All-american Burger Recipe
Two patties, American, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, all-American sauce
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Ingredients
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Burger Patties
Cheese & Toppings
Buns & Finishing
All-American Sauce
Method
All-American Sauce
Make the sauce
In a small bowl combine 0.25 cups mayonnaise, 1 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp sweet pickle relish, 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar, 0.25 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp paprika, 1/8 tsp salt and a pinch (1/16 tsp) black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust salt, sugar or vinegar as desired. Refrigerate while you prepare the burgers to let flavors marry (at least 10 minutes).
Burger Patties
Form patties
Divide 1 lb ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently shape each portion into a loose patty about 4 inches in diameter and roughly 3/4 inch thick, handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting. Make a shallow 1/2-inch dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to reduce doming during cooking. Season both sides lightly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
Cook the patties
Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Place the patties in the pan leaving space between them. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the first side. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes for medium (adjust time 1-2 minutes longer for medium-well). In the last 30-45 seconds of cooking, place one slice of American cheese on each patty, cover the pan for 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese. Transfer patties to a plate and let rest for 2 minutes.
Buns & Finishing
Toast buns
Spread 1 tbsp unsalted butter evenly across the cut faces of 2 sesame burger buns. In a clean skillet over medium heat, place the buns cut-side down and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Assemble Burgers
Spread about 1-1.5 tbsp All-American sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place two leaves of iceberg lettuce if desired (or tuck leaves so they don't slide), then two tomato slices, then a cheese-topped hot beef patty, then red onion rings (2 per burger), then dill pickle slices (4 per burger). Add the second patty on top of the first. Spread another 1 tbsp sauce on the inside of the top bun and place on the burger. Press gently to adhere. Serve immediately.
Serving suggestion
Serve each All-American Burger hot with fries, chips or a pickle spear. Provide extra sauce on the side for dipping.