Wagyu Burgers with Smashed Avocado & Candied Bacon

Today sees the release of Aldi Wagyu burgers in their stores nationwide. They are part of the Aldi “special buys” range and are only available while stocks last. All I can say is get down there sharpish. They are going to disappear off the shelves as fast as the Wagyu steaks – sold by Aldi last summer.

These specially selected burgers are produced from grass fed cattle in New Zealand and are available at a sensibly priced £2.99 for two mammoth burgers, the type you normally only find at the coolest street van or most fashionable “no bookings taken” burger joint.

Toni Baines, MD of corporate buying for Aldi says:

““At Aldi our shoppers love to try out lots of specialist products, and Wagyu is no exception. Following the frenzy around the Wagyu steaks Aldi sold last summer, we wanted to offer something new that would excite our customers. Aldi’s Specially Selected Wagyu Burgers are made from premium quality Wagyu beef, and are available at an everyday low price, which our customers have come to know and love.”

I was lucky enough to receive some of the wagyu burgers to try for myself before their official release and they are definitely a burger worth seeking out. Tender, satisfyingly plump and juicy with a natural earthy sweet flavour. I could not believe how easily my knife cut through the meat with even the lightest of touches. They are a burger equivalent of a freshly baked, just out of the oven scone. The meat melts into bun disappearing all too quickly. I find it impossible to eat a burger slowly, especially one as good as this.

Smashed avocado and candied bacon were the partners of choice for my Aldi wagyu burger along with some oven baked smoked paprika onion rings. These are perfect accompaniments to pimp the burgers to the heady heights of burger perfection. The only dilemma would be to enjoy it with a dollop of ketchup or mayo. Also make sure you choose a good brioche burger bun. A good burger must be served in a beautifully bronzed bun, like these ones which Aldi also happen to supply, again from their  “Specially selected” range.

Remember to be quick, the burgers are released today 5th March. Don’t expect them to be there for long.

Disclosure: Recipe commissioned by Aldi. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Aldi Wagyu Burgers

A juicy, tender Wagyu beef burger served with avocado & bacon.

Course Main Course, Meat

Cuisine American

Keyword wagyu burgers

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 2

Author Laura Scott

Ingredients

• For the burgers:)
• 2 Aldi wagyu beef burgers
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 2 Brioche burger buns
• 1 Smashed avocado
• 4 slices Candied bacon.
• For the candied bacon:)
• 1 packet Smoked streaky bacon
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Light muscovado sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.
• For the smashed avocado:)
• 1 Avocado the pulp smashed with a fork,
• 1/2 Lemon juiced
• 1/2 red chilli de-seeded & finely chopped
• For the baked onion rings:)
• 2 medium White onions peeled, kept whole then sliced into chunky rings and the layers separated,
• 150 ml Buttermilk
• 3 tbsp Wholemeal flour
• 4 tbsp Masa harina Mexican flour or polenta,
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• Olive oil spray
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. For the baked onion rings:)

2. Place the onion rings and the buttermilk into a shallow container, mix well and leave to soak for up to 12 hours but 4 hours will do,

3. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees then measure the flours, salt & pepper into a bowl and dip the onion rings into it coating each piece with some of the mixture. Place them onto a lined baking tray and spray with olive oil spray,

4. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes turning the onions over half way through cooking and spray with a little more oil,

5.  After 30 minutes remove from the oven, sprinkle with the smoked paprika and eat with the burger.

6. For the smashed avocado:)

7. Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl, season well, add in the lemon juice and the chilli (if using) then set aside.

8. For the candied bacon:)

9. Pre-heat the oven to 170 degrees,

10. Measure the maple syrup, brown sugar and mustard into a bowl then add in the bacon and coat each piece in the sauce,

11. Transfer the bacon to a lined baking tray then bake in the oven for 25 minutes until it is beginning to brown around the edges then set aside.

12. For the burgers:)

13. Heat 2tbsp oil in a saucepan and brown the burgers briefly on each side before transferring to the oven (in the pan) to finish off cooking for 15 minutes,

14. Remove from the oven and place the burgers in the brioche buns, to with smashed avocado and candied bacon. Serve with the onion rings and sauces of your choice.

Recipe Notes

You could soak the onions and marinade the bacon the day before but prepare the smashed avocado at the last minute or it will discolour - even with the added lemon juice.
There will be leftover candied bacon which you can enjoy over the next day or two. It is also good with eggs or in salad or as part of a sandwich filling.