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Restaurants›Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.›Willie Sue's Cheeseburger Recipe

Willie Sue's Cheeseburger Recipe

Name: Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.s Willie Sue's Cheeseburger Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs neutral oil (vegetable or canola) or butter; 2 slices American cheese slices; 2 slices optional: cheddar or Swiss cheese slices; 2 pieces Kaiser roll (medium); 1 tbs unsalted butter (for toasting); 2 leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce, leaves; 4 slices tomato, ripe; 0.5 cup red or white onion, thinly sliced; 8 slices dill pickle slices; 2 tbs ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tbs mayonnaise

Inspired by Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.

Time30m

Serves2

Fresh ground beef cooked to order with your choice of cheese. Served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions & pickles on a toasted Kaiser roll.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties

1 lb fresh ground beef (80/20)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbs neutral oil (vegetable or canola) or butter

Cheese

2 slices American cheese slices

2 slices optional: cheddar or Swiss cheese slices

Buns & Toppings

2 pieces Kaiser roll (medium)

1 tbs unsalted butter (for toasting)

2 leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce, leaves

4 slices tomato, ripe

1/2 cup red or white onion, thinly sliced

8 slices dill pickle slices

Condiments (optional)

2 tbs Ketchup

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tbs Mayonnaise

Method

Prepare Ingredients

Portion and shape

Divide 1 lb fresh ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently form each portion into a loose patty about 3.5–4 inches in diameter and roughly 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly and reduce doming.

Prep toppings and buns

Rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves. Slice tomato into four 1/4-inch slices. Thinly slice onion into rings. Separate pickle slices. Split Kaiser rolls horizontally.

Cook Patties

Season

Season both sides of each patty with about 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (total 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper across both patties). Season just before cooking to keep juices in the meat.

Preheat pan or griddle

Heat a heavy skillet, cast-iron pan, or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot (about 3–5 minutes). Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil or butter and swirl to coat the surface.

Cook first side

Place patties on the hot surface leaving space between them. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.

Flip and finish

Flip the patties and cook 2–4 minutes more depending on desired doneness: about 2 minutes for medium-rare (125–130°F), 3 minutes for medium (135°F), 4 minutes for medium-well (145°F). If using a thermometer, check at the thickest part.

Melt cheese

During the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place 1–2 slices of your chosen cheese on each patty. Cover the pan with a lid or a bowl to trap steam and help the cheese melt evenly.

Toast Buns & Assemble

Toast rolls

While cheese is melting, spread about 1/2 tablespoon butter on each cut side of the Kaiser rolls. Toast face-down in a separate skillet over medium heat or on the same griddle until golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes.

Build the burger

On the bottom half of each toasted Kaiser roll, place a lettuce leaf, then 2 tomato slices, then the cheeseburger patty (cheese side up). Add 2–4 onion rings and 4 pickle slices per burger. Spread condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise) on the top bun as desired, then close the burger.

Serve

Serve immediately while hot with fries or your preferred side.