Name: Elephant & Castles The Standard Burger Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for cooking); 0.25 cups mayonnaise; 2 tbs ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tbs sweet pickle relish; 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar; 0.25 tsp smoked paprika; 0.25 tsp garlic powder; 0.25 tsp onion powder; 0.125 tsp salt; 0.125 tsp black pepper; 2 units hamburger buns (split); 2 slices american cheese slices; 2 leaves romaine or iceberg lettuce leaves; 0.5 units tomato; 0.25 units red or yellow onion; 6 slices dill pickle slices; 1 tbs unsalted butter (softened, for toasting)

Method

Burger Patties

Form patties

Divide the ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently form into patties roughly 4.5 inches in diameter and about 3/4-inch thick. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to minimize dome-shaping while cooking.

Season

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

Cook patties

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When hot and shimmering, place the patties in the pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side without moving to develop a crust. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes on the second side for medium (adjust time for desired doneness). In the final 30–60 seconds of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the pan briefly to melt the cheese.

House Burger Sauce

While patties cook, make the sauce. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust seasoning or acidity (a few more drops of vinegar or a pinch of sugar) to balance. Refrigerate until ready to assemble. Makes about 1/3 cup.

Toppings & Buns

Prepare produce

Slice the tomato into two 1/4-inch thick slices. Thinly slice the onion into rings and separate. Rinse and pat lettuce leaves dry. Set aside pickle slices.

Toast buns

Spread the softened butter on the cut sides of the hamburger buns. After removing the cooked patties from the skillet, place buns butter-side down in the same skillet over medium heat and toast until golden brown, about 1–2 minutes.

Assemble burgers

To assemble: spread about 1.5 tablespoons of the house burger sauce on the bottom bun. Place lettuce leaf, then the cheeseburger patty, top with tomato slice, a few onion rings, and 3 pickle slices. Smear a little sauce on the top bun (about 1 teaspoon) and place on top. Serve immediately.