Ingredients
For the burgers
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for the best flavor)
- 2 oz finely chopped prosciutto
- 1/3 cup well-drained Chicago-Style Giardiniera
- 3/4 tablespoon Italian seasoning (see recipe below)
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 hamburger buns (gluten-free if needed)
For the Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch dried thyme
- Pinch celery seed
Optional toppings
- More giardiniera
- Jarred banana peppers
Instructions
1. Make the Italian seasoning: Combine all the Italian seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside. You won’t use all of it for the burgers, so store the leftovers for other recipes.
2. Prepare the burger mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, prosciutto, drained giardiniera, and 3/4 tablespoon of the Italian seasoning. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Form the patties: Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and shape them into patties slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink during cooking.
4. Grill it up
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Place the patties on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium, or adjust timing to your preferred doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a slice of provolone cheese.
5. Toast the buns: Lightly toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a toaster.
6. Assemble the burgers
- Spread the bottom bun with your desired toppings (if using), such as extra giardiniera and banana peppers.
- Place the cooked burger patty on top of the bottom bun.
- Add any other desired toppings.
- Top with the other half of the bun.
Tips
Don’t overmix the meat: Overmixing can make the burgers dense and tough.
Indent the patties: Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly and prevent them from bulging.
Get creative: Experiment with different toppings, like lettuce, tomato, or even a fried egg!
Use fresh ingredients: Fresh giardiniera and other ingredients will always take your burgers to the next level.
