Patacon Burgers

by Erin

Ever had fried plantains topped with guacamole and other deliciousness? Well I used them as a the buns for an epic burger!

Patacon Burgers 1
THIS POST IS PART OF THE #BURGERMONTH CELEBRATION HAPPENING ALL MONTH LONG ON GIRLCARNIVORE.COM AND ACROSS THE INTERWEBS ALONG WITH 100 OTHER TALENTED FOODIES!! MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW #BURGERMONTH TO CATCH THEM ALL!

Burger Month

Remember when my friend’s mom taught me how to make Colombian patacones? Well I finally got the nerve to try making them myself. While my first batch burned, likely due to the oil being too hot and not paying close attention, the second bath came out great! But instead of topping them the traditional way, I decided to use them as the buns to a burger.

Patacon Burgers 2

The idea for this burger started by signing up for the annual Burger Month blogging event hosted by my BA friend Kita (Girl Carnivore / Pass the Sushi). At first I had a hard time coming up with something I deemed worthy of the occasion. Then I contemplated a sushi inspired burger complete with a rice bun but decided there was too much of that buzzing around the internet lately and wanted to do something more novel. Then at lunch one day, Juan was telling me how he made burgers with arepa buns and I immediately made the jump to patacon buns. And he immediately requested that he get one.

Patacon Burgers 3

The end result was worthy of the first day of Burger Month. A crispy yet dense, slightly sweet, “bun” sandwiched around a juicy burger topped with melted mozzarella, fresh guacamole, and a pink sauce that reminds me of McDonald’s secret sauce – with booze in it. And yes, I saved one for Juan to get his Colombian stamp of approval!

Take a look a other creations I’ve made for #BurgerMonth including: The Pepper Burger (2021), Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Turkey Burgers (2020), Chimichurri Burgers (2019), Sushi Burger (2018), Hard Root Beer Burgers with Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions (2016), and Spicy Mustard & Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers (2014).

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WHILE THIS EPIC BURGER CREATION IS MY OWN FOR #BURGERMONTH 2017, I WANT TO THANK American Lamb Board, Anolon.  Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner, Char-Broil, Curly’s BBQ, Cuttingboard.com, Melissa’s Produce, Primal Stone, Spiceologist , Thermoworks , & Veal Made Easy FOR THE KILLER GRILL PRIZE PACKAGES! HEAD ON OVER TO BURGERMONTH.COM TO PUT YOUR NAME IN TO WIN!

PRIZES:

American Lamb Board – (ALB prize boxes 5 lbs of ground lamb, an apron and a meat thermometer

Anolon – 10″x 18″ Double Burner Griddle and Grill Pan

Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner – prize packs of beefy grilling-themed goodies

Char-Broil – Char-Broil Kettleman Grill

Curly’s BBQ – Curly’s BBQ Pork Pack

Cuttingboard.com – Olive Wood Carver Bo

Melissa’s Produce – Baby vegetable box

Primal Stone – XL Primal Stone

Spiceologist –  4 Rub Grilling Spice Set

Thermoworks –  Thermapen Mk4

Veal Made Easy – 5 lbs Veal and grilling gear

Patacon Burgers 5

One year ago: Weekly Meal Plan: May 2-8

Two years ago: Cheetos Mac & Cheese

Three years ago: Caprese Salad Bagel Bites

Four years ago: Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes

PATACON BURGERS

Serves 4

Ingredients:

PINK SAUCE

1/2 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt)

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tsp brandy

Salt and pepper, to taste

GUACAMOLE

2 avocados, peeled and pit removed

1 small tomato, chopped

2 Tbsp chopped red onion

1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 tsp lime juice

1/4 tsp salt

Ground black pepper, to taste

HOGAO

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (greens and whites)

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

BURGERS

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup hogao (see above)

1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Fresh sliced mozzarella

PATACONES

Vegetable oil

4 green plantains, peeled and cut in half crosswise

Directions:

  1. First make the pink sauce and guacamole. Mix all ingredients for each in separate respective bowls. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. For the hogao, heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add scallions and tomatoes and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper, and cook for another 10 minutes until thickened. Remove to a large bowl and set aside.
  3. Heat the same greased skillet (or a grill) over medium-high heat.
  4. In the bowl containing the hogao, combine with the ground beef, cilantro, and salt and pepper. Form into 4 patties. Grill or pan fry about 4-5 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Top with mozzarella and remove to a plate.
  5. Wipe the pan clean and place over medium heat. Heat 1-inch of vegetable oil until hot. Fry plantains on both sides until the exterior is golden, about 3 minutes. Remove from oil, and immediately flatten (I put it in plastic bag and smashed between two boards by standing on them). Fry again until dark golden. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
  6. Place 1 patacon on a plate, top with burger, guacamole, pink sauce, and another patacon. Repeat with other burgers and serve immediately.

Source: Adapted from Homemade Colombian Patacones.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary non-stick double grill pan from ANALON. I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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35 comments

Spicy Mustard & Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers May 19, 2021 - 10:35 am

[…] Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Turkey Burgers (2020), Chimichurri Burgers (2019), Sushi Burger (2018), Patacon Burgers (2017), and Hard Root Beer Burgers with Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions […]

Reply
Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Turkey Burgers May 19, 2021 - 10:29 am

[…] #BurgerMonth including: The Pepper Burger (2021), Chimichurri Burgers (2019), Sushi Burger (2018), Patacon Burgers (2017), Hard Root Beer Burgers with Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions (2016), and Spicy Mustard & […]

Reply
Susan May 11, 2017 - 6:27 pm

These burgers sound great. Don’t know if they’ll get made, but I really like the idea of how you did them.

Reply
spiffycookie May 12, 2017 - 8:04 am

Thanks! They are definitely more work than the usual burger but worth it if you like fried plantains!

Reply
Kelly May 5, 2017 - 10:51 am

Using plantains was absolutely GENIUS! The whole burger sounds absolutely incredible! :)

Reply
Jenni May 3, 2017 - 2:02 pm

Burger month is off to a delicious start! Nom. :)

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Molly Kumar May 3, 2017 - 2:38 am

OMG, these look so pretty and definitely healthier too. I loved the idea of using the plantains instead of buns for that glutenfree meal and I’d totally try this one.

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spiffycookie May 3, 2017 - 8:46 am

Since they are double fried I’m not sure how much healthier they are, but definitely gluten free!

Reply
Donna May 2, 2017 - 11:28 pm

These burgers sound soooo good, and how creative to make those buns!! I have weirdly never tried plantains, I really need to change that!

Reply
spiffycookie May 3, 2017 - 8:45 am

I don’t think it’s that weird that you haven’t had them before but you should definitely try them!

Reply
Dene' V. Alexander May 2, 2017 - 7:29 pm

I love that these burgers use plantains for the bun! This is so creative and looks delicious!!

Reply
colleen kennedy May 2, 2017 - 2:54 pm

WHAT?? Genius to use plantains as your bun! And the guac on the burger…my stomach is rumbling like a thunderstorm! Yum!!

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spiffycookie May 3, 2017 - 8:45 am

Thanks so much Colleen! I wasn’t sure if people would think me crazy but the feedback has been great!

Reply
Veena Azmanov May 2, 2017 - 10:47 am

I have only eaten plantain as a kid when I was a kid. Can’t remember if I liked it or not.. From your recipe I can tell that I think I will like it.. Very creative recipe.. time for me to explore..

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:42 pm

Happy exploring!

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Amy May 2, 2017 - 10:44 am

Patacones are the BEST! We eat these all the time but I have never thought to use them as a bun replacement! Genius!

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:42 pm

Heck yea I hope you try them!

Reply
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen May 2, 2017 - 9:27 am

This is such a creative recipe! my Mom loves plantains. i have never seen them used in this way. It’s great, especially for those avoiding carbs!

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:42 pm

Definitely gluten-free but I wouldn’t exactly call it health food ;-)

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Adriana Lopez Martn May 2, 2017 - 1:48 am

I have a fancy for patacones and plantains this burger is a must have great combo now I am craving one =)

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:41 pm

If you like patacones then you definitely should try them!

Reply
Sandhya Ramakrishnan May 1, 2017 - 11:27 pm

That is such an innovative burger and I love how you have used plantains in the recipe. Its interesting how you have come up with this combination.

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:41 pm

Thanks! I think my Colombian friends are rubbing off on me.

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Christine McMichael May 1, 2017 - 10:52 pm

YUM! I’ve never had a Patacon Burger before, but looks delicious. Excited to try this one out soon!

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spiffycookie May 2, 2017 - 1:41 pm

I am not sure many people have, it’s definitely not a popular search item on Google. I hope you try it!

Reply
ManilaSpoon May 1, 2017 - 8:00 pm

I love plantains (called saba bananas in the Philippines) and grew up having it for breakfast, lunch and even dinner! But I haven’t tried it in a burger! What a yummy idea!!

Reply
spiffycookie May 1, 2017 - 8:05 pm

I could totally eat plantains any time of day!

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Amanda May 1, 2017 - 5:13 pm

I’ve used plantains, but never like this! These sound amazing. From the “bun” to the sauce, absolute deliciousness!

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spiffycookie May 1, 2017 - 5:41 pm

Time to try it out!! Thanks Amanda.

Reply
Lisa May 1, 2017 - 1:09 pm

Amazing! You have raised the bar from day 1! Nice job!

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spiffycookie May 1, 2017 - 1:26 pm

I felt the pressure to kick it off with a bang! Glad they did the job. Thanks Lisa!

Reply
Jodi @ Create Kids Club May 1, 2017 - 10:44 am

This is so very creative! I have never tried making plantains at home, but I sure enjoy them while I am on vacations to warm destinations.

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spiffycookie May 1, 2017 - 1:26 pm

Thanks Jodi! I clearly don’t go on tropical vacations enough as I think I’ve had them more at home (or at a restaurant in town) than anywhere else!

Reply
Becca Heflin May 1, 2017 - 9:45 am

I’ve never had plantains of any kind, but oh my WOW, this burger looks and sounds flavor packed, Erin! Shared to Cooking with Chef Bec on Facebook!

Reply
spiffycookie May 1, 2017 - 10:00 am

Thanks so much Becca! I was so thrilled with how they turned out.

Reply

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