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McDonald's Bulgogi Burger (Copycat)
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About
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (1g) black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil for the pan
FOR THE BULGOGI GLAZE:
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 3 Tablespoons (45g) brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) apple juice (or grated Asian pear if you want to be super authentic)
• 1 Tablespoon (15ml) toasted sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 Tablespoon (8g) cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon (15ml) cold water (slurry)
FOR ASSEMBLY:
• 4 soft sesame seed buns
• 1/3 cup (80ml) mayonnaise
• 1 cup (50g) shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 small white onion, very thinly sliced
• Butter for toasting buns
Recipe
- 1Let's make that sweet, savory, sticky Bulgogi glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat so the sugar dissolves and the garlic mellows out.
- 2Once the sauce is simmering gently, pour in your cornstarch slurry. Whisk it constantly for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens up into a glossy glaze that coats the back of a spoon. Pull it off the heat and set it aside.
- 3Divide your ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces / 115g each). Gently form them into thin patties, making them a little wider than your buns because they will shrink. Season both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper. Don't over-season — the glaze is going to bring a lot of salty, umami flavor.
- 4Butter the insides of your sesame seed buns and toast them in a hot skillet until golden brown. A toasted bun is essential here to hold up against the sticky sauce and mayo.
- 5Get a large skillet screaming hot and add a little vegetable oil. Sear the patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side until you get a really nice crust. Right as they finish cooking, use a pastry brush to heavily paint both sides of the patties with your thick Bulgogi glaze, or just dip them directly into the saucepan.
- 6Time to build! Place your glazed patty directly onto the toasted bottom bun. Lay a few thin slices of raw white onion right on top of the hot meat. Take your top bun, slather it generously with mayonnaise, and press the shredded lettuce into the mayo so it sticks. Crown the burger and dive in!