The New Englandah Burgah
We used thick strips of bacon, which worked nicely.
Amanda mixes 1/4 cup of maple syrup right into the beef, along with some salt and pepper. Make sure not to over-mix the meat!
Amanda pats the meat into 1/2-pound patties, while Merrill slices up an apple.
We used bulkie rolls -- perfect for a New England-inspired burgah!
When grilling the apple slices, be careful not to drop them through the grate -- we lost a few to the coals!
They only take a minute or so.
The burgers should take about 4 minutes per side on a hot grill for medium rare.
Once you flip the burgers, brush them with a little maple syrup -- this is to taste, but you don't want to end up with candied burgers!
With the buns now on the grill too, things are getting crowded.
Move the burgers off to the side a little, and stack 'em with the goodies: first bacon and apple...
then cheese!
A minute with the grill cover on...
And they'll look like this.
Transferring these giant burgers from grill to bun requires a little concentration.
Save 581 Edit Recipe Add Photos
A&M say: We were intrigued not only by the name of this burger, but by the juxtaposition of savory and sweet. This could easily go too far, but Chef Jason manages to rein it in, inspiring harmony rather than a cacophony of flavors. The burger themselves have a faint sweetness from the maple syrup, and this is enhanced by the grilled apples; the salty crunch of the bacon and the tang of cheddar provide the perfect counterpoints. This is a burger that requires a ravenous appetite and begs to be eaten in generous mouthfuls, each including all of the different components. - A&M
Chef Jason Royal says: This came from my mind when I was a student at The Culinary Institute of America. We had to create a menu item based on where we lived. Since I am from New England I created this burger with ingredients that you can find or originate in New England. This was a hit at both the CIA and at the restaurant I worked at. - Chef Jason
Makes 2 large burgers
- 1 pound 80-85% lean Black Angus ground beef
- 1/4 cup Pure New England maple syrup, plus more for basting
- 4 thick slices applewood smoked bacon
- 1 MacIntosh apple
- 4 slices Vermont cheddar cheese
- 2 Bulkie rolls
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 bottles blueberry beer
- In a medium bowl, combine the beef, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well using your hands. Form into 2 8-ounce patties. Set aside in the refrigerator.
- Cook the bacon on the grill, in a skillet, or in the oven. Peel and slice the apple. Place in small bowl and sprinkle lemon juice over the slices to prevent browning.
- Place the apple slices on grill and cook for about one minute on each side. Remove and set aside.
- Grill the burgers over high heat, turn after 3 or 4 minutes and move to a cooler part of the grill. Drizzle some maple syrup over the burgers as they cook. Toast the buns as the burgers cook.
- When the burgers are cooked to your liking, take two slices or more of bacon and place on top of each burger. Arrange some apple slices on top of the bacon.
- Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger, cover the grill and let melt for about a minute.
- Place the burgers on the buns.
- Serve with blueberry beer.
- Enjoy.
- Your Best Beef Burgers Contest Winner!
Tags: apple, bacon, barbecue, barbecue, Beef, burgers, burgers, cheese, Maple syrup, New England, Summer
24 days ago ocmaribel
Can i make the patties ahead of time? A few hours? Will golden delicious apples work? or what is the most similar to a McIntosh Apple? Thanks. making these for dinner tonight :)
24 days ago Chef Jason Royal
you can definitely make patties ahead of time. it might even cause the meat to marinate with the syrup. I would really try to stick to a McIntosh because the Mac is a New England based apple. If you cant get Mac's, Macoun, Empire or Cortland would be the next best thing.
6 months ago COOK "IKE"
We use our syrup on Flap Jacks here in Texas we would use Picante sauce and onions in place of the apples we use onion (apples we use to bob at Haloween or to candy or to make pies but on a Burger, no thanks) Look forward to your next creation(s) however.
6 months ago Chef Jason Royal
Be daring and try the maple syrup and bacon. using picante and onions dont come anywhere close to what I have created. It really creates a wonderful flavor. Try something new, you might like it.
6 months ago COOK "IKE"
We use our syrup on Flap Jacks here in Texas we would use Picante sauce and onions in place of the apples we use onion (apples we use to bob at Haloween or to candy or to make pies but on a Burger, no thanks) Look forward to your next creation(s) however.
6 months ago COOK "IKE"
We use our syrup on Flap Jacks here in Texas we would use Picante sauce and onions in place of the apples we use onion (apples we use to bob at Haloween or to candy or to make pies but on a Burger, no thanks) Look forward to your next creation(s) however.
6 months ago rodolforamiscal
Wow,i love burgers.thanks for the recipes!!!
over 1 year ago MountainMornings
Wow I am going to try this one out, though I'll substitute ground turkey and maybe add some fresh herbs. Docs orders! We started our family in the Berkshires and would go to a sugar shack every spring to get our maple syrup fresh from the tree!
over 1 year ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Hi Chef Jason- I wanted to give you a shout out for such a great burger. I used Grade B maple syprup and hubby & I chowed on these de-lish-ous half pounders. It's a keeper for us, so many thanks!
over 1 year ago Chef Jason Royal
Altough you may cook the burger and other ingredients the way you want. I would not suggest cooking the bacon until crisp. I believe by doing that the crisp bacon overpowers the burger too much. by cutting the apple in rings and placing 2-3 slices per burger and then crossing the bacon on top of that makes it so you get it all in each bite. by placing the cheese on top it all holds it in place. given that you cut your cheese thick enough.
over 1 year ago teamom
Understand about the bacon. I should have said "dice".
over 1 year ago teamom
Good burger, sloppy presentation. After cooking the bacon, crumble it. Slice the apples in rounds; after grilling, dice them. Assemble according to instructions. Makes the burger easier to eat, and one still gets a bit of each ingredient in each mouthful.
Blueberry beer is an abomination ( in an humble Bavarian's view).
over 1 year ago wssmom
Best. Burgah. Ever.
6 months ago invitedchaos
*Evah.
6 months ago invitedchaos
*Evah.
6 months ago invitedchaos
*Evah.
almost 2 years ago ChefJune
this looks SO good! Wonder how many folks here know,though, that a "Bulkie roll" is NOT a hamburger bun? (SO Boston!)
almost 2 years ago Chef Jason Royal
I would really have to disagree with that. Sorry! A bulkie in New England terms is a large sandwich roll (Bulkie Roll Sandwich) A burger is considered a sandwich. We like to call them bulkie burgers. Though it might be different in certain parts of Boston, North Shore, Southie, The Cape, etc. Though in the case of The New Englandah Burgah, I dont think it really matters. Its soo good. lol.
over 2 years ago Annelle
One word--YUM!
over 2 years ago lilygibbs
these are so good. i think i'm gonna have to add maple syrup to all my burgers from now on...
over 2 years ago KelseyTheNaptimeChef
Congratulations Chef Jason!
over 2 years ago Lizthechef
From so many great recipes, congratulations on your BIG win!
over 2 years ago Midge
Way to go Chef Jason!
over 2 years ago adamnsvetcooking
Congrads!!!!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Congratulations!
over 2 years ago Sagegreen
Congrats on the final win! We really had two great choices, but I was swayed by the apple and maple combination.
over 2 years ago Chef Jason Royal
Thank you everyone once again for your votes.