June 16, 2026 · 30 min

Ultimate Short Rib Burger with Crispy Zucchini Fries

Dinner30 min1094 cal / serving

Get ready for the burger that beats all others. This stacked masterpiece features a rich short rib blend, melted cheddar, crunchy pickles and red onion on a soft potato bun slathered with mustard and ketchup. It’s everything you crave in a classic burger, but with a clever upgrade.

To keep things balanced, we’ve swapped traditional fries for crispy baked zucchini sticks. Coated in panko and roasted until golden, they’re the perfect lighter side that doesn’t skimp on crunch. One bite and you’ll see why this combo is a game-changer.


Recipe details

Dinner30 min1094 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1094 kcalProtein19.4 gFat63.8 gCarbs107.1 gSugar36.1 gFiber8.8 gSodium2506 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: containsSesame: not detectedMustard: containsCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Cheddar Cheese2 slice Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guide
Dill Pickle1 unit Dill PickleView ingredient guide
Green Leaf Lettuce3 leaves Green Leaf LettuceView ingredient guide
Potato Bun2 bun Potato BunView ingredient guide
Yellow Mustard1 tablespoon Yellow MustardView ingredient guide
Ketchup1 unit KetchupView ingredient guide
Mayonnaise1 jar MayonnaiseView ingredient guide
Zucchini1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guide
Panko Breadcrumbs0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guide
Red Onion1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guide
Olive Oil2 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guide
Saltunit SaltView ingredient guide
Pepperunit PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry all produce. Cut zucchini into ½-inch sticks. Thinly slice 3 rounds of red onion. Thinly slice the dill pickle into rounds.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss zucchini sticks with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise until evenly coated. Add panko breadcrumbs and toss to coat; season generously with salt and pepper. Spread zucchini fries on a lightly oiled baking sheet (some breadcrumbs may fall off). Bake 15-20 minutes, tossing once, until golden and crispy.
  3. Form the short rib burger blend into two patties, each about 6 ounces. Season generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Press a small indent in the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
  4. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook 2-5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness (2 minutes for rare, 5 for well-done).
  5. While burgers cook, split potato buns and toast in the oven for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden.
  6. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese and cover the pan until cheese melts. Spread toasted buns with mustard and ketchup. Assemble burgers: bottom bun, patty with cheese, pickle rounds, sliced red onion, lettuce and top bun. Serve with crispy zucchini fries and remaining sauces for dipping.

Recipe Tips

For extra crispy fries, pat zucchini dry before coating.

Don’t overmix the burger blend; handle gently for tender patties.

Let burgers rest 2 minutes after cooking for juicier results.

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, any melting cheese like American, provolone or Swiss works well.

How do I make the zucchini fries extra crispy?

Make sure they are well-coated with mayonnaise and panko and bake in a single layer without overcrowding.

Can I grill the burgers instead?

Absolutely! Preheat grill to medium-high and cook patties 3-4 minutes per side.

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