Roman Burger Recipe: Relishing the Flavors of Italy

Burgers are always a mood lifter with all the potential of being a great meal. A vast range of burger recipes has emerged to serve the ever-growing demand and meet the most contemporary tastes.

A Roman Burger stands apart with its exclusive Italian-rooted style and savor. Balanced in every sense of taste, with a tinge of saltiness, a Roman Burger can set the mood of any party or feast.

However, if you want to make a Roman Burger, be sure to choose an original recipe. The market is filled with copycat Roman Burger recipes that downgrade the core cultural essence of the Italian dish.

Let’s learn an award-winning Roman Burger recipe that serves both with originality and specialty.

A Brief History of the Origin of the Roman Burger

Roman Burgers that are served today in most restaurants and food corners use state-of-the-art culinary procedures. Modern ingredients contribute to the taste and appearance of these burgers, meeting contemporary demand. However, the original recipe of this beloved snack is quite a medieval one.

Everyone knows how the Romans set and engraved their cultural footprints on British life during their reign between 43 AD and 410 AD. Much of this great influence made its way into British kitchens, too.

The famous Roman cookbook of that time is “Apicius,” a compilation of Roman recipes. The book includes a recipe named “Isicia Omentata,” which resembles a modern burger in many ways.

Isicia Omentata uses ingredients similar to, or near alternatives of what is used today in a burger, such as minced pork, pepper, garum, and wine sauce. The entire arrangement, through different ages, was refined and took different shapes until finally transforming into today’s modern Roman Burger.

Why Pick a Roman Burger?

Let alone a specialized eatery, even a regular food corner can puzzle you by showing a variety of burgers. Each variant has special ingredients to promote a unique savor. Choosing a Roman Burger among all other variants may require you to be sure of your choice. The same is true if you want to make one.

So, what makes a Roman Burger different from other choices? Of course, its ingredients and flavor. As an Italian cuisine, a Roman Burger is filled with Italian-inspired ingredients. From the patty to the bun, every part of the burger drapes itself with something Italian.

For example, you will get balsamic peppers and sundried tomato aioli in the topping of a Roman Burger instead of regular pickles, ketchup, and mayo. In lieu of regular cheese, you will get the salty Italian Pecorino Romano cheese.

Such prevalent use of Italian staples gives Roman Burgers an esoteric deliciousness. To bring something special to the table, or to satisfy your Italian taste, making Roman Burgers can be a great idea.

How to Make a Roman Burger?

So, let’s jump into the procedure of making a Roman Burger. As we know, every burger is comprised of several parts like the patty, topping, and bun, and we have to prepare each part separately. When done, arranging all these parts in the right place will complete the dish.

The recipe described here was the winner of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest 2009.

Necessary Equipment

Equipment will play a key role in this recipe as each part of the burger involves a distinct cooking procedure. Here are all the tools you will need, listed in separate divisions:

For Cooking

Grill (Charcoal or Gas): The grill is the most fundamental equipment for this recipe. You will need it to prepare the patties and to toast the buns. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure to get a cover for heat control.

Skillet or Sauté Pan: Either will do to cook the balsamic peppers and onions.

Medium Mixing Bowl: For combining the patty ingredients.

Small Bowl: For mixing the sundried tomato aioli.

For Grilling

Grill Brush: A necessary tool to clean the grill grates before cooking.

Vegetable Oil Spray or Brush: For oiling the grill grates to prevent sticking during grilling.

Grill Tongs: To turn the patties and buns on the grill.

Spatula: For flipping the patties during grilling.

For Prep and Assembly

Knife: For slicing the bell pepper, onion, garlic, and sundried tomatoes.

Cutting Board: For chopping the vegetables and garlic.

Grater: To grate the Pecorino Romano cheese.

Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring the ingredients.

Mixing Spoon or Spatula: For mixing the patty ingredients and aioli.

For Serving

Serving Platter or Plate: To place the grilled patties and assembled burgers.

Foil or Cover: To keep cooked ingredients warm before assembly.

Roman Burger Ingredients

Not all Roman Burgers follow the same recipe and require the same ingredients. But ours is a prize winner and will require a few unique yet easy-to-get ingredients.

Our champion Roman Burger uses balsamic peppers and onions, sundried tomato aioli, and Pecorino Romano cheese, and each requires its own set of ingredients.

Balsamic Peppers and Onions

2 Tablespoons Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil is a staple of Italian cuisine. It gives the dish a rich and fruity base for sautéing. It also caramelizes the peppers and onions, enhancing their natural sweetness.

1 Large Red Bell Pepper, Halved and Thinly Sliced: Red bell peppers are sweeter than green ones. When sautéed, they add a smoky flavor.

1 Large Onion, Halved and Thinly Sliced: The pungent flavor of the onion turns into a caramelized sweetness, complementing the beef’s taste.

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt: Salt is essential for balancing the flavors. It also helps to neutralize the acidity of the balsamic glaze.

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy note, offsetting the sweetness of the caramelized onions and peppers.

2 Tablespoons Colavita Balsamic Glace: Introduces a sweet-tart element, adding complexity to the dish.

Patties

2 Pounds 80% Lean Ground Beef Chuck: The core of the Roman Burger, creating a juicy and flavorful patty.

1/4 Cup Sutter Home Zinfandel: Adds a slightly sweet flavor that complements the beef as the alcohol evaporates during cooking.

2 Ounces Finely Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese: This salty cheese gives the burger a unique Italian touch. When melted into the meat, it creates a creamy texture.

2 Cloves Minced Garlic: A classic ingredient in Italian cuisine, garlic adds depth to the beef mixture and releases a distinct aroma.

1 Tablespoon Ground Fennel Seed: Adds a licorice-like flavor, often found in Italian sausages, to introduce an authentic Italian flair.

1 Tablespoon Sweet Paprika: Enhances the visual appeal and adds a mild sweetness.

2 Teaspoons Sea Salt: Seasons the patties to perfection.

1 Teaspoon Tabasco Pepper Sauce: Provides a spicy kick that balances the richness of the beef.

3/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds a bit of heat to the patties.

Sundried Tomato Aioli

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy mouthfeel to the burger.

1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Sundried Tomatoes: Introduces a rich umami component essential for capturing Italian flavors.

1 Tablespoon Oil from Sundried Tomatoes: Enhances the aioli with extra tomato flavor.

1 Clove Finely Minced Garlic: Intensifies the aioli’s aromatic quality.

Additional Ingredients

Vegetable Oil: Brushed on the patties during grilling to ensure a nice sear while adding flavor and texture.

6 Halved Italian Bakery Buns: These buns are distinctive for their slightly crusty exterior and soft interior.

1 Bunch Fresh Basil Leaves: Adds a fresh, herbal note that contrasts with the other rich flavors.

6 Ounces Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese: Used to top the burger for an extra burst of Italian flavor.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Grill

Preheat a charcoal grill with a cover to a medium-hot flame. Alternatively, use a gas grill. Make sure the grill grates are clean and brushed with vegetable oil to prevent the meat from sticking.

2. Make the Balsamic Peppers and Onions

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the red bell pepper and onion, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. Sauté for around 15 minutes until the vegetables soften and caramelize. Stir in the balsamic glace and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Form the Patties

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the Zinfandel, Pecorino Romano, garlic, fennel seed, sweet paprika, sea salt, Tabasco, and black pepper. Mix gently. Shape the mixture into six evenly sized patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each to help with even cooking.

4. Prepare the Sundried Tomato Aioli

In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, chopped sundried tomatoes, oil, and minced garlic. Cover and refrigerate.

5. Grill the Patties

Place the patties on the preheated grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side over medium heat. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, arrange the halved buns, cut-side down, around the edges of the grill to toast.

6. Assemble the Burgers

Spread a layer of sundried tomato aioli on the toasted sides of the buns. Place an equal portion of balsamic peppers and onions on each bottom bun. Add the grilled patties, followed by a few basil leaves and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Top with the remaining bun halves.

Roman Burger Calories

Each bite of a delicious spicy burger is packed with calories. And the same is also the case of a Roman Burger.  Here is a detailed ingredient based calory index that gives an approximate measurement of calories of a standard Roman Burger. 

Component	Calories per Burger
Burger Patty
Ground Beef (80% lean, 1/3 lb)	~300-350 kcal
Pecorino Romano Cheese (2 oz)	~50-60 kcal
Other Ingredients (wine, garlic, spices)	~20-30 kcal
Total for Patty	~370-440 kcal
Balsamic Peppers and Onions
Olive Oil (2 tablespoons, divided by 6)	~40 kcal
Red Bell Pepper (1 large)	~30 kcal
Onion (1 large)	~45 kcal
Balsamic Glace (2 tablespoons)	~50 kcal
Total for Peppers and Onions	~160-170 kcal
Sundried Tomato Aioli
Mayonnaise (1/2 cup, divided by 6)	~120 kcal
Sundried Tomatoes and Oil (1/4 cup)	~50 kcal
Total for Aioli	~170 kcal
Italian Bakery Bun (1 bun)	~150-180 kcal
Additional Pecorino Romano Cheese (1 oz)	~110-120 kcal
Estimated Total Calories per Burger	~800-850 kcal

Total

Adding all the ingredients together gives a total of approximately 800-850 calories per burger.

Conclusion

Making a Roman Burger can be a great way to serve your guests and family members to their satisfaction. You can easily turn a mundane Saturday evening into a juicy ecstasy. Even though, the ingredient requirement may seem a bit demanding, it takes less than half an hour to prepare Roman Burgers. 

So, don’t just learn the how to, fill your kitchen with the exquisite aroma of Italian cuisine and enchant everyone’s mind with this champion Mr Hero Roman Burger recipe.