Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Big Jud's›Hot Buff Burger Recipe

Hot Buff Burger Recipe

Inspired by Big Jud's
Time30m
Serves2

FRANKS RED HOT SANDWICH SAUCE, PICKLE, ONION, TOMATO, LETTUCE, BACON, PEPPERJACK CHEESE

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Ingredients

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Burgers

Cheese & Toppings

Sauce

Buns & Finish

Method

Sauce

  1. 1

    Make the hot buff sauce

    In a small bowl, whisk together Frank's RedHot sauce, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust heat/sweetness: add up to 1 tbs more Frank's for more heat or 1/2 tsp more honey to tame it. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the rest (at least 5 minutes).

Burgers

  1. 2

    Form patties

    Divide the ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently form each into a patty about 3/4-inch thick and slightly wider than the bun. Season both sides with salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

  2. 3

    Cook patties

    Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tbs vegetable oil, swirling to coat. When the oil is shimmering, add the patties. Cook without moving 3-4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and immediately top each patty with one slice of pepper jack cheese. Cook 3-4 more minutes for medium, or longer to desired doneness. Remove patties to a plate and loosely tent with foil to rest 3 minutes.

Bacon

  1. 4

    Cook bacon

    While the patties cook (or in a separate skillet), lay bacon strips in a cold skillet and turn heat to medium. Cook 3-5 minutes per side until crisp but still slightly pliable. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.

Buns & Assembly

  1. 5

    Toast buns

    Butter the cut sides of the buns. In a clean skillet over medium heat, toast the buns cut-side down until golden, about 1-2 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

  2. 6

    Assemble burgers

    Spread about 1 1/2 tbs of the prepared hot buff sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place a lettuce leaf on each sauced bottom bun, followed by the cheese-topped beef patty, two bacon strips (folded to fit), three pickle slices, two tomato slices, and three red onion rings. Spoon an additional 1 tbs sauce over the onions if you like it saucier. Finish with the top bun.

  3. 7

    Serve

    Serve immediately while hot. Provide extra Frank's RedHot sauce at the table for anyone who wants more heat.

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