Gourmet Caprese Burger with Balsamic Reduction

Gourmet Caprese Burger with Balsamic Reduction has luscious tomato, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella and sweet balsamic vinegar.

 

Summer salads are always a favorite at barbecues and summertime parties.  When you are having a Summer Grilling Celebration, how do you bring your favorite Caprese salad to the grill?  You transform it into an incredibly scrumptious gourmet burger that captures the essence of summer!  With luscious tomato, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella and sweet balsamic vinegar this burger was destined for TSRI’s burger hall of fame.

Gourmet Caprese Burger with Balsamic Reduction

A perfectly grilled beef burger drizzled with a sweet balsamic reduction, served atop a layer of fresh chunky tomato sauce on a toasted ciabatta bun is enough to make your stomach growl and your taste buds swoon!  Add a slice of fresh mozzarella and a spoonful of fresh pesto mayonnaise and you may just have to pick your tongue up off the floor!

This burger was made spectacular using some amazing ingredients from
Fresina’s Pasta Co and Italian Specialties in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.  I have had this idea of turning the Caprese salad into a burger for some time.  But, when I received a package of products from Fresina’s, I knew right away what I was missing.  We were lucky enough to try their 12 year aged Signature Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.  I have to tell you this was truly the best balsamic I have ever tasted.  It is smooth, sweet and unbelievably thick! How sweet?  How delicious?  Let me say this…  When I made my balsamic reduction it was so good I ate it off the spoon.  I saved a least half for the burgers (well, true confession…  I made 2 batches!)   

Mama Fresina’s Signature Pezzo Sauce (chunky tomato sauce) was another item that we were fortunate enough to sample that we just knew had to go on this burger as well.  This sauce carries the garden fresh taste that San Marzano tomatoes are known for.  Chad even said he loved it, and he is a tough one to please with pasta sauces.

Fresina’s Pasta Co has a rich family history. Since 1926 they have been making handmade pasta. Through 3 generations they still do it the way their family in Italy did.  Using the delicate’ method, the pasta is air-dried for 3 days and packed by hand.  The care they take shows in the selection of products they offer.  From fabulous handmade pasta (make sure you check back tomorrow to talk about this in more detail) to fine Italian imported specialty items, Fresina’s is the place to go.  “If you can’t be in Italy, we will bring Italy to you” is Fresina’s motto and they certainly deliver on that!

The custom Tour of Italia Gift Box contains:

2 packages of Fresina’s Handmade Gourmet Pastas (vermicelli and rotini)

1 jar Fresina’s Signature Sauce

250ml Fresina’s Signature Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

250ml Fresina’s Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Marinated Spiced Whole Garlic

Villa Reale Pistachio Nut Cream from Sicily

Tuscany Blend Bread Dipping Seasonings

Vergani Torrone Morbido (Crumbly nougat with roasted almonds and hazelnuts)

Tuscany Italian Music CD,

Mama Fresina’s Personal Favorite Cookbook

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The WINNER for last weeks TSRI Summer Grilling Giveaway is KellyR78!  Congrats Kelly.  Check your inbox and email us as soon as possible!  

Enjoy!

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Gourmet Caprese Burger with Balsamic Reduction

Donna Elick

Summer salads are always a favorite at barbecues and summertime parties. When you are having a Summer Grilling Celebration, how do you bring your favorite Caprese salad to the grill? You transform it into an incredibly scrumptious gourmet burger that captures the essence of summer! With luscious tomato, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella and sweet balsamic vinegar this burger was destined for TSRI’s burger hall of fame.

5 stars from 1 review

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Method Grill

Servings 4

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 1/2 pounds 93% lean beef
• ▢ kosher salt, to taste
• ▢ fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• ▢ 1/2 cup good balsamic vinegar, I used Fresina’s Signature Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
• ▢ 1 cup chunky tomato sauce, I used Mama Fressina’s Signature Pezzo Sauce
• ▢ 4 slices fresh mozzarella, sliced to 1/8″ or 1/4″ slices)
• ▢ 1/2 cup pesto mayonnaise, mix 1/2 cup pesto with 3 tablespoons olive oil mayonnaise
• ▢ 4 ciabatta buns, split

Instructions

 

• In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a slow boil, over medium heat. Whisk constantly, until reduced by half. Reduce to low, until ready to serve. Remove from heat 15 minutes before serving and balsamic will thicken.
• Preheat grill to medium-high.
• Form beef into (4) 6 ounce patties, slightly larger than your bun. Make a slight indentation in the center of the burger to prevent it from doming up in the center. The indentation will rise as your burger cooks. Sprinkle burgers with salt and pepper.
• Grill until golden brown and slightly charred (about 3 minutes), turning once sparingly drizzle balsamic over top cooked side (cook for 3 minutes on the other side for medium). Try not to press down on your burger with a spatula. It will cause the juices to escape and will create a dry burger!
• Toast ciabatta buns.
• To prepare Gourmet Caprese Burgers, spoon 1/4 cup chunky tomato sauce on bun, top with burger. Drizzle with more balsamic, add 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, spoon on 2 tablespoons of pesto mayo and top with toasted bun.
• Serve and Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 679cal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1040mg | Sugar: 7g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 5mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

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