The Burger Recipe

In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and hot sauce if using. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning; chill while preparing the rest of the burger.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with foil (oven) or in the skillet. Cook until crisp, about 12–18 minutes in oven or 6–8 minutes per side in skillet. Transfer to paper towels to drain and keep warm.

Thinly slice the red onion into rings and separate into strips (about 1/4 cup). Slice tomato into two even slices for each burger (or 1 per burger if large). Drain pickle slices. Lightly butter the cut sides of each bun with the softened butter.

Toast buns: heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place buttered cut sides down and toast until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Set aside, cut side up.

Divide the 12 oz ground chuck into two 6 oz portions. Gently form each portion into a loose ball and press into a patty about 3/4"–1" thick, making a slight indentation in the center with your thumb to prevent doming during cooking. Do not overwork the meat.

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

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl to coat. When the oil is shimmering, add patties (indentation up). Cook without moving for 3–4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms.

Flip the patties and immediately place a slice of aged cheddar on each patty. Continue cooking 3–4 minutes for medium (internal temp ~145–150°F / 63–66°C) or longer for desired doneness. If needed, cover the skillet for the last minute to help cheese melt.

Spread about 1 tablespoon of burger sauce on the bottom bun.

Place the cooked cheddar-topped patty on the sauced bottom bun.

Top the patty with house-made bacon (1–2 slices per burger, depending on thickness).

Add tomato slice(s), a small handful (about 1/2 cup) of mixed greens or a leaf of butter lettuce, 3 pickle slices, and some red onion rings.

Spread a thin swipe of burger sauce on the top bun, place it on the stack, and press down gently to set.

Serve immediately with fries or your preferred side.