Inspired by Jamaican chicken, this recipe is a fun interpretation using jerk onions as a tasty condiment with healthy beef burger patties. Serve with a lovely avocado and green bean salad for a healthy meal. Paleo, gluten-free, low-carb.
You might have had jerk chicken before but have you tried jerk onions? My latest experiment was to use jerk spices and flavours with cooked onions, which I then used as a flavoursome condiment with simple, healthy beef burger patties. It’s a fun and tasty take on the classic Caribbean favourite.
The beef burgers are paired with a quick and easy cucumber, avocado and green bean salad. Turned out to be a great little dinner, super healthy and under 30 minutes!
If you want more complete paleo meals, check out my recipe for Beef Burgers With Garlic Kale & Sweet Potatoes or Sheet Pan Salmon With Green Vegetables. It got lots of thumbs up from my followers.
What Is The Jerk All About?
Jerk is a style of cooking from Jamaica in which meat is marinated with a spicy, tasty mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Jerk seasoning is traditionally used with chicken or pork and is made up of allspice, chilli, cinnamon, green onion, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and salt. There are many variations of jerk spice mixes and mine is probably a combination of what should be in it and what I actually had on hand. It’s certainly not 100% authentic but it’s 100% awesome and delicious.
Cook’s Notes
- You can get allspice powder in most supermarkets but if you can’t find it, use some ground up cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Omit tomatoes, paprika and chilli if avoiding nightshades.
- The patties can be made with ground-up chicken, pork or lamb.
- The jerk onions can also be served with fish and prawns.
- Feel free to serve with a different salad or some greens and sweet potato or plantains if you want more carbs.
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Ingredients
For jerk onions
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions halved and sliced
- Generous pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 long red chilli diced finely (or 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes or powder)
- 2 large cloves garlic diced finely
- 1 teaspoon allspice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme leaves
- Pinch of nutmeg optional
- 1.5 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons Tamari or coconut aminos
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/4 cup water
For the beef patties
- 400-500 g beef mince 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
- 1 large clove of garlic finely grated or diced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Generous pinch of pepper
- 2/3 teaspoon sea salt
- Dollop of coconut oil for cooking
For the salad
- 100 g string green beans tails chopped off
- 1/2 long cucumber diced
- 1/2 large avocado diced
- 4-5 cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
- Handful of fresh coriander leaves cilantro
- 1/3 teaspoon ground cumin
- generous pinch salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Onions:Heat coconut and olive oil over medium heat in a medium pan. Add the onions, chilli and salt and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
- Beef burgers:In a bowl, mix together the beef mince, grated garlic, spices, salt and pepper. Use your hands to work through the meat to make sure the flavours are well incorporated. Make 6 small or 4 larger patties, flatten them and set aside. Heat a dollop of coconut oil in a large skillet and add the patties. Cook for 4 minutes each side, then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Bring a small saucepan of water to boil.
- Back to onions:Once the onions have softened up and turned golden brown, add the rest of ingredients and stir through. Cook for another minute or two, stirring frequently. Then set aside.
- Make the salad:Add the green beans to boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Then strain and rinse under cold water until cool. Dice up (I cut each in three parts) and add to a bowl with cucumber, avocado and tomatoes. Add a little sea salt, pepper, lime juice, coriander seed powder and olive oil and combine.
- Serve the patties topped with the jerk onions and the salad on the side.
Nutrition
Thank you for this recipe this is the first time I’ve come across a jerk onion recipe, as jerk chicken is one of my husbands favorite things in the whole world we’ll be trying this very soon.. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I thought green beans were not paleo. What gives with them in the recipe?
I gotta try this. Jerk onions sound tasty. Thanks for the idea
Looks delicious. Making it this week!
This looks and sounds delicious! I shall be trying this with minced chicken and the jerk onions sound like a great accompaniment. Thanks very much for the posting Irene.
Thank you and enjoy!