Why not barbecue Gourmet Burgers for July 4?

Choices are plentiful when hosting a barbecue for a festive holiday like the 4th of July. For those who have run the gamut of choices such as chicken, steak, and ribs, why not return to the tried-and-true grilled hamburger – perhaps with a dressy twist?

Since we have been seeing a growth trend in the burger business, with more and more of these small specialty chain locations popping up, it appears the love Southern Californians have for the hamburger has not waned.

The truth about burgers and their consumers is some like it simple, some like it complicated and messy, and others just like a unique twist. Simple is easy. Complicated and messy means throw everything you have in the kitchen on the table and let them pile it on to their heart's delight. It's the unique twist that will be discussed here. Browse these recipes and consider some ideas:

The Stuffed Burger

Stuffing the inside of a hamburger patty with a savory surprise really results in a yummy burger. Choices for combinations of stuffing items are numerous, and can be more easily planned around complementary taste themes.

Begin the process by planning for one-fourth to one-third pound burgers. Form balls of ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) weighing that amount each. Then, divide each ball in half and pat out two round patties. The strategy is to put the stuffing ingredients in the center of one meat patty, top it with the other meat patty, and pinch together the two around the edge to seal it into one plump patty. Caution: Don't overstuff the patty – use modest amounts of each ingredient so the burger patties seal up around the edges well.

For a Southwest Stuffed Burger – try using diced roasted (Ortega) chiles, small cubes of pepper jack cheese, and diced red onion.

A Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Burger – use chopped crisp bacon and small cubes of cheddar cheese. A drop of barbecue sauce with these ingredients lends a lot of taste.

When making a Mushroom Swiss Stuffed Burger – use sauteed mushrooms and small cubes of swiss cheese in the filling.

Philly Cheesesteak Burger

In talking about burgers with specialty toppings, this one is a popular offering, especially with men.

Sprinkle some steak seasoning into the ground meat and mix in before forming the patties.

In advance of starting the burgers on the grill, slice up a medley of peppers – green, red, and yellow, as well as sweet yellow onions and put them in a hot skillet on the stove to saute in a small amount of olive oil. Cook, stirring frequently, until they start to gain caramelized color qualities.

For the cheese, purchase sliced, smoked provolone.

As the burgers approach desired doneness on the grill, top with a spoon full of the grilled peppers and onions and top with a slice of the smoked provolone. Cook just long enough for cheese to begin to melt and serve on buns.

The Cowboy Burger

This burger features some of the most popular barbecue flavors!

Begin by mixing a few drops of a favorite barbecue sauce in the meat before constructing the patties. (Advice is to add drop-by-drop rather than overdo it and be sorry).

Cook slices of bacon and store-purchased onion rings until crisp. Plan 2 slices of bacon and one onion ring per burger.

When burgers are cooked to desired doneness, place on bun and top each with another dab of barbecue sauce, two slices of crisp bacon, and one onion ring. The flavor will take you directly to the Wild Wild West!

Best Dressed Turkey Burger

In my opinion, turkey meat is bland, but it's well known that it is much more healthy than ground beef. To make a delicious burger with ground turkey, it just takes some creative mix-ins to add needed flavor.

Since many people eat turkey burgers to reduce their fat intake, this recipe focuses on non-high calorie accoutrements.

Into the turkey meat, consider mixing in some or all of the following: thinly-sliced fresh spinach, fresh garlic pulp (pressed), and ingredients like finely diced onion, sun-dried tomatoes, and bell pepper.

Finish up by seasoning meat with onion powder, sea salt (if desired), and cracked black pepper.

When grilling turkey burgers, I recommend using a non-stick spray on the grill. It helps manage this delicate meat a bit better. Be sure to cook ground turkey to well-done status.

Top with cheese (many low-fat choices available) if desired.