This incredible burger features creamy blue cheese, coffee rub, bacon, and sweet pineapple. For the coffee rub, I would say each to his or her own! Use the combination of spices and blend of coffee that appeals to you. I’ll share with you what I did, but a rub is one of those things that’s designed to be played with and tweaked until you get it just the way you want it.
The same goes for sides, of course. The blue-cheese / bacon / coffee combo is a savory tour de force, so we decided to serve sweet grilled pineapple chunks on the side as a contrast. (Do that. It’s good.)
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Castello Summer of Blue — Bacon and Blue Cheese Coffee-Rubbed Burgers
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Bold flavors, bacon, coffee, and blue cheese, make this burger a savory summer delight. Grill up the smoky stack and serve with sweet, grilled pineapple.
Ingredients
Burgers
- 4 hamburger buns (Kaiser rolls, brioche, or other stiffer varieties are a good way to go)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (90/10 will work, but blend 80/20 and 9 3/7 if you can)
- 8-12 slices thick cut bacon (2-3 slices per burger), fried or baked
- 4 slices Burger Blue cheese
- 4 large pieces green leaf lettuce
- 1 large hothouse tomato, sliced
- Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or other condiments, as desired Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive) for brushing
Coffee Rub
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) espresso, finely ground 2 tbsp ancho chile powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tbsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium high heat, about 400 degrees. For a charcoal grill, arrange for direct heat.
- If using multiple varieties of beef, blend well in a bowl by hand. Form into four patties, using a burger press, if available.
- Add rub ingredients to a bowl and mix together.
- Rub both sides of each patty well with coffee rub. Try to avoid contaminating any remaining rub with raw
- beef, so that it can be saved for future use.
- If grill grate is not pre-oiled, spray with grilling spray to avoid sticking.
- Cut the hamburger buns in half if not pre-sliced, and brush the cut sides with oil.
- Place patties on grill and close lid. Grill for approximately 4 minutes per side. (The USDA recommends a
- minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees for beef.)
- For the last minute of grilling, add Castelo Burger Blue cheese slices on top of patties, close lid again, and
- allow to melt over tops and sides of patties.
- Remove patties from heat and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes.
- Place buns cut side down on the grill for about 30 seconds to a minute, until cut edges are slightly browed or charred.
- Remove buns from heat and spread condiments of your choice on cut side. On bottom bun, layer green leaf lettuce, tomato, burger, bacon, and top bun. Serve immediately!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 720
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of coffee should I use for the coffee rub?
You can use any blend of coffee that you enjoy; it’s all about personal preference. Experiment with different roasts and flavors to find the combination that you like best.
How do I prepare the blue cheese for the burgers?
Place a slice of blue cheese on top of each patty during the last minute of grilling, then close the lid so it melts over the tops and sides of the burger.
What is the best way to grill the pineapple for serving?
The card’s ingredient list only covers the burger itself, but the recipe is written to be served with grilled pineapple on the side — the post explicitly recommends it (“Do that. It’s good.”). Cut fresh pineapple into thick rings or chunks, brush lightly with oil, and grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until char marks form and the sugars caramelize; serve alongside the burger as a sweet contrast to the coffee rub and blue cheese.
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