Hey there, Jason Griffith here! With the spirit of competition and camaraderie in the air, what better way to celebrate than with a burger that embodies the vibrant energy of the Olympic Games? Today, we’re crafting the Olympic Ring Burger—a visually stunning and incredibly delicious burger featuring perfectly grilled patties, melted cheese, and a colorful stack of bell pepper and onion rings. It’s a gold medal winner for your next backyard BBQ or game-day gathering!
Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s more than just a meal; it’s a statement! The simple addition of grilled bell pepper and onion rings transforms a classic burger into a work of art, resembling the iconic Olympic rings. It’s a fun, creative way to bring a festive atmosphere to your table, especially during sporting events. Plus, grilling the vegetables adds a fantastic smoky sweetness that complements the juicy beef and melted cheese perfectly. It’s wholesome, hearty, and incredibly satisfying for both adults and kids. If you’re looking for other fun, crowd-pleasing dishes for your next event, my Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter or a classic Crockpot Nacho Dip that always disappears are always a hit!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create your medal-worthy Olympic Ring Burgers:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is great for juicy burgers)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 hamburger buns (sesame seed buns add a classic touch!)
- 6 slices of cheddar cheese
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 large onion
- Olive oil (for brushing vegetables)
- Ketchup and mustard for serving
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: You can easily swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even a blend of beef and pork. For a vegetarian option, large veggie burger patties would work well as the base.
- Cheese: While cheddar is a classic choice for burgers, feel free to use American, provolone, Monterey Jack, or even Swiss cheese.
- Bell Peppers: Using red, yellow, and green bell peppers gives you that beautiful Olympic ring color palette. Orange bell pepper could be an addition for more color. Ensure they are sliced into rings, not strips, for the visual effect.
- Onion: Any type of onion can be used. Sweet onions will caramelize nicely on the grill, while red onions offer a sharper bite and a different color.
- Buns: Brioche buns offer a rich, slightly sweet contrast. Potato buns are also great for their soft texture. Toasting them is highly recommended!
- Condiments: Beyond ketchup and mustard, consider offering mayonnaise, a special burger sauce, or even a touch of relish or pickles for extra flavor.
Steps for the Recipe
- Prepare for Grilling: Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to get a good sear on the burgers and vegetables.
- Form and Season Patties: Divide the 1 lb ground beef into 6 equal portions. Gently shape each portion into a burger patty, about 1/2-inch thick. Create a small indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to help prevent them from bulging while cooking. Season both sides of each patty generously with salt and pepper.
- Grill the Burgers: Place the seasoned burger patties on the preheated grill. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium doneness, or adjust the cooking time to reach your desired level of doneness.
- Prepare and Grill Veggie Rings: While the burgers are cooking, slice the red, yellow, and green bell peppers horizontally into rings, removing the seeds and core. Slice the onion into rings as well. Brush all the bell pepper and onion rings lightly with olive oil. Place them on the grill alongside the burgers (or after the burgers if space is limited). Grill for a few minutes on each side until they are slightly charred, tender-crisp, and have visible grill marks.
- Melt the Cheese: Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each hot patty and allow it to melt from the residual heat (you can close the grill lid for a minute to speed this up).
- Toast the Buns: Place the hamburger buns cut-side down on the grill for about 1-2 minutes until they are lightly toasted and slightly crispy.
- Assemble the Olympic Ring Burger: To assemble your vibrant burger, spread your desired condiments (like ketchup or mustard) on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a cheesy burger patty on top.
- Now, for the “Olympic rings”! Artfully layer a red bell pepper ring, a yellow bell pepper ring, a green bell pepper ring, and an onion ring on top of the burger patty. Try to stack them so their colors pop!
- Place the top half of the bun on your stacked creation.
- Serve: Serve the Olympic Ring Burgers hot and enjoy your festive and delicious burger that celebrates the spirit of the games!
Tips for Success
- Even Patty Thickness: Ensure all burger patties are of similar thickness for uniform cooking.
- Don’t Press Patties: Avoid pressing down on the burgers with your spatula while grilling, as this squeezes out valuable juices and can lead to dry burgers.
- Grill Marks: For beautiful grill marks on both burgers and veggies, ensure your grill is hot and don’t move them too soon after placing them down.
- Variety of Ring Sizes: Choose pepper rings that vary slightly in size so they can nest within each other for a more distinct “ring” effect.
- Condiment Bar: Set up a mini condiment bar with various sauces and extra toppings so guests can customize even further.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
The Olympic Ring Burger is a fantastic centerpiece for any casual meal or celebration. Pair it with classic summer sides like potato salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or even some crispy fries. For other fun, shareable appetizers, you could also whip up some Sheet Pan Quesadillas or a delicious Beer Cheese Dip that disappears in minutes. As for drinks, cold sodas, iced tea, or a refreshing light beer would be perfect complements to this vibrant burger.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This burger is best enjoyed fresh off the grill. Assembled burgers can become soggy if stored. However, cooked burger patties, grilled vegetables, and cooked bacon can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat patties and vegetables gently in a skillet or oven. It’s always best to toast buns and assemble fresh just before serving.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the creative and delicious approach to these Olympic Ring Burgers, you’ll find plenty more fantastic ideas on Chef Maniac!
- For another effortless way to impress guests with an appetizer, try my Baked Brie Appetizer.
- And if you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast to fuel your day, my One-Pan Breakfast Bake will make you skip your usual routine!
Final Thoughts
The Olympic Ring Burger is a fantastic way to celebrate with food that’s as exciting to look at as it is to eat. It’s a festive, flavorful, and customizable burger that will bring a touch of gold medal cheer to your table. Get ready to grill, stack, and enjoy!
What other colorful vegetable combinations would you add to your Olympic Ring Burger? Share your creative ideas in the comments below, or tag us on social media. And don’t forget to keep following Chef Maniac for more delicious inspiration! Happy grilling!
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