I like stuffing my burgers, it’s a thing. I used to do this before I ate paleo and now that there’s that whole missing bun issue, I have all the more reason to experiment with what goes inside. Yes, you can make the filling and have it as a side dish or put it on top. It would probably taste just the same. But, if you want to have some fun, you’re gonna have to stuff it! The extra filling makes for a nice topping/side dish anyway, so it’s the best of both.
One thing I don’t love about stuffed burgers is how they look when I try to take pictures of them. Is there something I’m missing or is it just always going to look like a mess? I know there are plenty of great food photographers that would make this look like art, I am not and probably will never be one of those people! Let’s just say it tastes better than it looks? Okay cool 🙂
Plantain and Zucchini Stuffed Lamb Burgers
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground lamb or ground meat of choice, i.e. turkey, beef, pork
- 2 small zucchinis roughly chopped
- 1 med sweet yellow-brown plantain, peeled and roughly chopped
- salt to taste (optional)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- Coconut oil for sauteeing
- Avocado for garnish
- Greens to serve over
Instructions
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In a skillet over med heat, melt the coconut oil and add the chopped zucchini and plantain, and salt to taste if desired. Stir to coat and let cook over med heat until browned and soft, stirring often.
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Combine the salt and spices in a small bowl, and mix into the ground meat. Form 8 small and thin patties with the meat (2 patties will = 1 burger after the filling is added)
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When the plantains and zucchini are browned, spoon some onto 4 of the small patties. Take another small patty to top each one, and seal the meat together on all sides.
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Now it's time to cook the burgers. Heat large nonstick pan or grill (lightly greased) over med-hi heat. Once heated, add the burgers to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, covering for the last few minutes or so to fully cook through.
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Once the burgers have cooked through, serve over your favorite greens and garnish with a few slices of avocado. Any leftover filling can be served as a topping or on the side.
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Dig in with a fork and knife! If you did this right it's going to get messy!
Now that you’ve made this, you’re probably feeling like you could stuff a burger with just about anything. And you’re right, you can! It’s totally legal to stuff a burger with whatever interests you. Peppers and onions, spinach and cheese, avocado and bacon, even another burger if you want, though that might be strange. If you try it, let me know how it goes 🙂 Or you can check out a few more burger recipes here, here, here, here or even here.
Make the most of your weekend, people!
Ever stuffed a burger? What’s your favorite filling/topping?
I remember stuffing burgers with spinach and maybe mozzarella at one point. It didn’t come out great,and I kind of regretted messing up the whole burger that way, But this looks really good- and I think a great way to test it out is by first using the filling as a side or topping, and then the next time you can go for stuffing the burger! Sounds like a great meal, and Ive been loving burgers lately so this is a good way to change it up a bit.
I used to use spinach and cheddar and it was really good. I might try spinach with goat cheese if I get around to buying it. You can definitely just top it with the filling 🙂
I was never the burger maker in the family but my dad and my ex-husband both made ridiculous hamburgers and would stuff them with onions and cheese (I never liked cheeseburgers but they were good!). They sell a gadget that lets you make the patties with a spot for the filling. I forget what it’s called.
Yum, that sounds delicious 🙂 I would love that gadget too!
These look fab! Just wish we could get plantains in Scotland!!
I normally just go for toppings in a burger but you have inspired me to put them inside next time!
It’s worth a try for something fun and different! Any type of sauteed veggies work, you just have to make sure it cooks long enough since it will need more time.
Yum yum yum! I LOVE lamb! I wish more people ate it, and it was more readily available (I am sure I offended people with that…oops), but it is one of my favorite meats, and we have it a lot in England. This sounds great, and yes, I am a llllll about stuffing my burgers! Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve only recently been cooking with ground lamb and I love the flavor and texture. I’ve done taco meat and meatballs with it too, really good!
I love stuffing burgers with cheese! I also make this bacon Marmalade that’s to die for.
Bacon marmalade sounds so good, I want that now!
MIND BLOWN. I”ve stuffed a burger before, but not to this extent!
You can stuff a burger with anything really! Yes it can be messy but really delicious 🙂
I’ve always wanted too stuff CHICKEN! Which I just might!
I’ve stuffed chicken with spinach and bacon, apples and bacon, bacon seems to be a theme. Chicken breasts stuffed with this zucchini plantain combo would be really good though I think!
I’ve never used ground lamb. What does that do to the flavor and texture of the burger, compared to say ground meat or turkey? Very interesting recipe, and it definitely looks good!
I love ground lamb, maybe too much lately! It’s pretty fatty and really juicy with a distinct flavor that reminds me of meatballs I had at a great Italian place as a kid for some reason. Works great made into meatballs and also spiced up as taco meat too.
These are great because you Saute the filling before putting it inside the burger. My friend once made them where everything went in uncooked and didn’t cook inside the burger. This inside is all golden and browned before the burger. Love this recipe. So versatile because I love burgers and so does my family. I made an all white chicken meat burger the other night mixed with a small amount of baby spinach, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Cooked in a pan with oil. It was really good and served it with spaghetti squash seasoned with just oil, chopped tomatoe and fresh basil. Your children might like it because my son is so picky and loved it. Making your stuffed burgers over the next few days. That’s what I love about sharing recipes my same old, same old gets some new additions. Thanks. Have a great weekend!
Cooking before stuffing is a must in my opinion, unless it involves cheese! That sundried tomato combo sounds really delicious, great idea. Enjoy your weekend as well!
I’m not a burger fan but my hubby would love a stuffed burger!
Definitely have to try it for him then 🙂
I think it looks pretty darned tasty as-is! Don’t put down your photo skills 🙂 Thanks for the recipe, Michele. I love lamb. Happy Friday!
Haha thanks! I’ve been cooking with ground lamb pretty often lately. Delicious!
Confession: I think I can count on one hand the amount of times in my life that I’ve eaten a burger — not the biggest fan! But maybe stuffing it would help? I’ve made stuffed parmesan chicken before, and that definitely takes it up to a whole new level.
Oh no I can’t even imagine not liking burgers? Maybe a turkey or chicken burger for you if meat doesn’t work? I would think even a veggie burger could be stuffed. Veggies stuffed with veggies, why not?
These look amazing! I have stuff burgers before – mostly with cheese and onions. Can’t wait to try this one. Have a great weekend!
Love love love cheese and onions! I was thinking maybe spinach onion and goat cheese if I ever get around to buying goat cheese. Enjoy your weekend as well!
Stuffed burgers are really the best! I have never made lamb burgers–I am interested in trying these, though, for a change of pace!
I’ve been eating more ground lamb lately and it’s a nice change of flavor and texture. Definitely worth a try 🙂
yummy!!!! i love lamb, it’s actually one of my favorite red meats. but since my other half will only eat seafood at home, i will see about applying this creativey to a fish! hmmmmm stuffed salmon burger? i’ll have to think about it lol 🙂 we did do stuffed and baked poblano peppers o sunday and they were so amazing. i am a fan and putting stuff in stuff. LOL
happy friday, Michele!!!
I’ve been eating it often and really enjoying it. So funny because my husband will not touch fish at all! So for me fish is a lunch thing. you could totally stuff a salmon burger! Stuffed peppers always look delicious but I’ve never tried to make them. New project perhaps 🙂
I think lamb is particularly good for my body, like it just ‘feels’ good when i eat it.. does that make sense? i really do like to have it every now and then, i get so excited when i do – like it’s a treat. i love me a leg of lamb roast stuffed with garlic and rosemary, yummmmm-o!
I think it’s something about the fat in it or the overall nutrient density because I feel the same! It’s a really nice treat!
Yum! This sounds amazing!
Definitely worth a try next time you make burgers 🙂
Someone recently told me about Pizza Stuffed Burgers! I gotta try it.
I kind of want to try stuffing some sweet potatoes in there? Gross? Yum? Unsure…
Ooh that sounds good. If I put plantains and zucchini in there I think pretty much anything goes! Sweet potatoes would be good. Anything that goes on the side could probably go inside if done right 🙂
This looks so good! I don’t eat pork or red meat, but I bet I could use ground chicken to make this. Holly yum! You know what’s funny? I’ve been eating mostly Paelo dinners. I still like my oatmeal or muffins in the morning. BUT for my dinners, I’ve noticed I’m way fuller and feel so much better with all the whole foods I’m getting. My digestion has been a lot better too. Definitely need to try this recipe!
You could definitely do a chicken or turkey burger, or even a stuffed chicken breast with this filling. It’s hard to go back from paleo style I think once you notice how you feel 🙂
I never think to buy lamb. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even tried it. My husband and dad love love love it though.
Emma
A good one to try, it’s delicious!