Save A playful and hearty platter featuring mini burgers shaped like American footballs—perfect for game day gatherings or themed parties.
I first served this to friends during the big game and everyone loved the unique football-shaped mini burgers.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 500 g ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
- Onion: 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt: 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper: ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Mini burger buns: 12 mini burger buns (oval-shaped if available or regular buns trimmed to shape)
- Cheddar cheese: 6 slices cheddar cheese, halved
- Tomato: 1 large tomato, sliced
- Romaine lettuce: 6 leaves romaine lettuce, halved
- Ketchup: 3 tbsp ketchup
- Mayonnaise: 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- Egg white: 1 egg white (for football lacing decoration)
- Cream cheese: 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened (for piping laces)
- Red onion: 1 small red onion, sliced into rings
- Pickle slices: Pickle slices
- French fries or potato chips: French fries or potato chips
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2:
- Divide the mixture into 12 portions. Shape each into an oval football shape, flattening slightly to fit the buns.
- Step 3:
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 2–3 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Step 4:
- In the last minute of cooking, place half a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Cover to melt.
- Step 5:
- Toast the buns lightly.
- Step 6:
- Spread ketchup and mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun.
- Step 7:
- Layer with lettuce, tomato, and a cheese-topped patty. Add onion rings and pickles as desired.
- Step 8:
- Place the top bun then using a piping bag or a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off, pipe football laces with cream cheese onto the top of each bun.
- Step 9:
- Arrange the mini football burgers on a large platter in an oval or football shape. Surround with fries or potato chips for presentation.
Save My family loves gathering around this platter, sharing burgers and enjoying the game together.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, grill pan or skillet, spatula, piping bag or small plastic bag, sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains Gluten (buns), Dairy (cheese, cream cheese), Egg. May contain Soy (Worcestershire sauce), Mustard (mayonnaise). Check all ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (2 mini burgers): Calories 480, Total Fat 26 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Protein 28 g
Save Enjoy this fun dish that brings a sporty twist to your party menu and impresses your guests every time.
Kitchen Questions
- → How do I shape the burgers like footballs?
Divide the ground beef mixture into portions, then gently form each into an oval shape, slightly flattened to fit the bun size. Use your hands to taper the ends for the classic football look.
- → What is the best way to melt the cheddar cheese on the patties?
Place the cheese slices on the patties during the last minute of cooking and cover the pan briefly to allow the cheese to melt evenly.
- → Can I prepare the burger patties ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape patties in advance and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking to save time on serving day.
- → How do I pipe the cheese laces on top?
Use a piping bag or a small plastic bag with a snipped corner filled with softened cream cheese. Gently pipe thin lines to mimic football laces.
- → What are good side snacks to serve with this platter?
Crispy french fries, potato chips, and pickle slices complement the mini burgers perfectly for a satisfying meal.