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Cali SmashBurger

The perfect weeknight meal! Customize it to your own liking and enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious burger at home!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • burger press or a flat spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 80/20 ground chuck
  • pepper jack cheese
  • American cheese
  • yellow mustard
  • salt + pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Burger sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 2-3 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp dill relish
  • 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • salt to taste

Toppings

  • lettuce or spinach
  • tomatoes
  • pickles
  • mustard
  • hot chili peppers
  • avocado

fried onions

  • 1/2 white onion sliced into rings or strips
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp AP flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp All purpose seasoning
  • salt + more for topping

Instructions
 

For fried onions

  • Thinly slice 1/2 a white onion and soak the slices in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and all-purpose seasoning. Toss the soaked onion slices in the dry mixture until fully coated. Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer, then carefully fry the onions until golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  • Bring ground beef to room temperature and form into balls placing them on separate pieces of parchment paper. Heat cast iron skillet or pan over medium high heat. Add in 1 tbsp of oil.
  • Place a ground beef ball onto a hot pan, two at a time, and press it down firmly with a burger press. Remove the parchment paper and cook for 2-3 minutes. While cooking, season the exposed side with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of yellow mustard, if desired.
  • Flip the burger and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness. Season the flipped side with salt and pepper. Repeat these steps if you're making a double cheeseburger.
  • Reduce heat to medium low. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Add a splash of water to the pan then cover for 1 minute until the cheese is melted.

For the secret sauce

  • Combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Taste and adjust to your liking if needed.

To assemble

  • Spread secret sauce on the bottom bun. then lettuce, tomato, burger patties, fried onion. Then on the other bun, add more sauce and sliced avocado. bring the burger together to close it, Serve with fries and enjoy!

Notes

When melting your cheese- add a 1-2 tbsp of water then place the top on the pan. And cook for 1 minute. The water will produce steam, helping cheese melt. 
For the fried onions, use a paper towel to dry down the onions after salting. Salt draws out liquid in the onions. 
Keyword Cheese Burger, Hamburger, Smash burger