Kamado Joe Italian Style Cheeseburgers
These Italian-style hamburgers bring a fresh twist to your grill. Juicy patties topped with mozzarella, basil, and tomato are all served on a toasted ciabatta bun for an elevated burger experience. Perfect for your next cookout, these burgers combine classic Italian flavors with the smoky goodness of a Kamado Joe grill.
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Servings: 2
Equipment
- Kamado Joe Grill
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Parchment Paper
- Tongs
- Spatula
- Brush
- Bowl
- Kitchen Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz 80/20 ground chuck (6 oz per burger)
- 2 ciabatta buns
- 1 large ripe tomato sliced into ¼ - ½ inch thick slices
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 slices of fresh mozzarella
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- High-heat oil e.g., avocado oil
- 2 tablespoon Japanese mayo optional
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Roasted red peppers optional
- Caramelized Garlic in Balsamic
Instructions
- Prepare the Kamado Joe for Direct Grilling: Set up your Kamado Joe grill for direct heat. Add a fresh batch of charcoal (Kamado Joe Big Block is recommended) and ignite it using a torch. Allow the grill to heat up to about 500°F (260°C), ensuring the entire dome is heat-soaked for even cooking.
- Prep the Ingredients: While the grill is heating up, slice the tomato and mozzarella into thick slices and keep them in the fridge to stay fresh. Leave the basil leaves whole. Split the ciabatta buns and set aside.
- Shape the Patties: Divide the ground chuck into 6 oz portions. Gently form each portion into a ball without overworking the meat. Place the ball between parchment paper and flatten it into a patty. Press a slight divot in the center of the patty to prevent doming when grilling.
- Season and Oil the Grill: Once the grill is heated, use tongs to rub a paper towel soaked in high-heat oil over the grill grates to prevent sticking. Season the patties right before grilling with sea salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and granulated onion.
- Grill the Burgers & Toast Buns: Place the patties on the grill and cook them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on your desired doneness. While the burgers are grilling, Brush the buns with olive oil and toast the ciabatta buns on the grill. When they are done set them aside. For safety reasons, aim for medium (160°F/71°C internal temperature) if using store-bought ground beef. When the burgers are almost ready place a slice of the mozzarella on top and close the grill to melt it.
- Assemble: Spread a thin layer of Japanese mayo and a drizzle of olive oil on the bottom half of each bun, then the patty, a thick tomato slice (lightly salted), basil leaves, and optional roasted red peppers & caramelized garlic on the burgers.
- Serve: Serve the Italian-style burgers hot, with all the flavors of a Caprese salad packed into each bite. Enjoy!
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