Ingredients

The following ingredients have 2 Servings
  • 1/2 pound ground beef ((Kenji recommends 60/40, I used 80/20 and it was perfect))
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 large onion (, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups))
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 2 soft hamburger buns (, (Kenji recommends Arnold, or use local bakery buns))
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 dill pickles chips
  • 2 ripe tomato (, sliced quarter-inch-thick)
  • 2 leaves fresh iceberg lettuce (, white core section removed, torn to bun-sized pieces)
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 4 slices deli-cut American Cheese (, (you can ask for this at your grocer's deli case))

Instruction

  • Form meat into four 2 ounce patties, thin and slightly larger than the size of your bun. They are meant to be a 1/4 inch thick.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  • Add onions and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to skillet.
  • Reduce heat to medium low, and cook, tossing and stirring occasionally until onions are well browned, about 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Once onions begin to sizzle heavily and appear dry, add 1 tablespoon water to skillet and stir.
  • Continue cooking until water evaporates and onions start sizzling again.
  • Repeat process, adding 1 tablespoon of water with each iteration until onions are meltingly soft and dark brown, about 3 times total.
  • Transfer to a small bowl and set aside while leaving any residual butter in the pan.
  • To make the burger and animal fry topping: Add mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar, and vinegar to a small bowl and stir to combine.
  • Place closed buns in preheated oven for 2 minutes until slightly darker and just the slightest bit crispy.
  • Using the butter left behind by the onions, press the buns into the pan and toast for a few seconds until crispy.
  • If there is no butter left in the pan, add a 1/2 a tablespoon or so to the pan.
  • Season the patties with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat pan on high and add the patties to the pan.
  • Cook without moving until well browned and crusty on first side, about 2 1/2 minutes.
  • While they are cooking, spread about a tablespoon of mustard to the raw side.
  • Flip and cook the mustard side as well, another minute.
  • Add the sauce to each half of the bun.