Meatloaf gets a summer makeover in this Barbecue Meatloaf Burgers recipe. The burgers are served on pretzel buns and topped with cheese and crispy fried onions.
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I have reached the point in July where I've started to ignore the fact that it's still summer (hot and sticky days, be damned!). And every humidity free, upper 70 degree day just keeps reminding me that this torturous heat is slowly but surely on its way out. So while the sticky-icky days of summer linger, I've been dreaming of all things fall! Including those warm and cozy meals!
One meal I've been thinking a lot about lately is meatloaf. Kind of random, but it's been a really long time since I've had a good stick-to-your-ribs meatloaf. But it's too hot for a meal like meatloaf. Or is it? I decided to turn this classic comfort food into a summer worthy meal. How? I've turned meatloaf into a burger!
These burger patties are pretty much made just like meatloaf. But instead of shaping the mixture into a loaf, the meatloaf is formed into burger patties. Once they're grilled (or cooked in a skillet), these burgers get served on a toasty pretzel bun with cheese and crispy fried onions on top. It's a tasty mashup meal to enjoy when you're craving cold weather comfort food during the summer!
Barbecue Meatloaf Burgers with Crispy Fried Onions
The one noticeable change in this recipe is the addition of barbecue sauce. I don't know many homemade meatloaf recipes that use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup. At least none that I've had or made. But I thought the sauce would be a nice little swap for this burger recipe, adding some sweet and tangy flavor that paired well with the crispy onions and pretzel buns.
The first step in making these burgers is obviously to get our patties ready. A standard package of ground beef will do, but if you can get your hands on meatloaf mix, I would suggest using that for your burgers. Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, garlic powder, a cup barbecue sauce, and salt and pepper together. Then, form it into 6 burger patties.
If you're not making these burgers right away, allow them to chill in the fridge. Otherwise, fire up the grill or a skillet! Then, cook the burgers for about 6 minutes on one side. Brush them with a little more barbecue sauce and cook them on the other side for about 5 more minutes.
When the burgers are just about finished cooking, pop a slice of cheese on top and toast your buns. Then, serve 'em up with some crispy fried onions on top! You could even put another drop of barbecue sauce on top too!
Barbecue Meatloaf Burgers with Crispy Fried Onions
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or meatloaf mix
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 small onion diced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce plus 2-3 tbsp.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 pretzel buns sliced open
- Sliced cheese and crispy fried onions for serving
Instructions
- Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, garlic powder, 1 cup barbecue sauce, and salt and pepper together.
- Form the mixture into 6 burger patties. Chill in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Add the burgers to the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Brush the burgers with barbecue sauce. Then, flip and cook for another 5 minutes.
- When the burgers are just about done cooking, add sliced cheese on top of the burgers.
- At this time, also add the pretzel buns cut-side-down onto the grill and allow them to get toasty.
- Then, remove the buns from the grill and place the burgers onto the buns.
- Serve with extra barbecue sauce and a handful of crispy fried onions on top.
Meatloaf craving satisfied! All of that classic meatloaf taste comes together in a fun-to-eat burger form! Serve these burgers with a side of fries for a meat and potatoes style meal!
Did you make this Barbecue Meatloaf Burgers with Crispy Fried Onions recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
