Beef and Lamb · Sandwiches and Burgers · Side Dishes

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish. Juicy all-beef burgers grilled over an open fire. Topped with a chopped fresh tomato relish that has a touch of sweetness from honey and a little tang from apple cider vinegar. >>Scroll down for my step…

  • Prep15 minutes
  • Cook8 minutes
  • Total23 minutes
  • Serves4
  • Calories466 kcal
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Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish. Juicy all-beef burgers grilled over an open fire. Topped with a chopped fresh tomato relish that has a touch of sweetness from honey and a little tang from apple cider vinegar.

>>Scroll down for my step by step video<<

burgers on a bun with tomato relish

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish is one of my go-to recipes any time of the year. I love a good burger! Nothing fancy, just a good burger.

burgers on a bun with tomato relish

ingredients

My favorite burger recipe comes from Home Cookin' with Dave's Mom Cookbook of all places. It was a gift from my husband 25+ years ago. I keep going back to the same burger recipe time and time again. It is an all time favorite of family and friends. And I get requests for the recipe every time I make it. It's a simple recipe with the following ingredients ~

  • Ground beef ~ 85/15 is my preferred blended of meat to fat
  • Bread ~ soft white bread is my go-to
  • Milk ~ whole milk is #1 with me
  • Egg ~ beat it a lightly
  • Onion - finely chopped please
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Toasted buns ~ Martin's Potato Rolls - #1 hamburger bun in the USA
  • Fresh tomatoes ~ use what looks best ~ deep bright red and free of blemishes
  • Red onion ~ great purple and a mild flavor
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Honey
  • Celery salt ~ adds a hint of sweet, salt and better flavor
  • Red pepper flakes ~ just a touch of heat
  • Fresh chopped parsley
grilled patties with fresh relish

expert tips for making burgers

The burger recipe has only a few ingredients but, they all add to the deliciousness of the patties.

  • Be sure to use the bread and milk combo in this burger recipe. The bread soaked in milk adds to the tenderness of the burgers.
  • Lightly beat the egg before adding it to the ground beef. The egg helps hold the burgers together.
  • Finely chop the onion. They will add flavor to the burgers with a little bite and not overpower them.
  • Toast the buns. My Dad always toasts buns for hamburgers. It adds a nice crispy crunch and extra char flavor.

Our usual burger toppings include American cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, and a little pickle relish. But I decided to whirl up a batch of fresh Jersey tomato relish in my food processor to change up tonight's dinner. After all we were celebrating my husband's birthday.

fresh tomato relish

expert tips for making fresh tomato relish

  • Use a food processor to make quick work when preparing the tomato relish.
  • Chopped tomatoes can release a lot of liquid. Before adding the other ingredients, put the pulsed tomatoes and onions in a strainer for a couple minutes to drain off the excess liquid.
  • Combine the chunky blend of tomatoes and onions with apple cider vinegar, honey, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, celery salt, red pepper flakes and freshly chopped parsley. The relish is delicious served immediately or up to 24 hours.
draining chopped tomatoes in a strainer

what do you use tomato relish for?

This sweet, tart and savory topping is super versatile.

Top chicken, steak, fish or pork. Add to grilled cheese or a turkey sandwich. Sprinkle over scrambled eggs. Or the simplest way to enjoy tomato relish is with tortilla chips.

burgers on a bun with tomato relish

The tomato relish can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 2 days.

grilled burgers with tomatoes

just one more thing

Also check out my YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories and videos, cooking tips, and recipes.

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish. A juicy all-beef burger simply seasoned and grilled over an open fire. Top with a chopped fresh tomato relish with a touch of sweetness from honey and a little tangy from apple cider vinegar.

Equipment

  • food processor

Ingredients

Fresh Tomato Relish

  • 6 small/medium tomatoes (about 3 cups chopped)
  • ½ cup red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon celery salt
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Burgers

  • 2 slices soft white bread
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 pound ground beef (I like a 85/15 blend)
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • ¼ cup onion (finely chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 4 potato rolls (toasted)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat grill to medium high heat.

  2. 2

    For the fresh tomato relish, place the tomatoes and red onions in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10 to 12 times or until the tomatoes and onions are finely chopped but still a little chunky. Place in a strainer and drain for 2 minutes.

  3. 3

    Place the chopped tomatoes and onions in a bowl and stir in the apple cider vinegar, honey, kosher salt, pepper, celery salt, red pepper flakes and parsley. Set aside.

  4. 4

    For the burgers, place the bread in a bowl and pour milk over it. After the bread has soaked up as much of the milk as possible, smash and squeeze out and pour off the excess.

  5. 5

    Combine the soaked bread and the remaining burger ingredients in a large bowl. Gently mix.

  6. 6

    Form the meat mixture into 4 burgers.

  7. 7

    Grill burgers about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare or a little longer if you like your burgers more well done.

  8. 8

    Serve on toasted buns with a generous spoonful of the tomato relish.

Notes

Chopped tomatoes can release a lot of liquid. Before adding the other ingredients, put the pulsed tomatoes and onions in a strainer for a couple minutes. Store the tomato relish in a covered container for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving1 burger, relish and bun
  • Calories466 kcal
  • Carbohydrates36 g
  • Protein35.9 g
  • Fat19.4 g
  • Saturated Fat7 g
  • Cholesterol145 mg
  • Sodium1068 mg
  • Fiber3.6 g
  • Sugar12.2 g