Traeger'ed "Turtle Burgers"

We'vs seen a few pictures of these tasty turtles making the rounds in several BBQ circles as of late, so we thought we'd give them the old Traeger treatment and pass our methods on to you, Traeger Nation!

First, let's break down what we are actually looking at. Obviously, we are not cooking up turtles (although we aren't totally averse to the idea). These burgers are 100% prime angus beef, studded with our favorite hot dogs, and topped with (what else?) a bacon weave!

Fun for kids, ridicuously meaty and tasty for grown ups, these turtle burgers need to make an appearance at your next outdoor gathering.

Traeger'ed Turtle Burgers

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Recommended Pellets: Hickory, Mesquite, Oak

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
4 bun length hot dogs
12 strips bacon
Traeger Beef Shake
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 hamburger buns
Burger topping (pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes)

Preparation:

Start your Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open for 4-5 minutes to establish the fire. Close the lid and turn the temperature to High. Let the grill preheat for 10-15 minutes while you assemble your turtle burgers.

First, slice your hot dog lengthwise then slice each half into thirds. If desired (for artistic effect) cut two slits into the four hot dog ends to create "toes". Then, cut the edges of the remaining two pieces to create a "head" and "tail".

Next, create four patties out of your ground beef. Insert the hot dog feet, head and tails into your patty. Season with Traeger Beef Shake.

Lastly, cut three pieces of bacon in half and weave them together. Lay the bacon weave on top of the patty and press gently.

Place the patty directly on the grill grate (bacon side up) and cook for 7-8 minutes.

Gently flip the burger and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes. When your burgers have about a minute left, top them with a slice of cheese. Cook to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.

Serve on the buns with whatever toppings you like. Enjoy!

Click the link below for a printable version of this recipe:

Traeger'ed Turtle Burgers.docx (13.99 kb)