Burger guide

burger guide from our kitchen to yours

A guide to building a better burger!

The

Bun

Start Strong build the base b

c c

a

traditional still wins Though every other part of the burger is getting the “out there” treatment, traditional white and wheat buns remain the most preferred breads for restaurant burgers. More women than men prefer a wheat bun, likely because they perceive it as healthier, but more men prefer a sesame-seed white bun, perhaps because they see it giving their burger premium appeal.

generation gap The under-35 crowd is much more adventurous when it comes to bun choice, driving demand for the still-popular pretzel bun and other trendy carriers such as French bread, brioche sweet bread, focaccia and potato rolls. As this Technomic study shows, if your establishment caters to a younger customer base, don’t be afraid to get a little bold with your bun options!

what type of buns do your customers want?

38%

white bun sesame seed, white bun

40% 40% 37% 39%

wheat bun 28%

kaiser roll

24%

onion roll pretzel bun/roll

22%

30% 32%

857643 64/3.5 oz Sliced Jumbo Hamburger Bun, 5”

24%

potato roll

bagel

857651 96/2.1 oz Sliced Hamburger Bun, 4”

359199 72/2.8 oz Sliced White Sesame Bun, 4.5”

28%

ciabatta roll

436459 12/8 ct Sliced Brioche Bun, 4”

436491 72/3.17 oz Sliced Hamburger Pretzel Bun, 4”

37%

27% 32%

sourdough roll

brioche

44%

254034 192/.9 oz Sliced Hamburger Bun, 2.675”

22% 9%

28%

20% 18%

10% Technomic, “Burger Consumer Trend Report,” 2015

18 - 34 35+

463524 54/2.3 oz Black & White Sesame Bun 371338 7/6 ct Sliced Artisan Brioche Bun

The

patty

crave worthy burgers build loyalty fresh patties When you want to give your customers the most high quality, flavorful burger available look no further than Braveheart Black Angus and Performance Custom Meats. Features include: Braveheart is 100% Black Angus Beef Burgers and ground beef have a 24 day shelf life

Performance Custom Meats patties are weaved together for better cooking performance

Produced to order Produced under Safe Quality Foods Level 3 certification

Many sizes available

Braveheart’s Path Proven Technology helps to insure consistency

Never any fillers or by-products added

frozen patties The West Creek Brand features freshly frozen ground patties, Angus patties and grinds. All of our high quality West Creek burgers are blast frozen, locking in the freshness. West Creek features include: Made from 100% FRESH domestic beef trimmings Rochester West Creek patties are Individually quick frozen with paper dividers

All Rochester West Creek patties are scored for quicker cook time

Can be cooked from frozen, a tempered state or totally thawed

All Plymouth West Creek patties offer round and homestyle patties

Produced under Safe Quality Foods Level 3 certification

All Plymouth West Creek patties are blast frozen

what types of beef do your customers prefer?

18%

Burger Alternatives

514252 32/4.5 oz Quinoa Veggie Patty 34%

3%

514244 32/4.5 oz Black Bean Patty Angus

15%

Standard Ground Beef Sirloin/Steak Kobe

30% No preference Technomic, “Burger Consumer Trend Report,” 2015

514251 32/4.5 oz Sweet Potato Patty

The

cheese

add flavor with cheese Cheese is a great way to add flavor and differentiation to your burger lineup. Cheeses with spicy or pungent flavors like pepper jack or parmesan can add depth, while cheeses with creamy textures or craft sources like brie or goat cheese convey a higher, more premium quality. Check out a few unique cheeses to put on your burger:

Swiss #158724

Blue #263721

Brie #516407

Muenster #2115877

Flavor: nutty, yet mellow Ideas: Top with mushrooms, onions or slices of fresh avocado.

Flavor: pungent - creamy Ideas: blacken the ground beef and call it a black and blue burger.

Flavor: nutty, mild, smooth Ideas: Add bacon and micro-greens for an upscale looking burger.

Flavor: sweet & nutty Ideas: Add jalapeños to create a creamy kick alongside this cheese.

Manchego #300674

Gouda #336132

Monterey Jack #65057

Gruyere #445387

Flavor: fruity, nutty, sweet, tangy Ideas: Add chorizo and a zesty romesco sauce for a Spanish spin.

Flavor: caramely, nutty, buttery Ideas: Top with chimichurri sauce

Flavor: mild Ideas: Melt cheese and create a taco burger with jalapeños and pico de gallo.

Flavor: sweet, slightly salty Ideas: Add caramelized onions to compliment the sweet cheese.

what type of cheeses do your customers want?

66% 67%

american

62% 64%

cheddar 38%

swiss mozzarella

37% 36%

monterey jack

35% 39%

white cheddar

blue

41%

35% 37%

pepper jack

muenster

46%

37% 40%

provolone

parmesan

51%

28% 22% 18% 22% 16% 21% Technomic, “Burger Consumer Trend Report,” 2015

18 - 34 35+

how to melt Getting the perfect melt is so easy to accomplish. Use a basting cover, an inexpensive aluminum dome that short-order cooks use in diners. It looks like the lid of a sauté pan, except that it is domed to fit over the burger. A basting cover allows just enough clearance, meaning the cheese doesn’t touch and stick to it but the cover can still hold in the heat to melt the cheese beautifully. If you don’t have a basting cover, a sturdy metal bowl will also do the trick. Alternatively, you can close the grill cover or you can even tent each burger with a square of aluminum foil.

The

toppings

Hashbrown patties are a great side or topping

Peanut butter pairs perfectly with burgers

BBQ pork adds sweetness and smoke Add natural sweetness with grilled tropical fruits

Pickles and red onion Don't skip out on theese crunchy classics Both fried or fresh bananas are great on burgers

Roasted peppers add color sweetness and umami flavors

Use ham as a bacon alternative

Enhance with in season heirloom tomatoes

on top of it Lettuce, onion, tomato. It doesn’t get more traditional than that. But is it right in your establishment? Toppings can help your burger make sense with the rest of your menu. Are you well known for your homemade fried pickles? Add a layer. Do people travel miles for your chili? Add a dollop. Bacon is always good—a peppered bacon, deep, rich Black Forest bacon, or even Inside Out Candied Bacon are all memorable.

Toppings can also verge to the exotic. Glaze your burger with a little teriyaki and suddenly a slice of pineapple doesn’t sound too weird. Fresh avocado brings in a wonderful creaminess and adds brightness to the plate, or you could go way over the top and add a seared piece of foie gras for the ultimate in luxury.

the condiments House-made condiments are all the rage and an excellent way to make your burger sing.

Perhaps a chipotle ketchup, smoky and earthy with a little tang from adobo sauce, the perfect accompaniment for grilled meat.

Aioli is endlessly customizable. Traditional garlic aioli is excellent, on the fries as well as the burger. Add a little Asian flair with a wasabi aioli or a nod to fresh ingredients by adding in some fresh basil. Regardless, the fresh flavors and ease of customization make aioli another great tool in making your burger memorable.

ketchup add-in bbq sauce, brown sugar cumin, chipotle, lime juice lime juice, curry powder teriyaki truffles

mayo add-in

unique

sour cream, chipotle, lime juice

sun-dried tomato pesto (#378106)

garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, cayenne pepper

moonshine bbq sauce (#484738) sweet chili chutney (#534030)

dijon mustard, egg yolk, lemon, bacon, scallions, bacon fat

thai sweet chili sauce (#948164)

horseradish, thyme, salt & pepper

jalapeño relish (#517736)

Hunk-A-Hunk-A Burger Love West CreekTM Peanut Butter West CreekTM Banana, Sliced RidgecrestTM Bacon West CreekTM Mild Cheddar Cheese Peak Fresh Lettuce

308156 468269 229841 158820 902578

Chipotle BBQ Burger West CreekTM Pulled Pork West CreekTM BBQ Sauce Sweet Pickle Sandwich Slices Chipotle Mayonnaise

397771 234866 983637 69575

or try with ROMA Battered Onion Rings RidgecrestTM Bacon Boom Boom Sauce

416089 229841 152240

Big Island Burger Magellan Sliced Pineapple, Grilled 19852 Sliced Ham 45581 BacioTM Mozzarella Cheese 287632 West CreekTM Mayo 201350 Cajun ROMA Cajun Seasoning 435832 Aioli

Third Shifter Burger Nature’s Best Large Egg, Fried Hashbrown Pattie RidgecrestTM Bacon West CreekTM Mild Cheddar Cheese

537013 2027143 229841 158820

3 Pigs Burger ROMA Pepperoni 78616 RidgecrestTM Bacon 229841 Sliced Ham 45581 BacioTM Mozzarella Cheese 287632

Cordon Bleu Burger Pictured on back cover

Sliced Ham 45581 RidgecrestTM Bacon 229841 West CreekTM Swiss Cheese 158819 Peak Arcadian Harvest Lettuce 314438

Denver Burger Piancone Fire Roasted Peppers Peak Fresh Red Onions, Sliced Nature’s Best Large Egg, Fried West CreekTM Mild Cheddar Cheese

232061 64507 537013 158820

bacon caramelized onion sliders

asiago meatball sliders

16 oz. ground beef sirloin Salt and pepper 4 oz. BelGioioso Mascarpone cheese 8 oz. La Bottega di BelGioioso ® CreamyGorg ® cheese 8 Mini pretzel buns/Pretzel dinner rolls Caramelized onions with rum (recipe in back) 16 slices bacon, cooked Baby watercress

16 oz. ground meatloaf mix (beef, veal, pork) 1 large egg, beaten 1/2 cup BelGioioso Romano cheese, grated 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley 1/2 garlic clove, minced 1/2 tsp. salt

Featuring Mascarpone and CreamyGorg ®

Combine beef with salt and pepper in mixing bowl. Shape into 2 oz. patties. Refrigerate patties until ready to cook.

In a bowl, mix Mascarpone and CreamyGorg® together until creamy.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Grill or pan-grill burgers over medium heat on lightly oiled grill. Cook thoroughly on each side.

Toast buns, cut side down on grill. Assemble sliders with 2 Tbsp. Caramelized onions, grilled burger, 2 slices bacon, 1/4 cup Mascarpone/CreamyGorg ® mixture and baby watercress.

Featuring Romano and Asiago

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs 1/2 cup lukewarm water 4 BelGioioso Asiago cheese slices 8 slider-sized hamburger buns, split 1/2 cup pan-grilled onion slices 1/2 cup prepared marinara sauce, heated

Combine ground meats with egg, Romano, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper in mixing bowl. Blend in breadcrumbs. Slowly add water, mixing until moist. Shape meatball mixture into 2 oz. patties. Refrigerate patties until ready to cook.

Grill or pan-grill meatball burgers over medium heat on lightly oiled grill. Cook thoroughly on each side. Add 1 slice of cheese, halved to fit, atop each burger. Cook 1 minute longer to melt cheese.

Toast buns, cut side down on grill. Serve each cheeseburger with 2 Tbsp. grilled onions and 1 oz. warm marinara sauce.

CREATE A BETTER BURGER WITH

crumbly gorgonzola burger Featuring Crumbly Gorgonzola

16 oz. ground beef sirloin Salt and pepper 4 hamburger buns 1/2 cup pan-grilled onion slices 8 tomato slices 12 oz. BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola, crumbled Combine beef with salt and pepper in mixing bowl.

Shape into 4 oz. patties. Refrigerate patties until ready to cook.

Grill or pan-grill burgers over medium heat on lightly oiled grill.

Cook thoroughly on each side. Add fried onions, 2 tomato slices and 3 Tbsp. of Gorgonzola crumbles, atop each burger. Cook 1 minute longer to melt cheese.

Toast buns, cut side down on grill and add burgers to buns.

Adding a slice of our award winning cheeses brings extra flavor to any burger. Feeling adventurous? Smear a mixture of Mascarpone and CreamyGorg® on the bun for a bit of earthiness. A burger topped with a slice of our Asiago is always satisfying. The options are endless!