Build Your Burger Recipe

Make burger sauce

In a small bowl combine mayonnaise (1/2 cup), ketchup (1/4 cup) and yellow mustard (2 tsp). Mix until smooth and refrigerate until assembly.

Butter and toast buns: split buns and spread 1/2 tbs butter on each cut side. Heat a skillet over medium heat and toast buns butter-side down until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Keep warm.

Prepare pickles and veggies: arrange pickle slices, lettuce leaves, tomato slices and onion slices on a platter for easy assembly.

Form patties: divide ground beef (1.5 lb) into 4 equal portions (about 6 oz / 170 g each). Gently form into 3/4-inch thick patties, making a shallow thumb indentation in the center of each to prevent puffing.

Season patties: sprinkle both sides of each patty evenly with kosher salt (1 tsp total) and freshly ground black pepper (1 tsp total). Add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce divided among patties or mix into the meat before forming patties if preferred.

Cook patties: heat a grill or heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbs vegetable oil. When shimmering, place patties on the cooking surface. Cook without moving for 3–4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes (for medium) or longer to desired doneness.

Add cheese: place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty about 1 minute before finishing and cover pan or close grill lid to melt, about 30–60 seconds.

Rest patties: remove patties to a plate and let rest 2 minutes while you assemble buns.

If using bacon or fried eggs: cook bacon until crisp and keep warm. For fried eggs, heat a small nonstick skillet over medium, add a little oil or butter and fry eggs until whites are set and yolks are at desired doneness. Season eggs with a pinch of salt.

Assemble burgers: spread about 1–2 tbs of the prepared burger sauce on the bottom bun. Place lettuce leaf on the sauce (this creates a moisture barrier), add the cheeseburger patty, then tomato slice, red onion, and 2 pickle slices. Add optional items (bacon, avocado, jalapeños, fried egg) as desired. Spread a thin layer of buttered top bun or additional sauce and place on top.

Serve immediately with fries or a side salad.

Bacon: cook 8 strips in a skillet over medium heat 3–5 minutes per side until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Avocado: slice just before serving to avoid browning. Pickled jalapeños: drain excess liquid to prevent soggy burger.