Main Course/ Recipes

Grilled Portobello Burgers with Basil Goat Cheese Spread {and Camera Bag Winner}

Hello, July!

You sure do taste good.

This is one of those totally easy but incredibly delicious summer recipes….perfect for our vegetarian friends during a 4th of July barbecue! And even if you’re not vegetarian, who doesn’t love a juicy grilled shroom topped with melting goat cheese? I think melting goat cheese would even make a shoe taste good.

Okay, that’s weird.

But really— the fresh basil and garlic in this goat cheese spread really puts the whole thing over the top. It would also be super fab on a regular beefy burger….or a turkey sandwich….or a big piece of steak….or top of hot pasta for a little bit of a spin on traditional pesto.

Let’s take another look, shall we? I really need to get a food processor because making this in my blender was a little bit challenging, but definitely worth it. I don’t even think that I have ever even used a food processor, now that I think about it!

And you don’t have to like pesto to like this, by the way. Adam hates pesto (don’t get me started) but LOVED this bella burger with goat cheese spread. I think it helps that I fed him Mama Pea’s cookie dough balls for dessert. Or actually an appetizer. Let’s just say he was a happy boy.

Oh, how I hope you made the buns!!!! Because now it’s go-time.

Buns + juicy grilled mushroom + goat cheese + anything else you can find in your fridge. Serve with some homemade baked beans, old fashioned potato salad (oh my, I get weak in the knees just looking at this recipe!) and cherry mojitos. Then call me. I’m coming over!

Oh! And the winner of the gorgeous Silhouette Camera Bag is….GABY, comment number 1667. Congrats, girl! Send me an email with your shipping address!

Portobello Burgers with Basil Goat Cheese Spread

makes 4 burgers

Print this recipe!

Ingredients:

4 large portobello mushrooms, stems sliced off

4 hamburger buns (preferable homemade! yes you can.)

4 oz soft goat cheese

1 cup packed fresh basil

1/2 tsp minced garlic

sea salt

1 tbsp olive oil, divided

optional toppings of choice: sliced tomato, caramelized onions, lettuce…

Directions:

Make the goat cheese spread first. In a food processor, combine the goat cheese, fresh basil, minced garlic and a teeny tiny pinch of sea salt. Process until smooth. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Heat up grill to medium high.

Drizzle a little bit of olive oil all over each portobello cap. Sprinkle with salt.

Grill mushrooms for about 6 minutes per side, or until they are very tender and juicy. Once grilled, assemble the burgers. Place a grilled mushroom cap on each bun, topped with a large spoonful of goat cheese spread and whatever additional toppings you choose. Eat. And love.

Time:

20 minutes

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  • Julie Ryan
    July 2, 2012 at 4:07 am

    Wow, this looks unbelievable! I need to make this tonight. Maybe I should make the basil goat cheese spread this morning and put it into an omelette. Oh so excited πŸ™‚

  • katie @KatieDid
    July 2, 2012 at 4:26 am

    he hates pesto whaaaa?! And I can’t believe you’ve never touched a food processor with all the cooking you do, its my most used kitchen appliance!

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated
    July 2, 2012 at 4:29 am

    Wow, I can’t believe he doesn’t like pesto! These look delicious … especially with your homemade buns!!

  • Lauren at Keep It Sweet
    July 2, 2012 at 4:31 am

    These are completely calling my name… need to make that basil goat cheese spread and put it on everything:-)

  • Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama
    July 2, 2012 at 4:32 am

    I love portobello burgers!

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    July 2, 2012 at 4:59 am

    There are so many things going on in this post:
    You with no food processor history.
    Adam not liking pesto.
    Basil goat cheese spread?? Yum!!

  • Kathryn
    July 2, 2012 at 5:01 am

    Love the idea of that basil & goat cheese topping!

  • Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
    July 2, 2012 at 5:23 am

    LOVE portabello’s! Combined with goat cheese makes it even better.

  • britt
    July 2, 2012 at 5:33 am

    i made my first portabello burger a few weeks ago and loved it. but i know it would be even better with this delicious cheese. mmmm!!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It
    July 2, 2012 at 5:44 am

    I’ve been dying to make portabello burgers for my carnivore boyfriend. I think if I slather it in goat cheese it’ll definitely be a win!

  • Lisa
    July 2, 2012 at 5:46 am

    I have to say I’m with Adam here…I have tried and tried to like pesto but I just can’t! I don’t know what it is but I hate it. It always looks so oily! This version looks like something I could do! πŸ™‚

  • Jenna | The Paleo Project
    July 2, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Goat cheese is Everything. I’m kind of upset I read this at 8:46 in the morning on a Monday at work. All I want to do is go home and eat this.

  • Elisabeth
    July 2, 2012 at 6:02 am

    The basil goat cheese looks delicious! I think I’ll serve it on turkey burgers. However, can we talk about you not owning (or ever having used) a food processor?? So surprising πŸ˜‰

  • Ali @ Gimme Some Oven
    July 2, 2012 at 6:05 am

    These look beautiful! And I LOVE the goat cheese and portobello combination! πŸ™‚

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious)
    July 2, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Mmmm! I have some portobello that I really need to use. These look perfect!

  • Lindsey @ Family Food Finds
    July 2, 2012 at 6:15 am

    I simply love goat cheese, but have yet to try it on a burger! This may be the one that does it for me! Thanks for the post!

  • Julia {The Roasted Root}
    July 2, 2012 at 6:34 am

    The flavors on this burger sound perfect for me! I’m not a vegetarian, but I love eating hearty veggie burgers…sometimes even more than beef or turkey burgers. Goat cheese with basil sounds amazing and your portabello is definitely drool-worthy. On a homemade bun, too! awesome!

  • Bev @ Bev Cooks
    July 2, 2012 at 6:47 am

    THIS is what baby cherubs taste like.

  • Jacqueline
    July 2, 2012 at 6:58 am

    I’d be a happy camper too with cookie dough and that burger sitting in front of me!! And, like everyone else, I can’t believe you don’t use a food processor! I LOVE using mine.

  • Caroline L.
    July 2, 2012 at 7:16 am

    Mmmm… I want this!! It looks so mouthwateringly delicious!

  • Katrina
    July 2, 2012 at 7:18 am

    Mmm perfect for summer! Love this!

  • Ariel
    July 2, 2012 at 7:22 am

    YUM! I used to work for a local restaurant that one of my favorite things to order on the menu was the portabello mushroom burger. This is one recipe I will definitely have to give a whirl!

  • Margarita
    July 2, 2012 at 7:33 am

    i never buy hotdogs, but for some reason, my boyfriend convinced me to. i’m going to have to make the hamburger buns recipe of yours and just shape them into hot dog buns! the rising time is pretty long so like you suggest, i will do alot of stuff in between to forget the time. πŸ™‚ love this homemade veggie burger jenna!

  • Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
    July 2, 2012 at 7:35 am

    This looks like a killer combination- goat cheese is mt absolute fave. I would take this over a beef burger any day!

  • joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    July 2, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Agreed about the goat cheese.. this looks gooooooooooooood!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    July 2, 2012 at 7:37 am

    Ahh YES I was right about the portobello when I guessed on Friday! The spread sounds delicious too. Our Canada Day celebrations were yesterday, but I might just have to whip these up later this week. πŸ˜‰

  • Christine @ Take with Food
    July 2, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Looks delish! A great way to use some of the basil that I’m growing.

    I’m not a very fancy cook and don’t have many appliances. But one that I got recently and have really enjoyed is my tiny food processor (http://www.target.com/p/kitchenaid-3-5-cup-food-chopper-empire-red/-/A-13738211) It is small at 3.5 cups (just $40 though), but has been really handy for making a batch of hummus, creamy avocado spread, and many other treats. I’m usually cooking for just two (so the volume hasn’t been an issue) and it gets the job done. Just a thought if you’re interested. πŸ™‚

  • Cookin' Canuck
    July 2, 2012 at 8:09 am

    These burgers, with those gorgeous buns, plus cherry mojitos? Heaven!

  • Suz@avocadoandbasil
    July 2, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Thank you, this is the perfect recipe for the mushrooms and goats cheese just sitting in my fridge!

  • Liz @ Southern Charm
    July 2, 2012 at 8:32 am

    I need to make this goat cheese spread for Wednesday … I should continue to say to bring it to my friend’s grill-out, but I know good and well it won’t leave my house πŸ˜‰

  • Sara Nickel
    July 2, 2012 at 8:39 am

    This looks so light and summery! I will be making this in the very near future. I love the homemade buns too. Fun!

  • Peg
    July 2, 2012 at 8:40 am

    Looks like I’m grill this for 4th of July! BTW- where do you purchase the cute jars that you served the cherry drinks in?

    • jenna
      July 2, 2012 at 9:25 am

      Those are just mason jars from the hardware store. Awesome and cheap!

  • Cait's Plate
    July 2, 2012 at 8:49 am

    These look PERFECT. From top to bottom!

  • Liz @ The Intrepid French Learner
    July 2, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Yum!

    Funny you mention putting the goat cheese mixture on top of hot pasta… I did exactly that on Friday night. My husband was working very late because it was the end of the fiscal year, and we hadn’t gone shopping. I looked around to see what I had, and I had penne pasta, and goat cheese. I mixed the goat cheese with fresh minced garlic, fresh basil from a plant I have in my kitchen, a little salt and pepper, and some olive oil. Then I put it over the hot pasta and mixed it all up.

    It was delicious! Very satisfying.

    This might sound weird, but you can get amazing goat cheese at Sam’s Club. I can get 16 oz – a pound! – of goat cheese for around $8.00, and it’s the best goat cheese I’ve ever eaten. It’s called Laura Chenel Select – from Sonoma (though apparently her company was bought out by a French company. There was some talk awhile back that the cheese is no longer made in Sonoma, but I believe it is.) I bought it on a whim once because frankly, I never even used to like goat cheese, and it was crazy good.

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    July 2, 2012 at 9:49 am

    I love portobello burgers..they are so perfect in the summer. And Basil Goat Cheese Spread…that sounds like something so fancy and that would make an average night much fancier πŸ™‚

  • Moni Meals
    July 2, 2012 at 10:05 am

    This is the most fantastic burger recipe I’ve seen in a long time. I love portobello-based burgers, very nice Jenna, Yum!!!

  • gia
    July 2, 2012 at 11:17 am

    Jenna! I love this. And I’m wondering if you would be willing to do a post on how to grill??? I’ve always wondered! Do you just use a George Foreman when you cook for yourself or are you actually getting out a real grill? xoxo

  • Full-Flavored Life
    July 2, 2012 at 11:46 am

    This looks delicious!!

  • Marissa@ohhhsolovely
    July 2, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    i don’t know how you do what you do everyday without a food processor! run out & get one now! i love my processor & there are just some things i could not cook (easily) without using it.

  • Lee, Anytime Health
    July 2, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Gotta love easy recipes like this! I’m not sure what I would do with my food processor…she’s my baby!

  • Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See
    July 2, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Goat cheese and mushrooms are always a good idea in my book πŸ˜‰

  • Millie Snyder
    July 2, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Yum! This is mouthwatering! And the buns look delicious too! Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Cassie
    July 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Drooling over this basil goat cheese spread, Jenna. Love the whole burger!

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    July 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Oh yes please! This looks delicious. I think I would be eating the goat cheese spread with a spoon before the night was over.

  • Meghan @ After the Ivy League
    July 2, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Mmm basil goat cheese spread, sounds perfect! I have some leftover basil in the fridge too this looks like the perfect way to use it up!

  • Beth
    July 2, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Made the buns yesterday. They are soooo ready for this delicious combination. I may cheat and just mix pesto (I have pesto in the freezer from last summers basil crop) with the goat cheese or even spread goat cheese and pesto on the sandwich. Trying to use what I have in the freezer so I can put up some fresh this summer. I think a slice of tomato will be topping my sandwich. Oh, and nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I can’t wait!!

  • Amanda
    July 2, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Those look divine! Yum!

  • Julia H. @ Going Gulia
    July 2, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    I’m sold on anything with the words “goat cheese” in the title. These are just in time for July 4th πŸ™‚

  • A Patriotic affair… «
    July 2, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    […] the Veggie friend, this recipe is from one of my favorite blogs EatLiveRun.Β  Grilled Portobella Burgers with Goat Cheese […]

  • Ben
    July 2, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    Jenna,
    I have been reading and subscribing to your blog for a couple years now and let me say this: Your blog is AMAZING, I LOVE IT!! you are one of the longest blogs I have followed and I will continue to follow for a long time to come. This is why I have chosen to nominate/award you β€œOne Lovely Blog Award” you can read all about it and my selections on my blog and hopefully follow me as I follow you.
    yours truly
    -Ben-
    twitter: eatinglivingrun
    instagram: benncarrier
    facebook: eatinglivingrunning

  • Grace (My Spare Oom)
    July 2, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Veggie option for the 4th – <3! And goat cheese. Perrrrrfect!

  • Sonal
    July 3, 2012 at 1:35 am

    I have GOT to make this….now! Goats cheese is hands down my favourite πŸ™‚

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  • Crystal
    July 3, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I made this for lunch today, it was good! I added a little lemon juice and black pepper to the cheese. I can’t believe how quickly it came together and how light AND filling it was. Happy Independence Day!

  • whaleshark
    July 3, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    I love portobello burgers! So delicious and healthy. I will try this one, can’t wait. Thanks.

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  • The Healthy Apple
    July 5, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    I am craving a burger and totally making this tomorrow night. Love it, Jenna!

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    July 12, 2013 at 12:25 pm

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