This recipe for Burger Caprese Sandwich takes a juicy burger made from the gold standard Country Natural Beef Butcher’s Blend of brisket, short ribs, and chuck and tops it with pesto, fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, balsamic reduction, basil. It’s SUMMER on a plate and a wonderful meal to make for company. A Whole30 option is included!

two burgers, sliced in half - pictured from above. One of the burgers has a brioche bun, the other wrapped in lettuce. There are layers of cheese, tomato, pesto, lettuce. They are wrapped in paper and have toothpicks through them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love to savor colorful summer produce, you’ll love this perfect BBQ food when you’re trying to impress or when you just need to give your burgers a pop of decadent texture and flavor that everyone will enjoy.

A great way to add a kick of flavor to a burger.
You can customize it to fit a Whole30 lifestyle.
Perfect for a summer BBQ or poolside party.
Serve them on a bun, on top of a salad, or wrapped in lettuce.

package of ground beef to the right of a sheet pan that has parchment paper laying in it, and three raw burger patties

Ingredients You’ll Need

Beef Burger Mix:

Ground Beef – I enjoy using Country Natural Beef Butchers Blend because it’s high quality and makes a great-tasting burger.
Salt & Pepper – Enhances the flavor of the beef.

Caprese Sandwich Topping:

Pesto – Gives the dish a bright herb flavor, color and healthy fats from the olive oil
Heirloom tomatoes – Adds cool, summer sweetness
Fresh Mozzarella – Adds a creamy, cool texture and flavor
Mayo – Binds the filling together with a creamy and tangy base
Balsamic Reduction – a thick drizzle that adds a rich sweetness
Basil– Compliments the mozzarella and tomato in addition to the pesto
Salt & Pepper – Balances the flavors in the filling
Brioche bun or Iceberg lettuce cheeks to house the stacked Burger Caprese Sandwich

three cooked burger patties on a plate in the foreground, and in the background you see yellow and red heirloom tomatoes, a small dish of pesto, and basil

How To Make Burger Caprese Sandwiches

Step 1: Remove the Country Natural Beef Butcher’s Blend from the fridge and allow it to come toward room temperature. Preheat the grill to 450 degrees. Divide the meat into three even balls, and form them into thick, even burger patties.

Step 2: Prepare the toppings and then, simply grill the burgers cooking for approximately 4 minutes with the lid fully closed before flipping and cooking for another 3 minutes. Check with a thermometer and remove at 135 degrees for a medium burger (pictured). If grilling the buns, add them to the grill once it is off for 1-2 minutes watching closely.

Step 3: Lay out the bottom bun or lettuce bun, and spread the mayo. Top the mayo with the burger, pesto, two slices of tomato, mozzarella, balsamic reduction, basil and then the top bun. I highly recommend wrapping the whole burger in parchment paper and slicing in half.

Whole30 Variation Burger Caprese Sandwiches

You can easily turn this decadent burger into a suitable meal that’s Whole30 compliant using a few simple ingredient swaps!

Cream Cheese – While dairy is not allowed on a Whole30 reset, you can use an almond milk cream cheese with Whole30 compliant ingredients.
Lettuce buns – brioche buns look great, but the lettuce bun is a super refreshing and delicious swap to make this Whole30 Compatible.
Dairy Free Pesto – using dairy free pesto that’s either store bought or homemade will enhance the burger with so many herby brightness without the dairy!

Serving & Topping Ideas

Feel free to get as fancy as you like by using your favorite toppings for these delicious burger caprese sandwiches!

Iceberg lettuce buns
Brioche buns
Pretzel Buns
Avocado
Lettuce

Storing Leftovers

Storing: Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the grill or a skillet over medium low heat until warmed through.