Loaded Delight Burger Recipe

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and uniform.

Taste and adjust seasoning (add a pinch more salt or 1/4 tsp sugar if you prefer sweeter). Cover and refrigerate while preparing the burger to allow flavors to meld (at least 10 minutes).

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips in a single layer and cook 3–4 minutes per side, or until crisp to your preference.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and keep warm. Reserve a little bacon fat in the pan if desired for extra burger flavor.

Divide ground beef into 4 oz (0.25 lb) portions and gently form into patties about 3.5–4 inches wide and roughly 3/4 inch thick. Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to reduce dome while cooking.

Season both sides of each patty evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot (about 3–5 minutes). If bacon fat was reserved, spoon 1 tsp into the pan; otherwise leave pan dry for a nice sear or add 1 tsp neutral oil.

Place the 4 oz patty into the hot pan. Cook without moving for 3–4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes for medium (adjust time +/- for desired doneness).

During the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place one slice of sharp cheddar on each patty and cover the pan with a lid to melt the cheese quickly.

While patties cook, spread softened butter on cut sides of the bun. After removing patties, place buns cut-side down on the skillet or griddle over medium heat and toast 1–2 minutes until golden and slightly crisp. Remove and keep warm.

Spread about 1.5 tablespoons of the special burger sauce on the bottom bun.

Place the lettuce leaf on the sauce (this creates a moisture barrier), then set the cheddar-topped patty on the lettuce.

Top the patty with 2 bacon strips (broken to fit if needed), 2 tomato slices, 3 dill pickle slices, and 3 rings of thinly sliced red onion.

Spread a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) of sauce on the top bun and close the burger. Serve immediately with your choice of side.

If preparing multiple burgers ahead, keep patties warm on a sheet pan in a 200°F (95°C) oven for up to 10–15 minutes, but assemble just before serving to keep buns from getting soggy.

Estimated cooking times assume a single burger in a hot skillet; adjust for batch cooking. For extra char, finish patties on a hot grill for 30–60 seconds per side instead of pan.