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Ingredients
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Burger Patties
Burger Build & Toppings
Special Parlour Sauce
Finish & Optional
Method
Burger Patties
Mix and form patties
Place the ground beef in a bowl. Sprinkle kosher salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce over the meat. Gently combine with your hands until just mixed — do not overwork. Divide into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces each) and loosely form into flat rounds about 3.5 to 4 inches wide and roughly 1/2 inch thick. Make a shallow thumb indentation in the center of each patty to prevent doming during cooking.
Preheat cooking surface
Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes until hot. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and spread to coat the surface.
Cook patties
Place patties on the hot surface with space between them. Cook without moving for 3 minutes to form a crust. Flip once and immediately season the cooked side lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. After flipping, cook another 2–3 minutes for medium (adjust ±1 minute for desired doneness). During the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the pan with a lid or a large bowl to melt the cheese quickly.
Special Parlour Sauce
While patties cook, make the sauce. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and taste; adjust seasoning or tang with an extra 1/4 teaspoon vinegar or a pinch more salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to build the burgers.
Burger Build & Toppings
Assemble burgers
Spread about 1 tablespoon of the Special Parlour Sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place a handful (about 1/4 cup) of shredded iceberg lettuce on the sauce, then set the cheesy patty on top. Add 2 pickle slices, a few thin tomato slices, and a few rings of thinly sliced red onion. Spread another teaspoon of sauce on the top bun and cap the burger. Press gently to compact slightly so it holds together.
Finish & Serve
Serve each Parlour Burger immediately while hot with optional fries or extra pickles. If desired, provide extra Special Parlour Sauce on the side. Enjoy.