Pastrami Burger Recipe

Name: Wise Sons Jewish Deli 24th Streets PASTRAMI BURGER Recipe
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.25 lb ground beef (80/20); 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tsp vegetable oil or canola oil; 1 slice American cheese, sliced; 1 slice Swiss cheese, sliced; 0.25 cup caramelized onions; 1 tbs mayonnaise; 3 slices bread-and-butter pickles, sliced; 1 slice slice of pastrami (thinly sliced); 1 piece burger bun (sesame or potato roll); 1 tsp butter; 1 leaf lettuce leaf; 1 slice tomato slice

Inspired by Wise Sons Jewish Deli 24th Street

Time40m

Serves1

¼ pound beef patty, american & swiss cheese, caramelized onions, mayo, and bread & butter pickles, topped with a slice of

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Ingredients

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Burger

1/4 lb ground beef (80/20)

1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/4 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground

1 tsp vegetable oil or canola oil

Cheese & Toppings

1 slice American cheese, sliced

1 slice Swiss cheese, sliced

1/4 cup caramelized onions

1 tbs Mayonnaise

3 slices bread-and-butter pickles, sliced

1 slice slice of pastrami (thinly sliced)

Bun

1 piece burger bun (sesame or potato roll)

1 tsp Butter

Optional garnish

1 leaf lettuce leaf

1 slice tomato slice

Method

Caramelized Onions (make ahead or while patty rests)

Slice onions

Thinly slice 1 small yellow onion to yield about 1 cup sliced. Use about 1/4 cup for one burger; reserve extras.

Cook onions

Heat 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1/2 tsp butter (optional) in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and deep golden brown, 20–30 minutes. If onions begin to stick, add 1–2 tsp water to deglaze. Once caramelized, remove 1/4 cup for the burger and keep warm.

Patty & Assembly

Form patty

Gently shape 0.25 lb ground beef into a loose round patty about 3.5–4 inches in diameter and about 3/4 inch thick. Do not overwork the meat. Make a shallow indentation in the center with your thumb to help it cook evenly.

Season patty

Season both sides of the patty with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper just before cooking.

Toast bun

Heat a skillet or griddle to medium. Spread 1 tsp butter on cut sides of the bun and toast, buttered side down, until golden brown, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Cook patty

Increase heat to medium-high. Add 1 tsp oil to the skillet and when shimmering place the patty in the pan. Cook undisturbed 3 minutes to develop a crust.

Flip & cheese

Flip the patty and immediately top with one slice American cheese and one slice Swiss cheese stacked over each other. Cook another 2–3 minutes for medium (adjust time if you prefer rarer/weller). Cover briefly with a lid or a sheet pan for 30–45 seconds to help cheese melt and finish cooking.

Warm pastrami

While cheese melts, place 1 thin slice of pastrami in the hot skillet for 10–20 seconds per side just to warm and render a touch of fat. Set atop the melted cheese on the patty.

Assemble burger

Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the top bun. Place bottom bun on plate, add optional lettuce and tomato if using, set the cheeseburger with pastrami on top of the bottom bun, spoon 1/4 cup caramelized onions over the patty, add 3 slices bread-and-butter pickles, then close with the mayo-spread top bun.

Serve

Serve immediately while hot. If desired, secure with a toothpick and serve with fries or chips.