Banh Mi Burgers

What's better than a burger? A Vietnamese flavored one! This is from Cooking Light and it hits every flavor button you've got. Plus, it's easy!


Banh Mi Burgers

Step 1
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar (we used 2 tablespoons and it was just right)
1 cup shaved English cucumber
1 cup matchstick-cut carrots (we shaved these just like the cucumbers)

Bring vinegar, water, and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over high. Combine cucumber and carrots in a heatproof bowl; pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes or up to 3 days.

Step 2
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Stir all together; set aside.

Step 3
1 pound 93% lean ground beef (we used chuck)
2 tablespoons olive oil (since we were using chuck, we skipped the oil)
2 teaspoons grated garlic
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray

Preheat grill to medium-high (about 450°F). Combine beef, oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl; gently mix just until ingredients are incorporated. Shape mixture into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. Place patties on a grill grate coated with cooking spray. Grill, covered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 140°F, about 3 minutes per side, or to desired degree of doneness. Remove from heat, and keep warm.

Step 4
4 whole-grain hamburger buns, split and toasted
1-1/2 cups loosely packed cilantro sprigs
2 serrano chiles, thinly sliced

Spread about 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture on each bun half. Place 1 burger patty on each bottom bun half. Drain cucumber mixture; place about 1/4 cup on each burger. Divide cilantro sprigs and chiles among burgers. Cover with top halves of buns.