Name: Slabs American Burger Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional); 2 each burger buns (split); 2 each American cheese slices; 1 tbsp butter (softened, for toasting); 4 each lettuce (iceberg or romaine, leaves); 1 each tomato; 6 slices dill pickles (sliced); 0.5 each red onion; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 0.25 tsp salt (for tomato); 0.125 tsp freshly ground black pepper (for tomato)

Method

Burger patties

Form patties

Place the ground beef in a bowl. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (if using). Gently mix with your hands or a fork until just combined — do not overwork. Divide into two equal portions and form each into a patty about 4 inches (10 cm) wide and roughly 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick, with a slight dimple pressed into the center of each patty (this helps them cook evenly).

Cook patties

Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add a small drop of neutral oil if pan is dry. Place patties in the pan and cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes on the second side for medium (adjust time for desired doneness). In the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place one slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the pan briefly to melt the cheese.

Buns & cheese

Toast buns

While the patties cook (or immediately after), spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns. Place buttered sides down on a separate skillet or on a griddle over medium heat and toast until golden and slightly crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Toppings

Prepare lettuce and tomato

Rinse lettuce leaves and pat dry. Slice the tomato into 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick slices. Sprinkle the tomato slices lightly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, if desired, to enhance flavor.

Slice onion and prepare pickles

Thinly slice the half red onion into rings. Separate rings for ease of assembly. Have 6 pickle slices ready.

Condiments

Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. On the top half, spread 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1/2 tsp yellow mustard (or apply to taste).

Assemble

Place the mayo-coated bottom bun on a plate. Top with 2 lettuce leaves, then the cheese-topped beef patty. Add a tomato slice (or two overlapping if using larger slices), 3 pickle slices, and a few rings of red onion. Close with the ketchup-and-mustard spread top bun. Serve immediately.

Repeat assembly for the second burger. If serving both at once, keep the finished burgers loosely tented with foil for up to 10 minutes to retain heat.