There's something about the smell of a sizzling burger right when it hits the grill that instantly puts me in the summer mindset. Even better, though, is biting into a perfectly juicy and flavorful patty, knowing that it's made from high-quality and sustainably-sourced ingredients. 

That's where TRIBALÍ Foods comes in. I got the chance to speak with CEO and founder Angela Bicos Mavridis and sample some of their patties. She has a unique background in food that put her in the perfect mindset to create a truly unique patty. 

About TRIBALÍ Foods

After fueling her rigorous fitness routine with plant-based protein for 35 years, TRIBALÍ Foods founder Angela Mavridis "rediscovered the nurturing power of real foods." As a holistic nutritionist and mom, Angela wanted to get away from supplements and reincorporate nutrient-dense animal proteins. 

Originally, Angela was a vegetarian for three reasons: "moral, environmental, and health." When she started eating meat again, she didn't want to lose sight of those values. Therefore, Angela created a product from "animals raised in an environment where they are treated humanely and living their lives grazing on pastures, the way nature intended." 

Not only does this create a better life for the animals, but it creates a beef product full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. As Angela has discovered, cows and chickens that are humanely-raised produce more nourishing and better-tasting meat. 

The Patties

Because Angela's father was the owner and operator of a fast-food joint serving amazing burgers, she knew how to build a killer burger from a young age. This shines through in TRIBALÍ Foods through the unique flavors that go so far beyond your typical burger.

I asked Angela how she made TRIBALÍ Foods patties different from any other:

"I started experimenting with high-quality meats and seafood—always organic, grass-fed, pastured, free-range, wild-caught—and mixing in various vegetables, spices, herbs and purées to bring out flavors that could make the patty a meal in and of itself."

And so, TRIBALÍ Foods was born. Now there are Mediterranean and Umami-flavored beef patties available, as well as Chipotle chicken. Not only are the patties non-GMO and gluten, dairy, and soy-free, but they're also Paleo-certified and Whole 30-approved. 

You'll find 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef mixed with roasted garlic, onion, and tomato as the primary flavors in the Mediterranean patty.  Lemon was also added to give a refreshing tang without overwhelming the other flavors.

The umami beef patties were my personal favorite just because they were so unique. Along with fire roasted garlic and onion, there were shiitake mushrooms, nori seaweed, fish sauce, and umami spices to give this patty Eastern flavor. 

I have to admit that I was a little cautious in sampling the chipotle chicken patties. In all my life, I'd never had a chicken burger that wasn't dry. I can officially say that I have been converted.

These chicken patties were just as moist as their beef counterparts. Plus, the poblanos, red bell peppers, chipotle spices, garlic, and onion completely transformed the usually bland chicken into a flavor bomb.

In addition to more flavors of beef and chicken patties, there are pork, lamb, and seafood patties on the way from TRIBALÍ Foods. If the patties that are already out are any indication, you're going to want to try the new flavors as soon as they're available. 

Nontraditional Recipes

I think that Angela put it perfectly when I asked her how we can all use TRIBALÍ Foods patties in our lives:

"We all aspire to cook fresh, batch cook, and meal prep, but the reality is that life often gets in the way." 

Whether you're preparing for an all-out Memorial Day party with all of your friends and family, or if you're stuck at work or school, TRIBALÍ Foods can make your day just a little bit more convenient.

All you have to do is pull the patties straight out of the freezer and they can be ready by broiling, grilling, or pan frying in less than 10 minutes. And because the patties are so simple, you can easily make burgers for a crowd or get creative with incorporating the patties into your everyday meals.

Angela encourages customers to surround the patties with seasonal veggies and healthy fats for a well-rounded meal. The umami patties transform into an Eastern feast in a veggie stir fry. Whole 30 challengers can make the Mediterranean patty a satisfying meal with cauliflower tabbouleh. Chipotle chicken patties can even make for an amazing brunch when they're used to make this taco frittata. 

My favorite way to use the patties was in veggie-packed bowls that I could meal-prep for the week. I combined the Mediterranean beef patty with fresh zucchini, pesto, and spinach. The Umami beef made some amazing lettuce wraps with asian-inspired toppings like sliced carrots, cucumbers, and cabbage. And I used the chipotle chicken patties to make burrito bowls with black beans, cauliflower rice, and avocado. 

Where to Buy TRIBALÍ Foods

Lucky for you, TRIBALÍ Foods patties are hitting grocery chains around the country just in time for National Burger Month celebrations.

If you're tuning in from the West Coast, you're in luck. All three varieties of the patties are most likely already on the shelves of your local Whole Foods, Erewhon, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres.

For the rest of the country, you don't have to wait long before biting into a patty either. The Mediterranean beef and Chipotle chicken patties are about to be loaded onto SuperTarget shelves in 185 stores nation-wide, just in time for Memorial Day 2018. 

If you haven't had time to celebrate May with a burger, be sure to pick some up before Memorial Day. They're sure to become both a party favorite and a go-to meal prep staple.