The New Englandah Burgah

By • July 19, 2010 • 71 Comments


Author Notes: 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 JasonChef Jason Royal

Food52 Review: 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&MA&M

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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Place the apple slices on grill and cook for about one minute on each side. Remove and set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger, cover the grill and let melt for about a minute.
  7. Place the burgers on the buns.
  8. Serve with blueberry beer.
  9. Enjoy.

Tags: apple, bacon, barbecue, barbecue, Beef, burgers, burgers, cheese, Maple syrup, New England, Summer

Comments (71) Questions (2)

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24 days ago Sashinka

This sounds fantabulous!!!

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4 months 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 :)

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4 months 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.

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9 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.

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9 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.

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9 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.

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9 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.

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9 months ago rodolforamiscal

Wow,i love burgers.thanks for the recipes!!!

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almost 2 years 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!

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almost 2 years 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!

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almost 2 years 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.

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almost 2 years ago teamom

Understand about the bacon. I should have said "dice".

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almost 2 years 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).

Me

almost 2 years ago wssmom

Best. Burgah. Ever.

Stringio

9 months ago invitedchaos

*Evah.

Stringio

9 months ago invitedchaos

*Evah.

Stringio

9 months ago invitedchaos

*Evah.

Junepr05

about 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!)

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about 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.

Pict0051

almost 3 years ago Annelle

One word--YUM!

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almost 3 years ago lilygibbs

these are so good. i think i'm gonna have to add maple syrup to all my burgers from now on...

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almost 3 years ago KelseyTheNaptimeChef

Congratulations Chef Jason!

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almost 3 years ago Lizthechef

From so many great recipes, congratulations on your BIG win!

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almost 3 years ago Midge

Way to go Chef Jason!

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almost 3 years ago adamnsvetcooking

Congrads!!!!

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almost 3 years ago drbabs

Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Congratulations!

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almost 3 years ago Sagegreen

Congrats on the final win! We really had two great choices, but I was swayed by the apple and maple combination.