Name: The Hornet's Nest Steakhouses Steak Half Burger Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle or pan); 2 slices Nest American cheese slices; 2 slices Burger Swiss cheese slices; 1 tbs butter (softened, for toasting buns); 2 each hamburger buns (sesame or plain), halved; 2 tsp yellow mustard; 2 tsp ketchup; 6 each dill pickle slices; 0.25 cups red onion, thinly sliced; 2 leaves leaf lettuce (optional)

Method

Burger Patties

Mix and form patties

Place the ground beef in a bowl. Add kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently mix with your hands just until combined—do not overwork. Divide into two equal portions and form each into a thin patty roughly 4–4.5 inches in diameter and about 3/8 inch thick. Press a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly.

Preheat pan

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot (about 3–5 minutes). Add the vegetable oil and spread to coat the cooking surface.

Cook patties

Place the patties on the hot surface. Cook without moving for 2¾–3 minutes to develop a good crust. Flip and cook an additional 2–3 minutes for medium doneness. Adjust time ± depending on thickness and desired doneness. If you prefer the 'half' concept (thinner), aim for 2–2½ minutes per side for medium-well.

Cheeses & Finish

Melt cheeses

About 30–45 seconds before the patties finish cooking, place one Nest American slice and one Burger Swiss slice on each patty. Lower heat to medium-low, cover the skillet loosely with a lid or a large metal bowl to trap steam, and let the cheese melt for 30–45 seconds until fully melted and slightly oozy.

Toast buns

While cheese is melting (or after patties are done), spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns. Place buns, buttered side down, on another skillet or the same griddle until golden and lightly crisp, about 1–2 minutes.

Assemble & Serve

Spread 1 tsp yellow mustard and 1 tsp ketchup on the bottom half of each toasted bun.

Place the hot, cheese-topped patty onto the sauced bottom bun.

Top each patty with 3 pickle slices, a few rings of thinly sliced red onion (about 2 tbsp worth), and a leaf of lettuce if using.

Cap with the top bun. Serve immediately while hot, with extra condiments on the side if desired.