Wicked Cow Burger Recipe

Mix and portion

Place ground chuck and ground brisket in a large bowl. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Gently fold the meat with your hands until combined—do not overwork. Divide into two equal portions (about 12–14 oz each).

Form patties

Lightly form each portion into a loose ball, then press into a patty about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than the bun; make a shallow depression in the center with your thumb to help them cook evenly. Brush both sides lightly with neutral oil.

Cook

Preheat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot (about 4–5 minutes). Place patties in the pan and sear without moving for 3 minutes. Flip once and top each patty with 1 slice of cheddar cheese. Cook another 2–3 minutes for medium (adjust 1–2 minutes for desired doneness). Internal temperature should be 130–135°F for medium-rare, 140–145°F for medium. Remove patties and rest 3 minutes.

Make sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, minced chipotle, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, lemon juice, honey, and salt. Whisk until smooth and taste-adjust—add more adobo or chipotle for heat. Refrigerate until assembly.

Cook bacon

While patties rest, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain and blot excess fat. If desired, reserve a teaspoon of bacon fat to sauté onions.

Prep onions and pickles

If using reserved bacon fat, add 1 tsp to the skillet and quickly sauté the thinly sliced red onion over medium heat for 1–2 minutes to reduce sharpness; otherwise use raw. Arrange pickles and butter lettuce leaves so they are ready for assembly.

Toast buns

Spread softened butter evenly on cut sides of brioche buns. Return the skillet to medium heat and toast buns, cut-side down, until golden and slightly crisp, about 1–2 minutes.

Assemble burgers

Spread a generous tablespoon of Smoky-Fire Sauce on both the top and bottom bun halves. On the bottom bun, place a lettuce leaf, then the cheesy patty, two bacon slices on each burger (split the four slices between two burgers), a spoonful of sautéed or raw red onions, and pickled jalapeño slices if using. Add pickle slices on top, then crown with the top bun.

Serve

Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side. Recommend fries or coleslaw as accompaniments.