Elevate your burger game with these Silver Spur Ranch Blue Cheese Burgers. Juicy and full of flavor, this Western style blue cheese burger is absolutely mouthwateringly delicious.
Before we go any further with these blue cheese hamburgers, I’d like to address the title of this recipe which I found in my Colorado Classique Cookbook. It appeared without a hint of why it bears the namesake of this ranch.
Turning to Google I found that Silver Spur Ranch is a huge cattle operation with ranches in New Mexico, Wyoming, Northern Colorado and Central Colorado (Douglas and Elbert Counties). Which by the way we live in Douglas County, so it’s not far from us. The majority of the herd is comprised of Angus x Continental females which are bred to survive the Wyoming/Colorado environmental challenges, altitude and sage brush country. The site includes a bunch of technical cow talk and ranching standards. Not one peep about food.
So I have no story, no history or inspiration for the recipe. I leave you with only your imagination of cowboys sitting around a campfire after a long cattle drive with their tin cups in hand, inventing non-traditional ingredients to throw into their hamburger meat.
These burgers were SO good that about two bites in I asked Hubs, “Am I just starving or are these things delicious?” Hubs answered, “These things are delicious!”
Let’s talk about blue cheese burgers. I’ve had a couple here and there, and just wasn’t crazy about them. Until now. Past experience has left such a strong blue cheese flavor that I should have paired them with a stick of celery or a slice of pear rather than a hamburger bun. Using a milder Maytag blue cheese for these, and this burger was so incredibly and perfectly flavored that I can’t wait to make them again.
A side sweet potato fries seemed a perfect pairing. I made a simple Meyer lemon aioli mixing about 1/4 cup mayo with a squeeze of Meyer lemon and a couple good shakes of Cholula Hot Sauce. Sprinkled with lemon zest and Aleppo pepper, this made a really nice dipping sauce for the fries.
Every burger needs a good bottle of wine.
“Call up a couple of friends that share your love of wine and invite them over. Tell them that you have been waiting to open these bottles and that you couldn’t think of anyone that you’d rather share them with. Fine wine, like life, is meant to be enjoyed.” Loosely quoted from Matt Kramer,
Every now and then we drink a wine that for whatever reason seems really hits our sweet spot…
This bottle of Orin Swift Machete, a Petit Sirah is always a good choice. Always one we open for any beef entree.
Our back yard still resembles the Arctic Circle, so I pan fried these in my cast iron. Grilled or pan fried, these blue cheese burgers are the bomb. Let’s take a look.
More gourmet burger recipes:
- Rosemary Garlic Burgers with Smoked Gruyere
- Bison Chipotle Cheddar Cheeseburgers
- Green Chili Chicken Burgers
- Bobby Flay’s Texas Burger
Beef lover? You won’t want to miss my Beef Category. Lots of beefy goodness to browse.
The most popular being my lineup of 31 Best Burger Recipes for Father’s Day. Check it out.
A great blend of blue cheese and beef for a great burger
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 ounces Maytag blue cheese crumbled
- 1/2 Cup fresh chives
- 1/2 teaspoon Cholula Hot Pepper Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- Hamburger buns
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, blue cheese, chives, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and mustard. Form into 6 patties. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
- Preheat grill or broiler. Cook burgers 5 - 6 minutes per side or until cooked to desired doneness. Serve on buttered and toasted buns.
Looking for more unique and delicious burger recipes? Take a look at this one:
Buffalo Bill Burger, Chorizo and Bison with BBQ Sauce
Silver Spur Ranch Blue Cheese Burgers … They’re what’s for Dinner
Heather @girlichef says
February 19, 2012 at 7:52 amOh yeah. Seriously? My mouth is totally watering just looking at the photo. They sound amazing. We’re due for a burger night around here…and I’m totally making these.
Lea Ann says
February 19, 2012 at 11:17 amI haven’t had a burger since probably October, man were these good!
Kirsten@My German Kitchen...in the Rockies says
February 19, 2012 at 10:47 amI own this cookbook, too and always put blue cheese on my burger. Guess what’s for dinner tonight? Thanks, Lea Ann!
Lea Ann says
February 19, 2012 at 11:15 amI have to admit, the only blue cheese burgers I’ve had have been pre-made patties from Whole Foods. I just think they must really over due it on the blue cheese, and it turned me off. After having these, I’ll be putting blue cheese in every single burger I make! Loved them.
Jane says
February 19, 2012 at 12:27 pmYum! I don’t know that I have had a blue cheese burger before, but they sound amazing! I also love Alexia fries … especially the sweet potato ones!
Lea Ann says
February 19, 2012 at 1:56 pmI’ve only had a couple and didn’t like them until this one. Thanks Jane, and let me know if you try it.
Larry says
February 19, 2012 at 12:34 pmWhile your picture is very good, as always, it doesn’t seem to do justice to a meal with this name – Blue cheese burgers with Spicy Chipotle Sweet Potato fries, Meyer lemon and Cholula Aoili, and sprinkled with lemon zest and Aleppo pepper. I love all these and will definitely have to try them all. Have some burger thawing as I write.
Lea Ann says
February 19, 2012 at 1:55 pmWow, makes me hungry just reading your comment! 🙂 I agree, these are a few of my favorite things. The burger was so good it needed no condiment. Maybe a pretty leaf of lettuce might have spruced it up, but really not needed. And those smeared in butter and toasted buns! OMG
I’m on the Aleppo pepper bandwagon lately. I swear it gets sprinkled onto anything that isn’t moving! As always, enjoy your comments Larry.
Chris says
February 19, 2012 at 2:38 pmLean Ann! That looks ridiculously great! I want to jump on that plate and devour the burger. The only blue cheese burgers that I haven’t liked is when the cheese is only put on top as crumbles. When it is stuffed inside or added to the burger mix, I love it.
Lea Ann says
February 19, 2012 at 2:53 pmChris, I did jump on that plate and devour! 🙂 After this, I’m a blue cheese burger cheerleader.
RaeDi says
February 19, 2012 at 8:00 pmWow! These look incredible. I love blue cheese and to mix it all and the sauce and fries… we will be doing these soon and I will let you know what we think! Love it!
Lea Ann says
February 20, 2012 at 6:20 amThanks RaeDi. Hope you enjoy them.
Bo W says
February 19, 2012 at 10:02 pmLea Ann that is a really good looking burger!
Lea Ann says
February 20, 2012 at 6:20 amThanks Bo
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
February 20, 2012 at 4:11 amI’ve had a couple of blue cheeseburgers and some I thought were wonderful and others I thought were too rich and tasted fatty. I bet it had to do with what kind of blue cheese they used. I’m so glad you brought that up. It explains it.
Love your presentation. I’ll have to look into the fries. I clicked over to see more and they sound very interesting. I’m going to keep my eye out for them.
Sam
Lea Ann says
February 20, 2012 at 6:19 amThe two blue cheeseburgers I’ve had were pre-made patties from Whole Foods. Didn’t like them, I’ll have to ask next time I’m in there what kind of cheese they use. Those fries are really good Sam. Yesterday, I bought three more of their products.
Karen Harris says
February 20, 2012 at 6:20 amI love a good burger and these have my mouth wateing. There is nothing like the salty tang of blue cheese with a little heat from some hot sauce. Love this combination.
Jenn's Food Journey says
February 20, 2012 at 7:25 amI’ve never met a burger I didn’t love!!! YUM!
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:15 amI sometimes think that too Jenn. 🙂
Yvette ~ Muy Bueno says
February 20, 2012 at 9:36 amWOW! I’ve never mixed blue cheese in the meat. I bet they taste amazing with the addition of the spices and the marinading time. Will definitely be trying this recipe on our next hamburger night. And I LOVE sweet potato fries. YUM!
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:14 amYvette, going forward this is my go-to burger recipe.
dan says
February 20, 2012 at 9:54 amLove blue cheese burgers and wow! Yours look and sound so good.
Are we sure it’s not bleu ?
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:13 am::::wadding up a little foil Dove candy wrapper and bouncing it off your head. 🙂
Vickie says
February 20, 2012 at 10:30 amI love blue cheeseburgers and this one looks delicious. What caught my eye, though was the sauce extravaganza sitting in the background. Those ingredients are some of my favorite flavors. Now I can’t wait to sprinkle Aleppo on some Meyer Lemon Aioli . . . just can’t get enough of those salty little pepper flakes! (thanks for sharing those) LOL about the Arctic Circle. Dog Days of Winter up here, too.
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:13 amI really liked that sauce Vickie. Seemed perfect with those fries. I’m in love with that aleppo. Yes, salty and so rich in color and flavor.
Drew says
February 20, 2012 at 9:39 pmI like all your posts, Lea Ann, but this one really hit me in my sweet spot. I need to make these!
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:12 amThanks Drew. 🙂
Barbara says
February 21, 2012 at 4:29 amI’ve made them with Stilton and loved them….so I bet these would be excellent. Maytag is a tad less strong than Stilton, but still sounds wonderful.
I remember having my first blue cheese type burger back in Michigan in the 60’s…believe it or not….in an funky little burger joint that was in in a railroad station and had trains circling the ceiling.
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:11 amThat’s amazing Barbara. Maybe one of the guys back in the 60’s used to work on the Silver Spur Ranch. 🙂
Joanne says
February 21, 2012 at 6:00 amI can never really tell the difference between blue cheese and gorgonzola…but I bet either would be delicious in these burgers! THey sound pretty awesome.
Lea Ann says
February 21, 2012 at 6:10 amSeems like the brands of gorgonzola I’ve had have a stronger flavor than blue cheese. Maybe because I always pick up Maytag, which is a mild blue.
Mary at Deep South Dish says
February 24, 2012 at 11:19 amThat is one delicious looking plate!
Lea Ann says
February 25, 2012 at 5:23 amThanks Mary
Lea Ann says
February 26, 2012 at 6:56 amThanks Mary.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
February 24, 2012 at 8:15 pmI was thinking to myself “Lea Ann certainly can’t be grilling” and then you answered my thoughts. I sometimes like a burger that has been cooked in a skillet. It adds a certain taste that brings back memories of some great burgers that I have had in a diner. I’ll try Maytag on the next burger. Mine will have to be in a skillet as well.
Lea Ann says
February 25, 2012 at 5:24 amWe had 10 more inches of snow a couple of days ago, I probably won’t be grilling until April.
Lea Ann says
February 26, 2012 at 6:57 amKaren, my cast iron seers a really nice burger. But I do prefer grilling weather. 🙂
Karen says
February 28, 2012 at 5:36 pmOh, my that does sound wonderful. And here I am… should be in the kitchen starting dinner and nothing I’m going to make tonite is going to be as good as that hamburger. Love bleu cheese!
Lea Ann says
March 1, 2012 at 9:17 amThat burger was great Karen. You’re such a good cook, I’m sure what ever you whip up will be delicious. 🙂