Epic Umami Burger Recipe

Getting bored with burgers this summer? This Epic Umami Burger Recipe packs such a flavorful punch, you’ll never eat a dull burger again. Using ingredients you can find in your pantry or at any grocery store, this is a restaurant-quality burger you can easily prepare at home.

My husband and I are still chuckling about a conversation we overheard in a restaurant a few weeks ago (the tables were really close, we couldn’t help it!).

The two couples were discussing umami. I’ve talked about umami quite a bit on this blog already, as understanding this savory “fifth taste” is one of the keys to making meals taste great at home.

But this foursome had just about all of the facts wrong – they thought it was a mouthfeel (it’s really just a savory taste sometimes described as “meaty” or “earthy”), they didn’t know which ingredients included it (good bets for umami are mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, miso and soy sauce), and they even settled on pronouncing it “unani.”

Well, that uninformed conversation really inspired me to go home and create a recipe that demonstrates umami. And believe me, this Epic Umami Burger Recipe packs a powerful punch of savory flavors.

About this Epic Umami Burger Recipe:

Every single item in the burger patties was chosen to enhance flavor:

• ground beef (looking for a turkey burger? Try my turkey burger salad!)
• anchovy paste – don’t be scared, just try it. It packs a salty (not fishy) punch.
• soy sauce – also the boost of umami in my simple gravy recipe!
• mushrooms – you’ll be sautéing these and them pureeing them so even mushroom haters might not even realize they’re in there. Mushroom LOVERS should see my savory oatmeal.
• Parmesan cheese
• ground black pepper

I recommend heading to your local your grocery store for all of the burger patty ingredients, plus any desired condiments (and maybe the fixings for seafood pasta salad and Dr. Pepper baked beans, too).

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Epic Umami Burger Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Getting bored with burgers this summer? This Epic Umami Burger Recipe packs such a flavorful punch, you'll never eat a dull burger again. Using ingredients you can find in your pantry or at any grocery store, this is a restaurant-quality burger you can easily prepare at home.

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 6 hamburger buns
• Desired condiments, such as banana pepper rings, ketchup, mayonnaise, minced onion, mustard and/or pickles

Instructions

1. In large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until dark golden brown, stirring frequently.
2. Transfer mushrooms to bowl of food processor fitted with knife blade attachment. Add cheese, soy sauce, anchovy paste and black pepper. Process 30 seconds or until mixture forms a fine paste.
3. Preheat griddle or outdoor grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat. Transfer mushroom paste to large bowl; add beef. Using hands, mix until well combined. Form mixture into six patties, being careful not to overwork the meat.
4. Place burgers on hot griddle. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F for medium rare doneness, turning once.
5. Serve burgers on buns, topped with desired condiments.

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo to Instagram using the tag #foxeslovelemons.

Other delicious burger recipes:

• Cheese Board Burger
• Epic Bloody Mary Burgers
• Cheeseburger Pizza