Red Wine Burgers

in Beef, Burgers & Sliders, Cookouts & Picnics, On the grill, Wine

Red Wine Burgers

It’s the cornerstone of a good partnership. He grills. I bake. I fetch the utensils from the kitchen. He keeps a watchful eye over dinner, spatula in one hand, a cold bottle of his home brew beer in the other. We make a good team. And he makes a damn good burger.

Fleur de Sel

Grilling on the back porch makes me dream of lazy weekends – a rare occurrence ’round here. Holiday weekends around our house usually means there’s some big DIY project on tap. Maybe it’s retiling a bathroom floor, installing baseboards, painting… we’re those people. This Memorial Day weekend was different, and it only took me almost breaking my leg on the mountain bike to secure the weekend off.

Only.

Cabernet Burgers on Everything Buns

When my husband got a new grill, I bought a grilling cookbook. It was only fair 🙂 One of the first recipes to catch our eyes was the Cabernet Burgers. Holy mother. Rarely would I ever describe a picture of raw meat as gorgeous, but the photo of that deep, Cabernet-infused red patty had us both drooling. Ground beef can be way sexy!

The burgers were super juicy and retain a nice smokey, wine flavor after grilling. The extra wine reduction drizzled on the burger was just sweet enough to perfectly balance the savory flavors from the Everything bun.

We’ve used several wines with awesome results: cabernet, merlot for a nice oaky flavor, and shiraz which gives the burger a nice peppery bite. If you like to drink it, chances are you’ll like it in your burger.

Cabernet Burgers on "Everything" Buns

Juicy burgers spiked with a reduction of your favorite red wine, paired with an "everything" burger bun.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of your favorite red wine
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 medium slicing tomato, cut into 1/2 inch slices
  • Olive oil
  • 3 Burger buns ("everything" buns pictured)
  • 3 slices of your favorite cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high.
  2. In a medium sauce pan over high heat, combine the wine and brown sugar, stirring until dissolved.
  3. Let boil and reduce to 6 Tbsp (3/8 cup). This will take about ~25 minutes. Let cool to room temp, ~10 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, crumble ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and a couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
  5. Add 1/4 cup of red wine reduction and lightly toss to mix.
  6. Form 3 burger patties, handling as little as possible (they'll feel really loose and fragile).
  7. Drizzle tomato slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  8. Place burgers and tomatoes on the grill. Grill the burgers to desired doneness (I typically cook both the tomatoes and burgers ~4 minutes on each side).
  9. Top with a slice of cheese and remove from the grill.
  10. Place on a burger bun, drizzle the remaining red wine reduction over the burgers, and top with a grilled tomato slice and the top bun.

Notes

Yields: 3 servings

Adapted from Weber's "Way to Grill"

Estimated time: 40 minutes

17 comments… add one
  • I love burgers on focaccia and yours look fantastic! My hubby and I split the division of labor similarly 🙂

  • WOW! That looks so, upscale, and delicious! I love focaccia.

  • Simply perfect.

  • That sounds like one sophisticated burger! How summery and delicious. I love teamwork in the kitchen!

  • Too funny, last night I also made focaccia and my boyfriend frilled up some steaks. Definitely a perfect partnership.

  • I almost had my first attempt at focaccia today! Didn’t quite happen though. Yours looks delish! I know what you mean about those grill books – they are so great!

  • Wonderful summertime meal:)

  • MMMM…burgers on facaccia…what a great idea!

  • Great idea! Like the team concept. Makes things more fun I am sure.

  • This focaccia looks amazing. I have a bunch growing outside right now, Ill have to try it!

  • Wow… that sounds incredible! I’ll definitely be trying that with your suggestion of all the cabernet reduction…

  • Looks like an amazing spin on a traditional burger.
    Every time I read of someone using a grill (which is a lot this time of year) I get jealous of those people with yards that can have one! The closest I can get is a small cheap grill that I have to lug to the park. 🙂

  • Yummmmmm! Jessi and I have to team up a lot too and I master the grill but she is learning.

  • I have been looking for the ultimate burger for many years and I’ve met a few but nothing that blows off my socks. This looks and sounds like my socks have something to worry about now, I can’t wait to make these…seriously I’m that hung up on the perfect burger 😉
    Great site!

  • Desiree

    This is one of the best burgers I have ever had. I followed the recipe almost exactly. Instead of using Worcestershire sauce (didn’t have any), I used soy sauce and little garlic powder. I highly recommend this recipe!

  • madison

    what is a good side suggestion to pair this yummy burger with?

  • I made these the other night and they were unbelievable! I reduced the wine a little too much and didn’t have enough to do the drizzle before serving, but they were delicious anyway! I topped the burgers with parmesan cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions. SO delicious!

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