Save A playful and hearty platter featuring mini burgers shaped like American footballs—perfect for game day gatherings or themed parties.
I've made these oval burgers for every football season party and they always disappear first.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 500 g (80/20 blend for juiciness)
- Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Ground black pepper: ½ tsp
- Mini burger buns: 12 (oval-shaped if available or regular buns trimmed to shape)
- Cheddar cheese: 6 slices, halved
- Tomato: 1 large, sliced
- Romaine lettuce: 6 leaves, halved
- Ketchup: 3 tbsp
- Mayonnaise: 3 tbsp
- Egg white: 1 (for football lacing decoration)
- Cream cheese: 2 tbsp, softened (for piping laces)
- Red onion: 1 small, sliced into rings
- Pickle slices: as needed
- French fries or potato chips: as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape patties:
- Divide the mixture into 12 portions. Shape each into an oval football shape, flattening slightly to fit the buns.
- Cook patties:
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 2–3 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Add cheese:
- In the last minute of cooking, place half a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Cover to melt.
- Toast buns:
- Toast the buns lightly.
- Assemble burgers:
- Spread ketchup and mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, tomato, and a cheese-topped patty. Add onion rings and pickles as desired.
- Decorate with laces:
- Place the top bun then pipe football laces with cream cheese onto the top of each bun using a piping bag or small plastic bag with corner snipped off.
- Arrange platter:
- Arrange the mini football burgers on a large platter in an oval or football shape. Surround with fries or potato chips for presentation.
Save This recipe always brings my family together cheering and enjoying the game with smiles all around.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, grill pan or skillet, spatula, piping bag or small plastic bag, sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains Gluten (buns), Dairy (cheese, cream cheese), Egg. May contain Soy (Worcestershire sauce), Mustard (mayonnaise). Check all ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (2 mini burgers): Calories 480, Total Fat 26 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Protein 28 g
Save Serve these burgers fresh and warm for maximum enjoyment at your next game day event.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I shape the patties into a football form?
Divide the ground beef into equal portions and gently shape each into an oval, flattening slightly to fit the buns for an authentic football look.
- → What is the best way to melt the cheese on the patties?
Place cheese slices over the cooked patties and cover the pan briefly to let the cheese melt evenly without overcooking.
- → Can I use regular burger buns instead of oval-shaped ones?
Yes, simply trim regular buns into an oval shape to match the football theme while maintaining the texture and flavor.
- → How is the football lacing effect created on the buns?
Pipe softened cream cheese using a bag with a small corner cut to create decorative laces on top of the buns, mimicking football stitching.
- → What side dishes pair best with this platter?
French fries or potato chips complement the mini burgers perfectly, adding a crispy contrast to the soft buns and savory patties.
- → Is there a vegetarian alternative to the beef patties?
Plant-based burger patties can be substituted for the beef to accommodate vegetarian preferences without losing flavor.