Avocado Burgers

These avocado burgers are a family favorite.  My mother made them often during the summer when I was growing up.  It is still one of the menu items most requested by my sisters and I when she cooks to celebrate our birthdays.  They are easy to make and packed with flavor.  The avocado makes them extra tender and moist.  I like to use organic grass-fed beef.  It is worth paying a little extra for.  If you want to know more about why that is, check out the movie Food Inc.  It is very eye-opening.  With all the added ingredients the patties are fragile and need a little extra care when grilling, but it is well worth it!

In a mixing bowl combine 2 lbs ground beef, 1 mashed avocado,  a 4oz can of diced green chilis, 1/4 cup chopped green onion, 2 cloves of garlic minced, 1 Tbsp lemon pepper, and 1 tsp salt.

Use your hands or a potato masher to mix well.

Form into 8 patties and grill over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.  Top with shredded monterey jack cheese for the last minute of cooking.

Serve on a toasted whole-grain bun with fresh sliced tomatoes.
These are also great without the bun served over mixed greens.
Enjoy!