Burger > Regional Burgers > Southern Burgers

Carolina-Style Fried Green Tomato Burger Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 green tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices of bacon
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lettuce and sliced red onion for serving

Special equipment needed:
- Cast iron skillet

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the bacon on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until crispy. Set aside.

2. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and form into 4 patties. Set aside.

3. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In another shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and one egg. In a third shallow dish, combine the cornmeal and panko breadcrumbs.

4. Dip each green tomato slice into the flour mixture, then the buttermilk mixture, and finally the cornmeal mixture, making sure each slice is coated well.

5. Heat the vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the green tomato slices for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

6. In the same skillet, cook the beef patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese and let it melt.

7. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

8. Toast the hamburger buns in the oven for 1-2 minutes.

9. To assemble the burgers, spread the spicy mayo on the bottom bun. Add a beef patty with melted cheese, two fried green tomato slices, a slice of bacon, lettuce, and sliced red onion. Top with the other half of the bun.


Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Temperature:
Baking temperature: 400°F
Frying temperature: medium-high heat
Serving size:
4 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 750
Fat per serving: 49g
Saturated fat per serving: 14g
Carbohydrates per serving: 42g
Fiber per serving: 3g
Sugar per serving: 10g
Protein per serving: 31g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with regular milk or almond milk.
- Cheddar cheese can be substituted with any other type of cheese.
- Mayonnaise can be substituted with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Hot sauce can be substituted with any other type of hot sauce.

Variations:
- Add avocado slices to the burger for extra creaminess.
- Use different types of cheese, such as blue cheese or pepper jack.
- Add a fried egg on top of the burger for extra protein.
- Use different types of buns, such as brioche or pretzel buns.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the green tomato slices are coated well with the flour, buttermilk, and cornmeal mixture to ensure a crispy texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the beef patties are cooked to the desired temperature.
- If the spicy mayo is too thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin it out.

Storage instructions:
Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating instructions:
To reheat the burgers, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
Serve the burgers on a wooden cutting board or a platter with a side of sweet potato fries.

Garnishes:
Garnish the burgers with extra lettuce and sliced red onion.

Pairings:
Pair the burgers with a cold beer or a glass of sweet tea.

Suggested side dishes:
Serve the burgers with sweet potato fries or coleslaw.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the green tomato slices are not crispy enough, increase the frying time.
- If the beef patties are not cooked through, increase the cooking time.

Food safety advice:
Make sure the beef patties are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure they are safe to eat.

Food history:
Fried green tomatoes are a popular Southern dish that originated in the United States. They are made by coating unripe green tomatoes in cornmeal and frying them until crispy.

Flavor profiles:
This burger has a combination of savory, spicy, and sweet flavors. The beef patty is seasoned with salt and black pepper, while the fried green tomatoes add a crispy texture and tangy flavor. The spicy mayo adds a kick of heat, while the honey and apple cider vinegar add a touch of sweetness.

Serving suggestions:
Serve the burgers with a side of sweet potato fries and a cold beer for a classic Southern meal.

Related Categories

Cooking Method: N/A

Course Type: N/A

Dietary: N/A

Ingredient: N/A

Meal type: N/A

Occassion: N/A

Region: N/A

Taste: Tangy, Savory, Spicy, Crispy, Sour, Smoky