Name: Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bars ALL-AMERICAN BURGER* Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 0.5 tbs Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp vegetable oil (for cooking); 4 each potato or brioche hamburger buns; 2 tbs butter (softened); 0.25 cup mayonnaise; 1 tbs yellow mustard; 2 tbs ketchup; 4 each American cheese slices; 4 leaves iceberg lettuce; 1 each ripe tomato; 0.5 each red onion; 8 each dill pickle slices; 0.25 tsp salt (for tomato); 0.125 tsp black pepper (for tomato)

Method

Burger Patties

Form patties

Divide the 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Gently form each portion into a patty about 3.5 to 4 inches wide and roughly 3/4 inch thick. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to help prevent doming during cooking.

Season

Place the patties on a plate and season both sides evenly with kosher salt (about 1 tsp total) and black pepper (about 1/2 tsp total). Lightly brush or sprinkle each patty with 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce divided among patties (total 1/2 tbs) for extra savory flavor.

Cook

Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tsp vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Add patties, leaving space between them. Cook without moving: 3 minutes on the first side until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more for medium (internal temperature ~145–155°F / 63–68°C). 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. Adjust time ± for desired doneness.

Buns & Spread

Make burger sauce

In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, and 2 tbsp ketchup. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust — add a pinch of salt or a little more ketchup or mustard if desired.

Toast buns

Spread softened butter evenly on the cut sides of the 4 buns (about 2 tbsp total). After patties are nearly done, place buns butter-side down on a second skillet over medium heat or on the edge of the main pan. Toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Toppings

Prepare vegetables

While patties cook, slice the tomato into 4 even rounds and the red onion into thin rings. If desired, lightly season the tomato slices with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Rinse and pat dry 4 lettuce leaves and have 8 pickle slices ready.

Assemble burgers

Spread about 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp of the burger sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a lettuce leaf on the sauce, set a cheese-topped patty on the lettuce, then add a tomato round, two to three onion rings, and two pickle slices. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or additional sauce on the top bun (optional) and close the burger. Serve immediately.

Serving & Finishing

Serve the All-American Burgers hot with your choice of side (fries, chips, or a simple salad). Leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

All-american Burger* Recipe