Add This Jarred Ingredient To Burgers And Experience 20X The Flavor

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A lot goes into making a worthy burger — the best meat-to-fat ratio is a biggie — but could the missing puzzle piece for a perfect handheld be hiding in a glass jar? Ever since we saw folks on the internet and social media preaching the gospel of roasted red peppers inside and atop burgers, we haven't been able to get enough. We previously discussed how to upgrade meatloaf without ketchup, and the answer was red peps, so it actually makes perfect sense that they're also the shining star of a burger that's as tasty in the heat of summer as in the doldrums of winter.

Basically, you've got two options when it comes to imbuing your burgs with the sweet, smoky taste of roasted red peppers ... and they aren't mutually exclusive. You can mince those peppers up and fold some into the meat of your patties, which will add moisture and piquant flavor to your beef, or you can use red peppers as a luscious topping for your burger. Honestly, if you're a big fan of peppers, do both!

This isn't necessarily an instance where homemade is better, either, as roasting your own red peppers at home can be a time-consuming ordeal. If you don't feel like going to the store, put these burgers on your meal plan a few days out and order some of these top-rated, inexpensive Whole Foods Market organic peppers. We predict you're going to have a ball not just chowing down on your burgers, but also concocting new ways to pair toppings and condiments with the red peppers.

There's not a lot of mystique to incorporating roasted red peppers inside your burgers. You simply drain the liquid (because you don't want watery or oily burgers), mince the peppers up fine, and stir them into your meat mixture. Of course, take care to not overwork your beef, because it can make your burgers tough and dry. Feel free to get frisky and fold some complementary players in with your red peppers, like diced caramelized onions or capers, to bring Mediterranean flair and big flavor to your burgers.

It's when you're topping burgers, however, that you can get really creative with your red peppers. We've mentioned boosting flavor by adding pesto to your burgers, and we think the combination of pesto and roasted red peppers would be one for the books. Want a bit of an offbeat bite? Smear a thick layer of roasted red pepper hummus on your toasted bun before piling your burger with peppers! We also love the idea of incorporating the peppers into a Romesco sauce (with or without the traditional element of tomatoes) for a savory condiment that will set your burgers above the pack. Roasted red peppers are a traditional Italian ingredient, so any addition that swings in that direction is bound to be a good one, including peppery arugula, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and thick slices of sun-ripened tomato.