Smash Burgers with Caramelised Onions

Ingredients

Burgers

• 4 brioche burger buns
• 500 g beef mince (15-20% fat content is ideal)
• 1 large onion
• 8 slices cheddar cheese
• Dill pickles, sliced
• Jalapenos (optional)
• Hot sauce (optional - use your favourite)
• Tomato or BBQ sauce (optional alternative to hot sauce)
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• Wholegrain mustard
• Butter (for toasting buns)
• Salt & cracked black pepper

Method

Start the Caramelised Onions

1. Slice onion end to end - cut thick slices for texture
2. Put a knob of butter in a saucepan on medium-low heat
3. Add onions, stirring occasionally, allowing them to soften, sweat and gradually caramelise
4. Remove once golden, soft & sweet (around 20-30 mins)

Toast the Brioche Buns

1. Slice buns in half
2. Add light layer of butter to a pan over medium heat
3. Place buns cut side down and toast until golden
4. This only takes 1-2 minutes - watch closely to avoid burning
5. Remove and set aside

Prepare the Smash Burgers

1. Divide mince into 8 loose balls (2 per burger)
2. Heat a heavy pan or skillet very hot (no oil)
3. Place mince ball into pan and smash firmly with a spatula until thin, holding down for 10 seconds
4. After smashing, season with salt & cracked pepper
5. Cook until the bottom develops a dark brown crust
6. Flip patty & immediately add 2 slices cheddar
7. Cook briefly until cheese melts
8. Repeat for remaining patties

Build the Burgers

1. Spread wholegrain mustard on the bottom bun
2. Layer in this order: smash burger patty with cheese, caramelised onions, sliced dill pickles, second patty with cheese, thin tomato slices, jalapenos (optional)
3. Add hot sauce, or tomato/BBQ sauce if preferred, to the underside of the toasted top bun

Result

1. A crispy buttered brioche bun with deeply caramelised smash patties, sweet onions, layered with sharp mustard and pickles cutting through the richness
2. Simple burger. Cooked properly. Ridiculously juicy