Grill: Beef Burgers with Sizzled Soy-Garlic Mushrooms + Winter Grapefruit-Spinach Salad
A Cali-grill classic with a Korean-inspired twist: juicy beef burgers seasoned simply, then topped with a quick sizzling mushroom “bulgogi-style” glaze. The side is a crisp, grapefruit-dressed spinach salad that cuts through the richness and feels peak winter citrus.
Back to full listIngredients
- Kroger® 100% Pure Beef Quarter Pound Burgers, 8 ct / 32 oz (sale) 2 patties (about 8 oz total) $10.99
- Crimini mushrooms, 1 lb 8 oz, sliced $3.99
- Kroger® Yellow Onion 3 lb bag 1/2 onion, thinly sliced $3.49
- Kroger® Tender Baby Spinach Bag Salad 10 oz 5 oz (about half the bag) $2.29
- Fresh Large Ruby Red Grapefruit - Each 1/2 grapefruit segmented + 1 tbsp juice for dressing $1.29
- Garlic (1 ct) 1 clove, grated/minced $0.59
- Olive oil 2 tbsp, divided
- Soy sauce 1 1/2 tbsp
- Brown sugar or honey 1 tsp
- Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp
- Black pepper to taste
- Burger buns 2
- Optional: cheese slices 2 slices
- Optional: lettuce (romaine or leaf) a few leaves if desired
Instructions
- Prep the grill and ingredients: Preheat grill to medium-high. Slice 8 oz crimini mushrooms and 1/2 onion. Grate/mince 1 garlic clove. Segment 1/2 ruby red grapefruit; squeeze out 1 tbsp juice for dressing.
- Season and grill burgers: Pat 2 beef patties dry and season both sides with 3/4 tsp kosher salt and black pepper. Grill 3–5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) to desired doneness. Add 2 cheese slices in the last minute if using. Toast 2 buns cut-side-down for 30–60 seconds.
- Make the mushroom bulgogi glaze (stove): While burgers grill, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add sliced mushrooms and onions with a pinch of salt. Cook 6–8 minutes until browned.
- Glaze: Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar (or honey), and 1 tbsp vinegar. Cook 1–2 minutes until glossy and syrupy around the mushrooms.
- Make the grapefruit-spinach salad: In a bowl, whisk 1 tbsp olive oil with 1 tbsp grapefruit juice, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Toss with 5 oz spinach and grapefruit segments.
- Assemble: Place burgers on buns and pile with the mushroom-onion glaze. Serve with the grapefruit-spinach salad on the side.
Health notes: ~750–950 kcal per serving (depends on bun/cheese). Healthiness: Medium. High protein; add extra salad and go easy on sugary sauces for a better balance.
Drink pairing: You want fruit + freshness to handle beef and umami mushrooms. Great: Zinfandel (not too jammy), Grenache, or a fuller-bodied Rosé. California pick: Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel (if available) or a Paso Robles Grenache-based red.