Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Herons›Umstead Smash Burger* Recipe

Umstead Smash Burger* Recipe

Inspired by Herons
Time1h
Serves2

Gruyère, Caramelized Onions, Black Truffle Aioli, Herbed Fries

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Ingredients

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Burger Ingredients

Caramelized Onions

Black Truffle Aioli

Herbed Fries

Method

Caramelized Onions

  1. 1

    Prepare the onions

    Slice the yellow onion thinly.

  2. 2

    Cook the onions

    In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and caramelized.

Herbed Fries

  1. 3

    Prepare the potatoes

    Wash and cut the russet potatoes into thin fries.

  2. 4

    Season the fries

    In a large bowl, toss the cut fries with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

  3. 5

    Bake the fries

    Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

Black Truffle Aioli

  1. 6

    Make the aioli

    In a bowl, combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of black truffle oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

Burger Assembly

  1. 7

    Shape the burgers

    Divide the ground beef into two equal portions and form them into patties, about 1 inch thick. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.

  2. 8

    Cook the burgers

    In a hot skillet or grill, cook the beef patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired doneness.

  3. 9

    Add cheese

    In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each patty and cover the skillet to melt the cheese.

  4. 10

    Toast the buns

    Toast the burger buns in the same skillet or on the grill until golden brown.

  5. 11

    Assemble the burger

    Spread a generous amount of black truffle aioli on the bottom bun, add the cheeseburger patty, top with caramelized onions, and finish with the top bun.

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