Food always tastes better on a camping trip.
That’s my belief, and I’m sticking to it.
Last week’s camping trip was filled with mountain bike rides, a really long hike around the lake and one seriously long trek to the actual restroom facilities. Oh, then there was swimming and a paddle boat excursion, too.
I know two boys who were hungry. Ravenous, really.
The weather was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, warm sun and cool breezes. That plus a lot of physical activity made for a great day.
Then, there was dinner.
These “Campfire Burgers” are named as such for their smoky flavor and aroma.
I don’t know whether it was the starry night, the crackling fire or the ghost stories, but these tasted just about perfect.
If you want to get really fancy, add soaked hickory chips to your charcoal fire for an extra infusion of smokiness.
Angus ground chuck, which is on sale this week at Brookshire’s, is perfect to pack in your camping cooler.
*Note: You can caramelize the onions in advance and pack them in your cooler. Just reheat them when you’re ready to serve. The sauce can also be mixed up in advance. You can cook the bacon up at home, or fry a bunch at the campsite and save it for the next morning’s breakfast, too.
Campfire Burgers
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Caramelized Onions:
2 Tbs olive oil
1 large Vidalia onion, sliced
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Campfire Sauce:
1/4 cup regular mayonnaise
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/8 tsp liquid smoke
Burgers:
1 lb Angus ground chuck
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
4 hamburger buns
Directions:
Caramelized Onions:
Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; season with salt and stir to coat with oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar and cook for another 12 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Campfire Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, barbecue sauce and liquid smoke until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Burgers:
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, cheese, bacon, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, salt and pepper until combined. Form into 4 equal-sized patties.
Preheat grill or skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook for about 6-7 minutes. Flip; cook for another 6-7 minutes until cooked thoroughly.
Assemble burgers on toasted buns topped with caramelized onions and campfire sauce.
Nutritional Information: Calories Per Serving: 591, Calories from Fat: 263, Fat: 29 g, Trans Fat: 0 g (8 g Saturated Fat), Cholesterol: 128 mg, Sodium: 1324 mg, Potassium: 660 mg, Carbohydrates: 34 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 10 g, Protein: 46 g
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