Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery›Burgers Recipe

Burgers Recipe

Inspired by Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery
Time35m
Serves4

Make Burgers Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Beef Patties

Buns & Toppings

Sauce

Method

Sauce

  1. 1

    Make the burger sauce

    In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth, taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate while you prepare patties (can be made up to 2 days ahead).

Beef Patties

  1. 2

    Prepare meat mixture

    Place the ground beef in a mixing bowl. Add kosher salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and neutral oil. Gently mix with your hands or a spatula until combined; avoid overworking to keep patties tender.

  2. 3

    Form patties

    Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Form each portion into a patty about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and slightly wider than your buns. Press a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming while cooking.

  3. 4

    Chill briefly (optional)

    Place formed patties on a tray and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes if you have time; this helps them hold together when cooking.

  4. 5

    Cook patties

    Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add a small amount of neutral oil and swirl to coat. Place patties in the pan without crowding. Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes more for medium (internal temp ~145°F/63°C). In the last 30–60 seconds of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover the pan briefly to melt.

Buns & Assembly

  1. 6

    Toast buns

    While patties cook, split the buns and spread the cut sides with softened butter. Toast cut sides in a separate skillet over medium heat or in the oven under broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

  2. 7

    Assemble burgers

    Spread about 1–2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce on the bottom bun. Place a lettuce leaf on the sauce (optional to keep bun from getting soggy), add the cheeseburger patty, then top with tomato slice, 2 pickle slices, and a few rings of red onion. Spread sauce on the top bun and close the burger.

  3. 8

    Serve

    Serve immediately while hot with your choice of side (fries, salad, or chips). Leftover patties can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

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