Recipes For Making the Great All-American Burger

Grilled Onion Cheeseburgers

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 large white or yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (Vidalia onions, if available)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 4 white or whole-wheat hamburger buns or Kaiser rolls, split
• 3 ounces crumbled or shredded cheese (such as smoked mozzarella, feta, blue cheese)

Combine ground beef, thyme and garlic in medium bowl, mix lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Brush both sides of onion slices with oil. Place patties in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange onion slices around patties. Grill, covered, for 8-10 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally. Grill onions 15-20 minutes or until tender, turn occasionally and brush with oil. Season burgers with salt and pepper. Place one burger on bottom of each bun; top evenly with cheese and grilled onions. Close sandwiches. Makes four burgers.

See related story: King of the Summertime Grill - The All-American Hamburger

Star Spangled Burgers

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup regular or reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup honey mustard
• 8 slice American Cheese
• 8 hamburger buns
• Romaine, tomato slices

Combine mayonnaise and mustard. Cut star shapes from cheese with cookie cutter.

Lightly shape ground beef into eight 1/2-inch thick patties. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8-10 minutes (if using a gas grill, cook over medium heat on preheated grill for 7-9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally. Season with salt and pepper after turning. About one minute before burgers are done, top with cheese stars. Serve in buns dressed with sauce, lettuce and tomato.

Firecracker Burgers with Cooling Lime Sauce

• 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 6 sesame seed sandwich rolls, split, toasted
• 1 cup watercress or mixed spring greens

Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Caribbean jerk seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons grated lime peel
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine ground beef and seasoning ingredients in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into six 1/2-inch thick patties. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8-10 minutes (if using a gas grill, cook over medium heat on preheated grill for 7-9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally. Meanwhile combine sauce ingredients in small bowl; set aside. Spread sauce on cut sides of rolls. Place one burger on bottom half of each roll and evenly with watercress. Close sandwiches. Make six burgers