Top these Lean Ground Beef burgers with a merlot red wine sauce for a French twist on a classic. 

  • 45 minutes
  • Makes 4 servings
  • Burger

Mushroom Merlot Burgers

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (95% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed
  • 4 slices French bread, cut diagonally 1/2 inch thick
  • 2 ounces goat cheese crumbles (1/2 cup)
  • 4 romaine lettuce leaves
Sauce:
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 cup Merlot or other dry red wine
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Garnish:
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ground Beef, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Set aside.

  2. Place mushrooms on grid over medium, ash-covered coals; grill, uncovered, 16 to 18 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. About 10 minutes before mushrooms are done, move mushrooms to outer edge of grid. Place patties on center of the grid; grill 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally. Place bread slices on grid; grill until toasted, turning once.

    Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
  3. Meanwhile, to prepare sauce, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add shallots; cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until caramelized. Stir in wine, broth and thyme. Cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Combine butter and flour; whisk into sauce. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover; keep warm.

  4. Reheat sauce, if necessary. Spread 1/2 of cheese on toasted bread slices. Top each with lettuce leaf, mushroom and burger; drizzle evenly with sauce. Top remaining goat cheese over tops; sprinkle with parsley, as desired.

    Recipe and photo as seen in The Healthy Beef Cookbook, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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