Description
This Classic Cheese Burger with Secret Sauce recipe offers juicy, flavorful beef patties grilled to perfection, topped with melted cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, and optional caramelized onions, all nestled in soft brioche or Hawaiian buns. The secret sauce—a tangy blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, spices, and pickle juice—adds a unique and delicious twist, making this burger a timeless favorite perfect for any casual meal or backyard cookout.
Ingredients
Scale
Burgers
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder, granules
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more for seasoning
- 6 cheddar cheese slices
- 6 brioche or Hawaiian hamburger buns
- 6 Romaine lettuce leaves, torn into pieces
- 1 tomato, sliced
- Pickle slices (optional)
- 1 cup caramelized onions (optional)
Secret Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon stone ground mustard
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic powder, pickle juice, dried dill, lime juice, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and stone ground mustard until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly. Divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape each into a patty approximately ⅓ inch thick.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to high temperature to prepare for cooking the burgers.
- Grill the patties: Season both sides of the patties with additional salt and pepper. Place them on the hot grill, then reduce the heat to medium and cover. Cook the patties for about 5 minutes on the first side.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the patties carefully and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. During the last couple of minutes, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and add the buns to the grill cut side down. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread a generous amount of the secret sauce on the toasted sides of the buns. Layer the bottom buns with lettuce, tomato slices, and caramelized onions if using. Add the cheesy beef patties on top, then cover with the top buns. Serve immediately with optional pickle slices on the side.
Notes
- Using 80/20 ground beef ensures the patties stay juicy due to their fat content.
- Letting the sauce chill beforehand enhances the flavors.
- Caramelized onions add a sweet depth but are optional.
- Brioche or Hawaiian buns add a slightly sweet contrast that pairs well with the savory burger.
- Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to control spiciness.
- For best results, avoid overhandling the meat when forming patties to keep them tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
