Buffalo Joes with Blue Cheese and Carrot-Celery Slaw Relish

So because Brooks has been on more of a consistent {knock on wood!} nap schedule recently, I’ve been getting in a groove of DVR-ing some of my favorite morning shows to watch during nap time while I get other stuff done around the house. I love watching cooking shows – they give me such inspiration to try new things and change things up. HGTV is another weakness of mine in the TV world too. But the other day I recorded the Rachael Ray show because the details on the guide said she was going to be doing Buffalo Blue burger – obviously, I was IN!

She had me at celery relish slaw & anything with blue cheese has my heart {but I believe you could swap out the cheese to something more your style if blue cheese is a little harsh for you, even though I think it gives it a little kick!}. This recipe is claimed to taste just like buffalo wings, but on the lighter side since it’s made with ground chicken {or turkey} – and I must say, it tasted like it packed a punch but didn’t leave me feeling overly full, which is always a win in my book.

This burger is tasty, quick to make and full of flavor. I also am obsessed with the slaw relish which is pretty amazing on just about any sandwich or burger! Here’s the how-to, check it out and let me know what you think!

What You Need: 

For the Relish:

• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons super fine sugar
• 1 cup chopped cabbage
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 2 to 3 ribs celery, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• Salt and pepper

For the Buffalo Joes:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
• Salt and pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 Red Fresno or Holland chili peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup turkey or chicken stock
• 1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
• 3 tablespoons (packed) light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 to 8 burger rolls, split
• 2 cups crumbled smoked blue cheese or regular blue cheese crumbles

How To:

For the relish, in a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil and sugar. Add vegetables to bowl and toss with dressing and celery seed; season with salt and pepper. Let the relish stand 30 minutes. Drain.

In a cast-iron or other deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Melt the butter into the oil. When the butter foams, add the meat; season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, until brown, about 10 minutes.

Add the onion, garlic, chiles and allspice. Cook, stirring often, until the onion softens, 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, stock, hot sauce, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Serve the meat piled on the rolls, topped with the blue cheese and relish.

Thanks to the Rachael Ray Show for the recipe inspiration!

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What’s your favorite burger creation?

Please share!

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