Recipe: Caprese Burgers

I am obsessed with caprese salads all summer long and even have my own basil plant that is currently in full bloom. When I stumbled upon this recipe in the Allrecipes magazine, I knew I needed to try this one out for my family. Plus it was a great way to use up some of my basil that was looking so ready to eat!

Ingredients: 

4 tomatoes, each cut into 4 thick slices

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 2/3 pounds grass fed beef

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus 16-24 whole leaves for garnish

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 8 rounds

8 buns, toasted

4 teaspoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon siracha (optional)

Directions:

1) Arrange tomato slices in a single layer on a platter. Whisk together vinegar, oil, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Pour over tomato slices. Let stand 15 minutes to 1 hour. 

2) Meanwhile, preheat an outdoor grill (or a ban on your stove top) to med heat. Put beef, tomato paste, chopped basil, Parmesan, garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and mix together with your hands. Divide into 8 equal portions and pat into patties. 

3) Grill burgers 6 minutes per side. Top each with a slice of mozzarella, then continue grilling, covered, until cheese melts...1-2 minutes more. 

4) Serve on buns with marinated tomato slices and whole basil leaves. 

This turned out so good! I only made 1/2 the recipe because 8 burgers seemed like too much for my family of 4 and then we added some steamed veggies as the side. We will for sure be trying this one again! 
Have you ever tried a caprese burger? What is your favorite burger recipe?