mayo or use hummus instead. Or you could try these Zucchini burgers.
egg-free – use vegan mayo or serve with hummus instead.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
beetroot (beets) – canned beets will keep in the pantry indefinitely. Commercially vac packed cooked beets usually keep in the fridge for months. Uncooked beets will keep in the fridge in a plastic bag for weeks. Can be frozen if needed.
minced (ground) beef – freeze it.
mayo – unopened in pantry or in fridge once opened.
salad – best to use for another meal.
Add to my Old Favourite Recipes
Not being from Australia, I would never have thought to put beets in my burger, but this was a subtly tasty combination. And the burgers looked so pretty. I only wish you had posted this a week earlier, because the pink burgers would have been perfect for a Valentine’s Day lunch. 🙂 Next year maybe I’ll make them and shape them into hearts.
Brilliant idea Susan!
Now I’ll have to remember that for next year 🙂