Description
This big double cheeseburger recipe features two juicy steak mince patties pressed flat for maximum flavor and topped with melted mild cheddar cheese, crisp iceberg lettuce, and tangy gherkins. The highlight is a creamy and flavorful secret sauce made with mayonnaise, American mustard, pickles, and smoked paprika. Toasted sesame buns and crispy oven fries complete this all-American inspired burger experience perfect for a satisfying meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Secret Sauce
- 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
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (plus a little boiling water to soak)
Burgers
- 4 sesame-topped burger buns
- 300g steak mince
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- Small wedge of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 2 slices mild cheddar or burger cheese
- 1 gherkin, sliced lengthways
To Serve
- Oven fries
Instructions
- Prepare the onions for sauce: Place the finely chopped onion in a small bowl and cover with boiling water from the kettle. Let it soak while you prepare the rest, then add 1 tablespoon of this cooled onion water to the sauce mixture later.
- Make the secret sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, American mustard, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, white wine vinegar, and pickle relish or finely chopped gherkin. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the cooled onion water from step one until well mixed. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare the buns: Halve two of the burger buns, and slice thick middle sections from the other two buns. Toast or grill the middle slices on both sides and the bun halves on their cut sides only. Set the toasted pieces aside.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 100°C (80°C fan) or gas mark 2 to keep the cooked patties warm.
- Form and cook patties: Divide the steak mince into four loose piles and season with salt and pepper. Heat ¼ tablespoon sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over high heat. Place one pile of mince in the pan. Quickly cover it with a square of baking parchment and press down firmly using a second pan, holding for 10 seconds to flatten and create a good sear while avoiding steam burns. Remove the second pan and paper, then cook the patty for 2 minutes undisturbed.
- Flip and cook: Turn the patties over, press down gently with a spatula, and cook for 1 more minute.
- Keep warm: Transfer finished patties to a tray and place in the preheated oven. Repeat cooking for remaining patties.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread sauce on the bottom halves of the buns, scatter some soaked onions on top, add shredded lettuce, then a slice of cheese. Add one cooked patty, a few gherkin slices, and top with a toasted bun middle. On the bun middle, spread more sauce, add more onions and lettuce, then the second patty, and finally the top bun.
- Serve: Present the assembled double cheeseburgers with crispy oven fries and additional sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- If pickle relish is unavailable, finely chopped gherkins mixed with a little pickling juice make a good substitute.
- Pressing the patties quickly ensures they sear evenly and stay juicy inside.
- Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven while finishing others to maintain serving temperature.
- Oven fries or your favorite potato side dish pairs well with this burger.
- Toast burger buns on the cut and middle sides for a perfect texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: double cheeseburger, secret sauce, steak mince burger, homemade burger, American mustard sauce, toasted sesame buns, oven fries
