Cheeseburgers come to mind when you think about comfort food. The tender beef patty, hot cheese and salty tastes in a doughy bun are just too good to resist. But what would you think about being able to have all the tasty goodness of a cheeseburger in a pocket that fits easily and can be carried anywhere? Add cheeseburger pockets – an excellent twist on the standard burger that fits great during busy times, in lunch boxes or even as a fun family dinner.
In this post, we will explore the reason why cheeseburger pockets are so great, a healthy and delicious recipe and some of the creative ways you can make them to keep your taste buds happy. These pockets are going to become a new favorite ingredient in your recipe collection regardless of whether you are a beginner cook or an accomplished foodie.
What are Cheeseburger Pockets?
Cheeseburger pockets are small pies/turnovers that have the typical burger contents of ground beef, melted cheeses, and sometimes onions or other vegetables all packed into a crispy or flaky crust. They are handheld cheeseburgers that do not require the bun or toppings to slide down like eating fat foods.
These pockets are very versatile. They can be baked with puff pastry or pie dough or even pizza dough and can be made custom to your tastes and your dietary needs. And they are easy to prepare and freeze to make stressful weekdays simpler.
Reasons to buy Cheeseburger Pockets?
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Portability: They are easy to carry along and can be used in on-the-go food or lunch boxes.
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Portion Control: Pocket Sizes: Pocket sizes are all the right sizes.
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Flexibility: Eat varieties of meat, cheeses, and vegetables.
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Kid-Friendly: A yummy and entertaining way to make the mealtime appealing to the kids.
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Healthy Alternatives: You can have a healthy meal by eating whole grain dough or adding vegetables.
Cheeseburger Pockets Recipe.
The central idea of this recipe is to find the balance between taste and health and to work with lean ground beef, whole grain or puff pastry dough and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
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1 pound lean ground beef (90 percent or more lean)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp dried oregano
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or the cheese of your choice)
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1 package puff pastry dough or whole wheat dough.
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1 egg (for egg wash)
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Parsley or chives to serve (optional)
Instructions
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Make the filling: Ground beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Add onions and garlic, and saute till transparent. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
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Rolling the dough: Thaw the dough if puff pastry; follow the directions on the package. Shake it out in squares or rectangles, 4-5 inches.
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Prep the pockets: On one side of all the squares of dough put a spoonful of the beef mixture. Add shredded cheese to the beef.
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Closing the pockets: Bend the dough onto the filling to form a triangle or a rectangle shape. Tighten edges of the crust with a fork.
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Add egg wash: Whisk together the egg and brush over the tops of each pocket. This will provide them with a beautiful golden brown look after baking.
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Bake: Put the pockets into a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat an oven at 375degF (190degC) and bake 20-25 minutes or until puffed with golden hue.
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Serve: Top with fresh parsley or chives and eat warm!
How to make the best Cheeseburger Pockets.
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Filling: The filling should not be filled to overflowing as it will burst when baking.
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Work with cold dough: Puff pastry should be kept cold so that it becomes flaky.
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Add vegetables: Add finely chopped bell pepper, mushrooms or spinach as a healthy addition.
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Cheese options: Experiment with various kinds of cheese such as mozzarella, pepper jack, or gouda.
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To prepare in advance: Fill pockets (before baking) onto a tray and then put them in a bag. Freeze and bake, adding several minutes to the cooking time.
Creative Variations to Try
BBQ Cheeseburger Pockets
You can add beef mixture to a favorite BBQ sauce to give the beef a smoky and tangy flavor.
Tex-Mex Style
Add some black beans, corn as well as taco seasoning to the meat. Upon baking, add to the top a dollop of sour cream and a slice of cheddar cheese.
Veggie-Packed
To make it vegetarian, you can use sautéed mushrooms, lentils or plant-based meat alternatives as well as cheese and any other favorite seasoning.
Breakfast Cheeseburger Pocket.
Include scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage to the filling to make it a hearty breakfast treat in the morning.
Pairing Ideas
Cheeseburger pockets are good all by themselves, but can be served with:
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A green salad or coleslaw of fresh green vegetables.
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Oven baked fries of sweet potatoes.
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Pickles or savory dipping sauce, such as mustard or ketchup.
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A serving of cooked vegetables to make a complete meal.
The Managerial magazine states reasons why these pockets are excellent in families.
Cheeseburger pockets will be popular with busy parents since they take little time to make and children enjoy them. They can be tailor-made to the choosy market – leave the onions out or sprinkle in extra cheese. In addition, leftovers can be frozen or stored in order to make another meal and save time and waste.
Final Thoughts
Cheeseburger pockets are a tasty variation of the traditional cheeseburger with a new twist. They are portable, delicious, and multi-purpose. These pockets work whether you want to prepare a quick dinner during the week, are making lunches, or need tasty, party-style appetizer ideas.
The above recipe is healthy; however, you can also vary ingredients and seasonings to make the recipe your own. When you see, it is all about cooking and fun!
Why not have cheeseburger pockets then? That cheesy crispy pocket could be the new favorite meal of your family.
