Washington Cougar Gold Cheese-Stuffed Burgers

Introduction

Juicy, smoky, and rich—these Washington Cougar Gold Cheese-Stuffed Burgers are a tribute to local flavor and outdoor cooking perfection. Using the Arteflame grill, we get a steakhouse-quality sear at over 1,000°F and finish these burgers on the flat steel griddle for mouthwatering, juicy results. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor—grilling doesn’t get better than this.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground chuck (80/20 blend)
• 6 oz Cougar Gold Cheese, cut into small cubes
• 4 brioche hamburger buns
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for grilling)
• Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles
• Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Pour a little vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the oiled napkins in the fire bowl of the Arteflame grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins.
4. Light the napkins and allow the grill to come up to temperature—about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Burger Patties

1. Divide the ground chuck into 8 equal portions.
2. Flatten each portion into a thin patty.
3. Place 1-2 cubes of Cougar Gold Cheese in the center of 4 patties.
4. Top with the remaining patties and press edges to seal tightly.
5. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 3: Sear the Burgers on the Center Grate

1. Add butter onto the center grate for flavor and to prevent sticking.
2. Sear each burger over the center grill grate (1,000°F) for 1–2 minutes per side.
3. This locks in the juices and creates a caramelized crust.

Step 4: Finish the Burgers on the Flat Top

1. Move the burgers to the flat top griddle surrounding the center grate to continue cooking.
2. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium (remove from grill at 120°F).
3. Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes—carryover cooking will bring them to your desired doneness.

Step 5: Toast the Buns and Assemble

1. Brush the buns with butter and place cut-side down on the flat top griddle.
2. Toast until golden brown (1–2 minutes).
3. Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.

Tips

• Always keep cheese well-contained inside the patty to avoid leakage and burning.
• Use the hotter inner zones of the Arteflame cooktop to manage cook times precisely.
• Butter adds a rich flavor over oils—don’t skip it.
• Let your burgers rest after cooking to redistribute juices.
• Check burger temperature with a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.

Variations

1. Spicy Jalapeño-Stuffed Burger: Add diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for a fiery twist.
2. Bacon BBQ Burger: Mix cooked, crumbled bacon into the patty and top with BBQ sauce before serving.
3. Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Burger: Replace Cougar Gold with Gruyère and add caramelized onions to the center.
4. Mushroom Swiss Burger: Mix sautéed mushrooms with Swiss cheese for a classic combination.
5. Bleu Cheese Bison Burger: Use ground bison and fill with crumbled bleu cheese for a leaner, tangy profile.

Best pairings

• Grilled asparagus with butter on the flat top
• Charred sweet potato wedges with a dash of sea salt
• Washington craft beer (like an IPA or amber ale)
• Apple coleslaw with red cabbage and honey vinaigrette
• Grilled peaches with brown sugar (for dessert)

Conclusion

This Washington Cougar Gold Cheese-Stuffed Burger lets you enjoy Pacific Northwest flair with the ultimate grilling experience. With the Arteflame grill’s searing heat and versatile flat cooktop, you’ll get steakhouse flavor with every bite—no lid or oven needed.