THE PERFECT BURGER

Ingredients

Burger:

• 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef

• 2 white onions
  Salt and pepper to taste

  Pickled jalapeños:
  5 jalapeños, sliced
  1 cup water

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 Tbsp sugar 

• 1 Tbsp salt
  1 Tbsp pickling spices
  
  Sauce:

• 1 egg

• 1 cup veggie or avocado oil

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 2 Tbsp Buffalo or hot sauce

• 2 Tbsp sweet relish

• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1/2 lemon

• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• Salt to taste

To assemble:

• 12 slices American cheese

• 6 sesame buns

Directions

Step 1

Make the pickled jalapeños, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, salt and pickling spices in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, continuing to stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Place the jalapeños into a glass Mason jar. Pour the hot pickle brine over the top to submerge the jalapeños. Let them cool completely before burger assembly.

Step 2

Divide the ground beef into six 4 oz patties. Set the patties aside. Peel the white onion and slice very thin, then set aside. For best results, use a mandoline.

Step 3

To make the sauce, crack the egg into an immersion blending jar. Cover the yolk with the immersion blender head, Then pour oil in. Blend with the immersion blender on high speed. Do not move the head or pulse. When you see the mayonnaise start to form, very slowly tilt the immersion blender until the oil fully emulsifies. To the mixture add ketchup, hot sauce, relish, mustard, chili powder, paprika and salt. Blend until fully combined. Set aside.

Step 4

Bring a cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Place the beef pattie on the hot skillet and immediately press down firmly with a burger press or spatula. Quickly sprinkle with salt and pepper, then pile on sliced onion. Let cook for about 2 minutes. Flip the burgers, then add 2 slices of cheese per patty and cook for another 2 minutes and remove from the skillet.

Step 5

To assemble the burger, toast the buns, spread on the sauce, add pickled jalapeños, then place the burger with melted cheese on top (onion side down). More sauce goes on the top bun before topping and enjoying every bite!