Veal Saltimbocca Burgers

A Veal Saltimbocca Burger Recipe is inspired by the classic Roman dish, saltimbocca alla Romana. It’s a signature combo of tender veal, fragrant sage, cheese and salty prosciutto, transformed into a delicious Italian gourmet burger.

Saltimbocca in Italian translates to “jump in your mouth”, referencing the delicious, tasty flavours bursting into one’s mouth.

In this veal burger recipe, the juicy veal patties are layered with peppery arugula, crispy prosciutto and provolone cheese, between two artisanal toasted buns.

There’s so much to love about this recipe. It brings together simple ingredients, yielding restaurant-quality flavors right into your very own kitchen. 

And while it looks elegant enough to serve dinner guests, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether you’re planning your next weekend barbecue or using an indoor grill pan, these burgers are sure to impress.

Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for Veal Burger

• Ground Veal
  Choose lean minced veal for a tender and delicate flavour 
• Prosciutto
  Thin slices of prosciutto become deliciously crisp when oven baked and add a salty bite while complementing the mild veal.
• Fresh Sage
  Fresh sage is the signature herb of saltimbocca. It has an earthy, slightly peppery aroma infusing every bite with an unmistakable aromatic taste.
• Provolone Cheese
  Provolone cheese adds a beautiful richness while allowing the veal and sage to remain the stars of the dish.
• Burger Buns
  A lightly toasted brioche or artisan bun, holds all those delicious layers together.
• Simple Garnishes
  Fresh arugula, crispy prosciutto and crispy sage all complement the taste and texture of the saltimbocca burgers and add a lovely visual appeal.
  

How to Make Veal Saltimbocca Burgers

1 – In a large bowl, combine the ground veal, the minced garlic, fresh chopped sage, salt and pepper.

2 – Divide the ground veal into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into large patties and make an indentation in the middle to prevent burger bulge while cooking. (I used the handle of a wooden spoon).

3 – Brush a stovetop grill pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Cook the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning once. (You can also use a regular frying pan). Repeat with the remaining burgers. Add more oil to the pan if needed for the second batch of burger patties.

4- Meanwhile, place the burger buns on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, brush the buns on both sides with olive oil and broil in the oven for about a minute on each side, just till golden brown. Keep an eye on them so they do not burn. Set aside while the burgers finish cooking.

5 – Assemble the hamburgers by first layering a handful of arugula on the bottom half of the bun.

6 – Top the arugula with the grilled veal patties, two slices of provolone cheese, the crisped prosciutto and the remaining top bun. (See below on how to crisp prosciutto)

How to Crisp prosciutto;

• Preheat oven at 400 degrees F.
• For rounded prosciutto crisps, lay out thinly sliced prosciutto in a circle on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and top with a second, rounded prosciutto slice. Bake for approximately 8 minutes or until crisp, taking care not to burn the prosciutto slices.
• For crisp, crumbled prosciutto, lay the slice flat on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Allow the crispy prosciutto to cool, and crumble it with your hands. You can use the crumbled prosciutto as a garnish on top of the burger buns.

Serving Suggestion;

Round out your Italian veal burger with parmesan-crusted potatoes with asparagus, oven-roasted potatoes with fennel, or a fresh watermelon and arugula salad. 

These burgers also pair wonderfully with a side of crunchy kettle chips for that carefree summer feeling. Just because… sometimes the simplest side dishes are the most satisfying for backyard burgers on these hot summer days.

Some of my all-time favourite recipes come from reimagining timeless classics. 

By combining the wonderful and traditional flavours of Saltimbocca alla Romana with the comfort of a perfectly grilled burger, you’ll enjoy a meal that’s both delicious and refreshingly unexpected. 

So, if you’re looking to try something new to share with family or friends, this veal burger recipe is sure to please…and what better way to gather around the table, enjoying every blissful bite, as it practically “jumps in your mouth!”

Happy Cooking!

This post was originally published on June 15, 2015 and republished with updated content and photos on July 20, 2026.