Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 Min.
Cook Time: 11 Min.

+ 1-1/2 lb. ground beef
+ 1 large clove garlic, minced
+ 1/2 tsp. salt
+ 1/4 tsp. pepper

+ Flavor Variations

Smoky BBQ Cheddar
+ 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
+ 1/4 c. hickory barbecue sauce
+ 12 split small dinner rolls.
+ 24 sweet or dill pickle slices
+ 3/4 c. prepared coleslaw

Buffalo Style
+ 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
+ 1/2 c. crumbled blue cheese
+ 3 Tbsp. melted butter
+ 1/4 c. hot pepper sauce
+ 12 split small dinner rolls
+ thinly sliced celery
+ shredded carrots
+ blue cheese dressing

Taco
+ 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix
+ 1/2 c. dairy sour cream
+ 2 tsp. fresh lime juice
+ 12 taco shells
+ shredded lettuce
+ chopped tomato
+ shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
+ salsa

1. Combine Basic Mini Burger ingredients in medium bowl, adding desired Flavor Variation ingredients and mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into twelve 1/2-in. thick mini patties.
2. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8-10 min. (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9-11 min.) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally.
3. Serve mini burgers as directed in desired Flavor Variation.

* Smoky BBQ Cheddar: Add 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese to Basic Mini Burger mixture. Halfway through grilling, baste patties with 1/4 c. hickory barbecue sauce. Place burgers on bottoms of 12 split small dinner rolls. Top evenly with 24 sweet or dill pickle slices and 3/4 c. prepared coleslaw. Close sandwiches. Serve with additional barbecue sauce, as desired.

* Buffalo Style: Add 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper and 1/2 c. crumbled blue cheese to Basic Mini Burger mixture. While patties are grilling, combine 3 Tbsp. melted butter and 1/4 c. hot pepper sauce. Set aside. Place burgers on bottoms of 12 split small dinner rolls. Top evenly with thinly sliced celery, shredded carrots, as desired, and some of the hot sauce mixture. Close sandwiches. Serve with blue cheese dressing, as desired, and remaining hot sauce mixture.

* Taco: Add 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix to Basic Mini Burger mixture. While patties are grilling, combine 1/2 c. dairy sour cream and 2 tsp. fresh lime juice. Set aside. Cut burgers in half and place both halves in each of 12 taco shells. Top evenly with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend, salsa and sour cream mixture, as desired.

* Nutrition information per Buffalo Style burger, using 95% lean ground beef: 196 calories; 9 g fat; 4 g saturated fat; 45 mg cholesterol; 386 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 0.5 g fiber; 15 g protein.

* Nutrition information per Taco burger, using 95% lean ground beef: 152 calories; 7 g fat; 3 g saturated fat; 39 mg cholesterol; 404 mg sodium; 8 g carbohydrate; 0.6 g fiber; 12 g protein.

* Nutrition information per Smoky BBQ Cheddar, using 95% lean ground beef: 152 calories; 7 g fat, 3 g saturated fat; 39 mg cholesterol; 404 mg sodium; 8 g carbohydrate; 0.6 g fiber; 12 g protein.

* Recipe Courtesy of The Beef Checkoff

Calories: 208;   Total Fat: 8g;   Saturated Fat: 4g;   Cholesterol: 44mg;   Total Carbs: 17g;   Fiber: 1g;   Protein: 16g;   Sodium: 483mg;