Chicago-Style Italian Burgers are zesty, sizzling burgers topped with melty cheese and tangy pickled peppers. This is no basic burger recipe!
Summer’s in full swing and there’s no better way to savor the season than with sizzling Chicago-Style Italian Burgers!
One of the most all-time popular recipes here IGE is my Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. Craving the flavor but not something quite as heavy as a crock pot meal, I adapted the ingredients and method to create this zesty, craveable burger.
Juicy, succulent, and PACKED with big flavors!
These Chicago-Style Italian Burgers are actually kind of a mashup between the crock pot sandwiches and my Italian Sub Salad.
If you love the tang of pickled banana peppers and Chicago-style Giardiniera, the saltiness of prosciutto, and savory melted cheese – these burgers are checking all those boxes.
Start by mixing up the homemade Zesty Italian Seasoning using spice cupboard staples including:
- Dried oregano
- Garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Dried parsley
- Sugar
- Dried basil
- Pepper
- Dried thyme
- Celery seed
NOTE: you won’t use the entire seasoning recipe for these burgers so use the leftovers on roasted vegetables or to season chicken or shrimp – YUM!
Add 3/4 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning to a large bowl with 1lb ground beef, 2oz chopped prosciutto, and 1/3 cup drained Chicago-Style Giardiniera, which is a mix of pickled vegetables packed in oil (and one of my all time favorite foods!).
Mix until just combined then form into 4 patties.
I highly recommend La Quercia’s Prosciutto Americano, and Mezzetta’s Chicago-Style Giardiniera or That Pickle Guy’s version. Some people have had trouble locating Chicago-Style Giardiniera for the crock pot sandwiches so definitely ask an employee for help finding it at your grocery store.
At mine, it’s located near the olives/pickles AND near the tomatoes/avocados.
Next, frill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side (or until they’ve reached your preferred level of doneness,) then top with a slice of provolone cheese and let melt.
Top the cheeseburgers with more giardiniera, and a ton of tangy pickled banana peppers, then dig in.
Ultra savory and super satisfying – I hope you love these cheesy Chicago-Style Italian Burgers as much as I do!
Chicago-Style Italian Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 oz prosciutto, chopped
- 1/3 cup Chicago-Style Giardiniera, well drained, plus more for topping
- 3/4 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning Blend, see below
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 buns
- Jarred banana peppers, for topping
For the Italian Seasoning Blend:
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- pinch dried thyme
- pinch celery seed
Directions
For the Italian Seasoning:
- Combine all ingredients in a jar or small bowl then shake or stir to combine. NOTE: you will NOT use all of the blend in this recipe.
For the burgers:
- Preheat grill on high heat for at least 10 minutes (I like to let my grill get to 400-450 degrees.) Meanwhile, add ground beef, prosciutto, giardiniera, and 3/4 Tablespoon of the homemade Italian Seasoning Blend to a large bowl then mix with your hands to combine and shape into 4 patties. Turn heat down to medium-high then add patties and cook for 3-4 minutes a side with the lid closed, or until burgers reach your preferred level of doneness.
- Place cheese slices on top then close grill lid until melted. Transfer cheeseburgers onto buns then top with more giardiniera and banana peppers, and then serve.
Notes
- Use the leftover Italian Seasoning Blend to season chicken or roasted vegetables.
- Look for Chicago-Style Giardiniera near the pickles and olives at your grocery store.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Kristin – why does everything you post look & sound so good?? Thank you for the constant inspiration. Happy 4th!!
Hi Kristin, this looks delicious! I am having trouble locating the Chicago-Style Gardiniera in stores and only can find Italian mix. Should I try to make my own Chicago style or do you think the Italian mix would work? Thanks
I think the Italian Style could work too – just a slightly different flavor since it doesn’t have the fat of the oil like the Chicago-style does, and I think they have a few different vegetables between the two of them. Still, the base of both are pickled vegetables so I imagine you could easily swap! :)
Can I ask what brand of gf buns you use? I’ve only tried a couple brands of gf bread products and some have a weird texture. Would love to find a good gf bread/bun!
These are Canyon Bakehouse buns (found at Super Target as well as both regular and specialty grocery stores.) To be honest I usually eat my burgers naked, but like to show the regular presentation!
That burger looks quite tasty, but to be honest I think the side salad looks much much more delicious!
Haha, it was super good! The homemade croutons were the best part! https://iowagirleats.com/2016/06/24/pizza-salad-homemade-gluten-free-croutons/
I would love to try a veggie burger version inspired by these flavors! Yum!
http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com
This looks and sounds delicious. I must make it. My husband is a picky eater though so I might just have to make for my friend and me or make it with some simpler burgers so he can eat those.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Great twist on one of your best recipes. I cannot wait to try these out. Thanks for introducing me to giardinera.
I LOVE this! Chicago style hamburger grilling like this is irresistible. I’ve saved your recipe for future grilling. Thanks so much for sharing!
love grilling this time of year!! We will be doing lots of grilling at the lake this 4th of July!
Yum! These look absolutely delicious. I love that there’s seasoning in the burgers – take it up a notch in the taste department.
I love the idea to add prosciutto to your burger mix. These sound delicious, Kristin!