Description
This big double cheeseburger loaded with a homemade secret sauce combines juicy steak mince patties, melted cheddar cheese, fresh iceberg lettuce, and tangy gherkins sandwiched between toasted sesame buns. Served with crispy oven fries and a flavorful, creamy burger sauce made from mayonnaise, American mustard, and pickle relish, this recipe delivers the classic American diner experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 100g mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp American mustard
- large pinch garlic granules
- large pinch onion granules
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp pickle relish or finely chopped gherkin
Burgers
- 4 sesame-topped burger buns
- 300g steak mince
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil, divided
- small wedge of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 2 slices mild cheddar or burger cheese
- 1 gherkin, sliced lengthways
- oven fries, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Place the finely chopped onion in a small bowl and cover with boiling water from the kettle until just submerged. Leave the onions to cool in the water.
- Make the Secret Sauce: In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise, American mustard, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, white wine vinegar, and pickle relish. Add 1 tablespoon of the cooled onion water and mix well until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the Buns: Halve two of the burger buns normally. For the other two buns, carefully cut a thick slice from their middles to make middle bun slices. Toast or grill the middle slices on both sides and toast the other buns only on their cut sides. Set aside after toasting.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 100°C (80°C fan)/gas mark 2 to keep cooked patties warm later.
- Form and Cook the Patties: Divide the steak mince into four loosely packed piles and season each lightly. Heat ¼ tablespoon of sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over high heat. Place one pile of beef in the hot pan. Quickly cover the patty with baking parchment and use a second pan as a weight to press the patty down firmly. Hold the pressure for about 10 seconds, then remove the weight and parchment. Cook the patty for 2 minutes without disturbing it, then flip it over. Press down again gently with a spatula and cook for an additional 1 minute. Transfer the cooked patty to a tray and keep warm in the oven. Repeat the process for the remaining patties, adding the remaining oil as needed.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spread some secret sauce over the base half of the buns. Scatter some of the soaked onions on top, followed by shredded lettuce, a slice of cheese, and one cooked beef patty. Add a few gherkin slices and then top with a toasted middle bun slice. Spread more sauce over the middle slice, add more onions, lettuce, another patty, and finally the bun tops.
- Serve: Plate the assembled burgers alongside oven fries. Offer extra sauce on the side if desired.
Notes
- Pickle relish can be substituted with finely chopped gherkins mixed with a bit of their pickling liquid if unavailable.
- Pressing the patties during cooking helps achieve a uniform thickness and a seared crust quickly.
- Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven to maintain juiciness before assembling.
- For best flavor, use mild cheddar or burger cheese slices that melt easily.
- Oven fries make a convenient and tasty side but fries can be substituted with fries of your choice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: double cheeseburger, secret sauce, homemade burger sauce, steak mince burgers, toasted burger buns, oven fries, gherkins, cheddar cheese
