Name: Elephant & Castles The Standard Recipe
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tbs vegetable oil; 2 pieces burger buns (soft hamburger buns, brioche or potato); 1 tbs unsalted butter, softened; 2 slices American cheese slices; 4 leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce, leaves; 1 piece ripe tomato; 0.25 piece red or white onion; 6 slices dill pickle slices; 0.25 cups mayonnaise; 2 tsp ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tbs sweet pickle relish; 0.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 0.25 tsp garlic powder; 0.25 tsp onion powder; 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar; 0.125 tsp salt; 0.0625 tsp black pepper

Method

House Burger Sauce

Mix sauce

Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes for flavors to meld (can make up to 2 days ahead).

Prepare Produce & Buns

Slice tomato into 1/4-inch rounds. Thinly slice the onion into rings or half-rings. Separate and wash lettuce leaves, then pat dry. If desired, lightly salt the tomato slices.

Butter the cut faces of the buns with softened butter.

Toast the buns: heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat, add the buttered bun faces down and toast until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

Make Patties & Cook

Divide the ground beef into 2 equal portions (for 2 burgers). Gently shape each portion into a patty about 4 inches across and 3/4-inch thick, making a shallow depression in the center with your thumb to prevent doming.

Season both sides of each patty with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper just before cooking.

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and swirl to coat.

Place the patties on the hot surface and cook without moving for 3 minutes to develop a good sear.

Flip the patties and cook 2–3 more minutes for medium (adjust time ±1 minute for desired doneness). Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty, cover the pan with a lid or a skillet for 30–45 seconds to melt the cheese.

Remove patties and let rest 1–2 minutes while assembling.

Assemble The Standard

Spread about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of house burger sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun.

Place 2 lettuce leaves over the sauce, then a slice or two of tomato (1–2 slices per burger depending on size). Add a few rings of sliced onion and 3 pickle slices.

Set the cheeseburger patty on top of the toppings (cheese-side up). Spread a thin additional swipe of sauce on the inside of the top bun if desired, then close the burger.

Serve immediately with fries or chips.