Some dishes meant to capture the seasons might seem gimmicky, but others, like these caramelized apple burgers, actually work. The caramelized apples here are not just a novelty, but an essential block in building up the flavor of the dish. Much like caramelized onions, they add sweetness and acidity, both as a garnish and as a component in the aioli. So if you’ve never thought about combining apples and a burger, these should be your prompt to do so.
As a recipe developer and blogger, as soon as I go on my first apple-picking excursion of the year, I’m ready to make a myriad of dishes with apples. There’s just something about the smell of those orchards that inspires me to head to the kitchen and experiment. And this year, alongside traditional apple pies and galettes, I made these caramelized apple burgers, and my whole household fell hard for them.
This is a great burger to make when apples are at their peak and you’re in the mood to experiment. This burger tastes like October should, without trying too hard or calling for any pumpkin spice mix. It’s meaty, savory, and sweet at the same time, with just the right hit of creaminess from the apple mayonnaise and the melted smoked Gouda. It even reheats well, as long as you don’t add the greens until the last minute. So if you’re looking for a unique recipe that may become a part of your annual autumnal tradition, this apple burger is just the ticket.
Gather the ingredients for caramelized apple burgers
要做出漢堡肉餅，你需要80/20的牛肩碎混合肉，也被稱為中等絞肉、猶太鹽和黑胡椒。要製作焦糖化的蘋果，請準備紅糖、Honeycrisp 或 Gala 蘋果、無鹽奶油，以及蘋果醋。至於蘋果美乃滋和其他配料，你需要美乃滋、橄欖油、煙燻 Gouda 起司、布里歐麵包和芝麻菜（Arugula）。
Step 1: Shape the patties
把牛肩碎分成4份，做成比麵包圈稍寬的肉餅。兩面均以鹽與黑胡椒調味。
Step 2: Press an indent in each burger
在每個漢堡中央按下淺淺的一個凹槽，以防煎煮時膨起。完成後放在室溫，等焦糖蘋果準備好再煎。
Step 3: Combine the water and sugar in a skillet
在中火的平底鍋中，將紅糖與1大匙水混合。
Step 4: Cook until amber
偶爾在鍋中旋轉（不要攪拌），直到混合物變成深琥珀色，大約3分鐘。
Step 5: Add the apple slices
從火上移開平底鍋，加入蘋果薄片。攪入2大匙奶油，直到順滑。
Step 6: Cook until caramelized
攪拌煮至蘋果變軟並裹上焦糖，大約6分鐘。
Step 7: Add the apple cider
加入蘋果醋再煮1分鐘。然後離火，放在一旁待用。
Step 8: Blend the apple mayonnaise
把焦糖蘋果中的2大匙與美乃滋放入攪拌機，攪拌至順滑。備用。
Step 9: Heat a cast iron pan
在中高火上加熱烤盤或鑄鐵煎鍋，並以橄欖油做防黏。
Step 10: Cook the patties
把肉餅煎4到5分鐘每面，直到熟度達中等，煎至最後1分鐘時在每個肉餅上放一片煙燻 Gouda，使其融化。
Step 11: Prep a pan with butter
在肉餅休息時，在中火的平底鍋中融化剩餘的1大匙奶油。
Step 12: Toast the buns
將麵包切面朝下放入平底鍋，烤至金黃酥脆，大約1分鐘。
Step 13: Spread the buns with apple mayonnaise
在下麵麵包上抹上蘋果美乃滋，然後加上一層芝麻菜。
Step 14: Finish assembling the burgers
在漢堡肉上覆蓋肉餅，並放上剩餘的焦糖蘋果。
Step 15: Serve the caramelized apple burgers
把麵包蓋蓋上。立即上桌享用。
What can I serve with caramelized apple burgers?
Caramelized Apple Burgers Recipe
Caramelized apples, a tangy, creamy apple mayo, and smoked Gouda combine to turn these tender, unique beef burgers into the perfect fall-inspired treat.
- 1½ pounds ground chuck (80/20)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Honeycrisp or Gala apples, cored and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices smoked Gouda
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 2 cups arugula
- Divide the ground chuck into 4 portions and shape them into patties slightly wider than the buns. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Press a shallow indent in the center of each to prevent puffing during cooking. Set aside at room temperature while you make the caramelized apples.
- In a skillet over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Swirl the pan occasionally (do not stir) until the mixture turns deep amber, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and add the apple slices. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of the butter until smooth.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and coated in the caramel, about 6 minutes.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a blender, combine 2 tablespoons of the caramelized apples and the mayonnaise, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat a grill or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season with olive oil.
- Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium, topping each with a slice of smoked Gouda during the last minute of cooking so it melts.
- While the patties rest, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Place the cut sides of the buns in the skillet and toast until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Spread the apple mayonnaise on the bottom bun, then layer with arugula
- Top with the burger patty, and the remaining caramelized apples.
- Top with the bun lid. Serve immediately.
| Calories per Serving | 751 |
| Total Fat | 44.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 16.7 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.4 g |
| Cholesterol | 168.0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39.7 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 17.4 g |
| Sodium | 881.1 mg |
| Protein | 48.7 g |
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
What adaptations can you make to these caramelized apple burgers?
有一些方法可以讓這些漢堡的風味不僅僅停留在麵包之上。最喜歡的改法之一是把它當成 Sweetgreens 風格的收穫碗（harvest bowl）來吃。只要省略布里歐麵包，把漢堡肉切片或碎屑，搭配配料，鋪在 farro 或糙米基底上就能。若走這條路，我喜歡加入烤核桃或山核桃、刨碎的煙燻 Gouda，並再加入一些碎藍紋芝士來增加口感與更銳利的風味。
若要讓漢堡本身的蘋果風味更突出，你也可以在拌成肉餅前，將細碎或切碎的蘋果直接混入絞肉中。當我試過這種做法時，大約每磅肉加入¼杯蘋果。蘋果會帶來濕潤和內在的微甜，但在煮之前需要先冷藏，這樣才能確保它們能在煎煮時保持成形。
至於裝飾配料，可以從我們最喜歡的一些漢堡組合中獲得靈感，把 Gouda 換成 sharp white cheddar（白切達）或 Gruyère（格魯耶爾奶酪）。加入脆脯火腿或培根也是一個聰明的選擇，能提升煙燻肉香與鹹度。你還可以把漢堡做成 smash burger，只是在鑄鐵平底鍋上把肉餅的份量壓得更薄。
What is the best apple to use for caramelizing?
烤蘋果看似直覺，但其實要考慮不少因素。任何要煮軟並焦糖化的蘋果都必須能在鍋中保持形狀，而不是變成糊狀。像 McIntosh（麥金托士）或 Red Delicious（紅富士）這類柔軟的蘋果，雖然適合作為點心，但在高熱下容易分解，無法呈現我們在此需要的光亮、柔軟但仍有輪廓的切片。
在烘焙方面最理想的蘋果是 Cortland，但在超市可能較難找到。Honeycrisp 和 Gala 接近理想，且在多數超市都能廣泛獲得。它們在高溫下能良好地維持形狀，甜度也自然而然，與焦糖化過程相得益彰，為鹹香漢堡提供美妙的對比。
另外，Fuji 和 Lady Pink 也是廣泛可得的替代選擇。它們都相當結實，能在鍋中維持形狀，且甜度足以讓蘋果在焦糖化過程中發亮而不會過於甜膩。這裡我會避免 Granny Smith（青蘋果/酸蘋果），因為它們的酸度適合派，但在這道菜中會削弱焦糖的風味。選擇甜且結實的品種，你就能得到這道食譜所需的光亮、柔軟的切片。
