How about a burger?
But wait. I don’t think y’awnderstaaaaand the situaaation. (said like Bill Cosby)
It all started one Saturday morning last fall as I was meticulously planning the weekend with Pinterest in my lap and PBS on the TVs. Or as I like to call it: Inspiration Station. Don’t have a ticket? That’s okay. Inspiration is free of charge! All ABOAAAARD!
Omg I’m totally kidding that was so bad please don’t flick me.
So anyway, I was watching my routine cooking shows lineup, when out of nowhere, Christopher Kimball and his bow tie decided to descend from the heavens on a solid gold zip-line, followed by a chorus of sparkling infant cherubs, with a platter of these unbelievable homemade beefy pub burgers, and my face completely fell apart. Aaron’s face completely fell apart. Charlie’s face completely fell apart. No kidding, I felt like everything in my life had been a LIE up to this point.
I mean look at what’s happening already. Just look around. Actual steak. Grindage. Melted butter drizzlage. Tossing of meat. Unruly sobbing.
You sear them in the pan, and then finish them in the oven. And all that flavor, all those juices, I mean, I . . .
You . . .
There’s . . .
How . . . it just . . . it hurts . . .
And don’t even ask about the pub sauce. My heart is on emotional leave right now.
I know this is completely unladylike, but I’m serious, I will mud wrestle a team of baby llamas to get you to make these.
Your tongue is gonna fist bump itself.
Homemade Pub-Style Beef Burgers:
(the burger recipe and technique is straight from America’s Test Kitchen. My add-ons are all me.)
What it took for 2 burgers:
* 1 pound sirloin steak tips (or sirloin tip roast), trimmed of any excess fat and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
* 2 Tbs. butter (unsalted)
* a few pinches of coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
* 2 thick slices white cheddar cheese
* romaine lettuce
* caramelized onions (optional)
* 2 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
*whatever toppings make you sing and dance
for the pub sauce:
(adapted from America’s Test Kitchen)
* 1/2 cup mayo
* 2 Tbs. soy sauce
* 1 Tbs. brown sugar
* 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
* 1 scallion, finely chopped
* 1 tsp sambal oelek
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 pinch freshly ground pepper
for the hand-cut fries:
* 1 large russet potato, rinsed and cut into thick sticks
* 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Arrange the meat chunks in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stick it in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 300.
In two batches, pulse the meat until it’s nice and ground. Pour the ground beef back onto the baking sheet.
Melt the butter and evenly drizzle it over the meat. Season with a good pinch of pepper. Using a fork, gently toss the meat to coat with the butter and pepper. Are you already dying? I was too.
Divide the meat in half and create two large meatballs. Then lightly pat them down into large patties. Now you can let them rest as long as you want, covered in the fridge, or go ahead and cook ‘em!
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Place the patties in the pan and liberally season with salt and pepper. Sear for 3 minutes; flip, season and sear another 3 minutes.
Now, place the cheese on the meat (if you’re having cheeseburgs) and slide the skillet into the oven for about 5 more minutes. OH my gosh.
Okay for the sauce, just whisk all that stuff in a bowl and call it good.
Lightly spread some of the sauce on the bottom bun half, then place a patty on it, then the lettuce, oh my . . . and the caramelized oni . . . I can’t move.
WAIT. The fries. Okay, sit back down.
Once you cut your potato into thick sticks, stick them in a bowl with cold water. Let ‘em hang about 15 minutes in the fridge.
Drain the water and pat each fry dry.
Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Throw into an oven preheated to 375. Bake abouuuuut 40 minutes. Flip half way through. Keep an eye on them. These fries will RULE your life.
* tip – make the fries before you make the burgers, so the oven is already on and you just lower the heat to 300 when the burgs go in. Voila.
GET READY for life.
Oh these look like beefy goodness in all their glory! Love that you made your own “ground” beef.
Ohhhhh, Bev. I’ve always wanted to make burgers by grinding my own meat first! Thanks for sharing
This looks right out of “DIners Drive-Ins and Dives!”, and that’s a compliment my friend! YUM!
Ok, I need to hang out in the pubs YOU hang out in… or at least make this burger and have a pint!
Oh. No. You. DI’INT.
this look amazing! im going to try the whole recipe soon!
I am not kidding, this is the BEST looking burger I have ever seen. So juicy and cooked perfectly. I can almost taste it!!!
I will definitely be able to use these as a bribe to make my boyfriend change the ink in my printer. Mwahahah.
Can the sambal be replaced with something else? I don’t have any.
If you like things spicy you could add some sriracha! Just a tsp. Or leave it out all together. Whatevah ya want!
But…did you…IS THAT BUTTER? On my cheeseburger? And here I’ve been using ketchup and mustard all these years. Damn.
If I come over will you make these for me? Please?! I’m pretty sure I couldn’t be trusted alone in a house with these if I made them myself, but I would have to act semi lady like at your house…you don’t mind if I faceplant into a burger on your kitchen table, right?
Fairly sure I just gained 2 lbs. and 87 happiness pts. just reading this recipe.
These look incredible. Love the sound of that pub sauce.
I’m now officially craving a burger and this salad I brought to work for lunch simply will not do! I will just stare at the burger while I eat the salad and pretend that I’m eating the burger. Yes, that’s my plan.
I’m sobbing over the burger now too…it’s so thick and juicy! And cheesy and melty! Very impressive grinding your own meet, Bev…very impressive!
Oh. My. New Year’s resolutions be damned, this looks AMAZING
Pub burgers! What is not to love? I’ve been pretty good, but sometimes ya just gotta scratch that burger itch. Man, that sounded way creepier than it did in my head. Please don’t be afraid!
I’m at a loss for words for these. So amazing, girl. I’ll give you a batch of meatballs for one of these, k?
it’s2 hours before lunchtime now, and reading this and looking at those burgers is making me soooo hungry!!! hmmm, i want a homemade burger!
There is nothing better than an amazing burger!! Yum!
Those burgers are looking so good! I can’t wait to try making burger with steak!
Looks like it is time to put that kitchen aid meat grinder attachment that I got from the wedding to work!
And now I want a burger for lunch, but I had one yesterday, and the day before, and I swore I wouldn’t have one today! You might be ruining my life. j/k.
I’m in!!
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor just so I can eat these burgers. Oy.
Mmm this all looks so good! Might have to try make this sometime. I’ll bet the boyfriend will love it.
Amazing, that is all.
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole’s Chatter is about burgers. I do hope you link this lovely one in. This is the link . Please do pop back to check out some of the other links – there are a lot of good ones already. Have a great week.
The burger was sensational! The sauce was a winner! Best burger recipe ever!!!
Ohhhh that makes my day! Thanks for letting me know!