The Unagi Burger
This Japanese version of the burger is probably one of my favorites. It’s light and refreshing. You almost forget you’re eating a burger! Biting into a combination of fresh ginger, crisp cucumber and crunchy broccoli sprouts brings you a burst of surprising sweet and tangy goodness.
Total Steps
6
Ingredients
16
Tools Needed
6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground sirloin beef
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3/4 cup broccoli sprouts
- 8 pieces shaved cucumber ribbons
- 4 whole wheat baker's rolls
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons wasabi paste or fresh grated wasabi cream
Instructions
Step 1
To make the Wasabi Dressing, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 2 tablespoons wasabi paste (or fresh grated wasabi cream) together thoroughly in a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Taste the dressing and add more wasabi paste if a spicier flavor is desired. The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Step 3
For the burger patties, combine ground sirloin beef, panko, egg, sliced almonds, fresh ginger, sliced green onions, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Then, add salt and black pepper and mix again.
Step 4
Form the mixture into patties and pat them together tightly. Be aware that these burgers can be delicate and may fall apart easily on the grill due to their volume of ingredients.
Step 5
Before cooking all patties, test one on a grill coated with non-stick spray to ensure it holds together. If the patty falls apart, consider browning the patties in a skillet first to firm up the exterior before finishing on the grill. Be careful not to over-brown them in the skillet to prevent them from drying out on the grill.
Step 6
Brush sesame oil on the inside of the split baker's rolls and toast them lightly on the grill. Once toasted, spread wasabi dressing on the top bun and add broccoli sprouts. Place a burger patty on the bottom bun, topped with 2 cucumber ribbons. Carefully assemble the burger to create The Unagi Burger!