Grilling season is here, and that means burgers – the No. 1 grilled item in America – are on the menu at backyard cookouts and weeknight dinners across the country.

This summer, upgrade from a simple patty slathered with ketchup and mustard. Create mouthwatering burgers by seasoning the meat, then building with unique toppers and condiments like grilled avocado, mango slaw or lime mayo.

“My favorite burger recipe we developed uses the Grill Mates Smoky Ranchero Marinade to flavor the patty and south-of-the-border condiments like Cotija cheese and grilled avocado as toppers,” said Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens. “When you press the bun down to smash it all together, the avocado, tangy mayo and cheese ooze out over juicy, flavorful meat.”

For more burger recipes and other grilling tips from the annual McCormick Grill Mates Flavor Forecast 2015: GRILLING EDITION, visit www.flavorforecast.com and www.grillmates.com.

Southwestern Smoky Ranchero Burger with Grilled Avocado

Ingredients

Lime Mayonnaise:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 package McCormick Grill Mates Smoky Ranchero Marinade, divided

Stuffed Avocado:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 1/4 cup diced tomato

Burgers:

• 1 pound 80 percent lean ground beef
• 4 kaiser rolls
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Preparation

1. For lime mayonnaise, mix mayonnaise, lime juice and 1 teaspoon of the marinade mix in small bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. For stuffed avocado, halve and seed avocados. Carefully remove peel, leaving each half intact. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Mix cheese and tomato. Set aside.
3. For burgers, mix ground beef and remaining marinade mix until well blended. Shape into 4 patties. Grill over medium heat 4-6 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through (internal temperature of 160ºF). Grill avocado halves, cut-sides down, 30 seconds. Turn over avocadoes. Place 2 tablespoons of cheese mixture into each avocado half. Drizzle with hot sauce, if desired. Grill 4-5 minutes. Toast rolls on grill, open-side down, about 30 seconds.
4. Serve burgers on rolls topped with stuffed avocados and onion slices. Press roll gently to smash stuffed avocado. Serve with lime mayonnaise.

Sponsored by McCormick & Company, Inc.