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Mama's Drive-in Cheeseburger Recipe

Name: Mama Stortini's Restaurant & Bars Mama's Drive-in Cheeseburger 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 black pepper; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle or pan); 2 pieces soft burger buns (potato or brioche); 2 slices American cheese slices; 1 tbs butter (room temperature, for toasting); 0.5 cup iceberg lettuce; 0.5 cup ripe tomato; 0.25 cup red onion; 4 slices dill pickle slices; 3 tbs mayonnaise; 1 tsp ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tsp sweet pickle relish; 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar; 0.25 tsp paprika; 0.125 tsp onion powder; 0.125 tsp salt

Inspired by Mama Stortini's Restaurant & Bar

Time30m

Serves2

cheese, tomato, burger sauce, red onion, lettuce + pickle

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle or pan)

Buns & Cheese

2 pieces soft burger buns (potato or brioche)

2 slices American cheese slices

1 tbs butter (room temperature, for toasting)

Vegetables & Pickles

1/2 cup iceberg lettuce

1/2 cup ripe tomato

1/4 cup red onion

4 slices dill pickle slices

Burger Sauce

3 tbs Mayonnaise

1 tsp Ketchup

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tsp sweet pickle relish

1/2 tsp Apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp Watkins paprika

1/8 tsp Onion powder

1/8 tsp Celtic sea salt

Method

Burger Patties

shape patties

Divide the ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently form each portion into a loose patty roughly 4 inches across and about 3/4 inch thick. Do not overwork the meat. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook flat.

season

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

cook patties

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the vegetable oil and swirl. Place patties on the hot surface and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip once and cook another 2 minutes. Place an American cheese slice on each patty during the final 30–45 seconds and cover the pan briefly (or tent with foil) so the cheese melts. Internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for well-done.

Buns & Cheese

toast buns

While the patties cook, spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns. When cheese is nearly melted on the patties (during the last minute), move patties to a warm area. Place buns, buttered side down, on the skillet or a separate pan over medium heat and toast until golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Keep an eye to prevent burning.

Vegetables & Pickles

prepare vegetables

Core and slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Thinly slice the red onion into rings. Rinse and pat dry the iceberg lettuce and roughly shred or tear into burger-sized pieces. Have four dill pickle slices ready. Arrange so assembly is quick once buns and patties are ready.

Burger Sauce

make sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and salt until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning — add a pinch more salt or 1/4 tsp sugar if you prefer sweeter drive-in style sauce. Refrigerate briefly if not using right away.

Assembly

Build each cheeseburger immediately after toasting and melting cheese. Spread about 1.5 tablespoons of burger sauce on the bottom bun. Place the cheese-topped patty on the sauced bottom bun. Top patty with shredded lettuce (about 1/4 cup), 2–3 tomato slices (or enough to cover), a few red onion rings (about 1–2 tablespoons), and two dill pickle slices. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the top bun if you like, then place it on top. Press gently to compact and serve hot.

Serve: Serve the burgers immediately with fries or chips and extra pickle on the side. Leftover sauce keeps refrigerated up to 5 days.