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Zachariah's Shack Burger
Community Rating9.1 · 4 votes
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About
description
Back to reality. This is the proper diner burger. Soft brioche, aggressive smash, double cheese, fresh tomato and lettuce, and a classic American sauce that carries the whole thing. Nothing weird, just balanced, juicy, and exactly what you want a cheeseburger to be.
Ingredients
FOR THE PATTY:
• 500g ground beef, 80/20
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
FOR THE SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp finely chopped pickles
FOR ASSEMBLY:
• 2 brioche buns (very soft, optionally steamed)
• 4 slices American cheese
• 2 slices tomato
• freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 leaves lettuce
SERVING:
This burger should look clean and classic. Soft bun slightly compressed, cheese melting over the patty, tomato juicy with visible black pepper on top. Serve hot, wrapped or cut in half so the layers stay tight but visible.
Recipe
- 1Start with the sauce so it has time to come together. Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 1 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 2 tbsp finely chopped pickles. Stir well and put it in the fridge.
- 2Divide the beef into 4 balls, about 120 to 125g each. Keep them loose, don’t compress them. Tight patties lose that juicy texture you want from a smash burger.
- 3Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until it’s almost smoking. Place a beef ball down and smash it hard to about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper. Let it cook untouched for 2 to 3 minutes until you get a deep brown crust.
- 4Flip the patty and immediately add 2 slices of American cheese. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted. If needed, add a small splash of water and cover for 20 to 30 seconds to help it melt evenly.
- 5Toast the brioche buns cut-side down on a pan over medium heat for about 60 seconds until lightly golden. If you want them extra soft, you can steam them briefly for 30 seconds instead of toasting.
- 6Build the burger. Bottom bun, generous layer of sauce, then the hot patty with double cheese, then a slice of tomato. Season the tomato with freshly cracked black pepper right here, don’t skip it. Add lettuce, spread more sauce on the top bun, and close it.