Little Beast Cheeseburger Jr. Recipe

Form and season patty

Divide ground beef to make a small junior patty (approximately 2.7 oz / 75 g). Lightly shape into a round patty about 3 inches (7–8 cm) across and 3/8 inch (1 cm) thick. Make a shallow dimple in the center with your thumb. Season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.

Toast bun

Brush the cut faces of the small bun with about 1/2 teaspoon melted butter or oil. Heat a skillet over medium heat and toast the bun cut-side down until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

Cook patty & melt cheese

Increase skillet heat to medium-high and add a light film of oil or use the same skillet. When hot, add the patty and cook 2–2.5 minutes without moving, until a browned crust forms. Flip and cook another 1.5–2 minutes for medium doneness. One minute before finishing, place the cheddar slice atop the patty, cover skillet briefly (30–60 seconds) to melt cheese.

Assemble burger

Place the lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, set the cheeseburger patty on top, then cap with the toasted top bun. Serve immediately with fries and ketchup on the side.

Prepare potato

Peel (optional) and cut the 1/3 potato into thin sticks about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this prevents splatter and helps crisping.

Fry potatoes

Pour about 1 cup vegetable oil into a small heavy-bottomed pot or skillet to reach ~1/2 inch depth. Heat oil over medium-high until it reaches 325°F (160°C) or a small piece of potato sizzles gently. Add the cut fries in a single layer (you may need to work in batches) and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened but not browned. Remove to paper towels. Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Return the fries and fry 1.5–2 minutes more, until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and immediately season with 1/8 tsp salt.

Oven alternate

If you prefer not to fry, toss the cut fries with 1 tsp oil, spread on a baking sheet in a single layer, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp; then season with salt.

Spoon 2 tablespoons ketchup into a small ramekin for dipping. Serve alongside the burger and fries.