Smash Burgers with Caramelized Onions
for 2 double patty burgers (recipe adapted from Ina Garten)
INGREDIENTS
1 small red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
olive oil
1/8 teaspoon sugar (optional)
splash of red wine or sherry vinegar
~3/4 pound ground beef with 20% fat
salt
pepper
avocado oil
shredded cheddar cheese
butter
brioche or potato buns, sliced through the center lengthwise
butter lettuce
mayo
ketchup
METHOD
heat up olive oil in a pan. add sliced onions and sauté until translucent. season with salt and pepper and sauté until golden. add sugar and sauté for a few more minutes. then, add vinegar. cook for a couple more minutes and then set to the side.
in a bowl, combine ground beef, 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, and pepper. with your fingers, work the salt and pepper into the meat. then, shape into balls (approximately 3-4 oz or however large you like).
refrigerate for 15 minutes.
heat up a little butter in a large pan (cast iron preferably, stainless steel works well too). place buns cut side down in the pan and heat for a 2-3 minutes or until golden. set to the side.
in the same pan, heat up enough avocado oil to the evenly coat the pan. place a ball of beef on the pan and firmly press down each burger using a spatula or spoon.
cook the burgers for about 2 minutes, not touching them so the bottoms get crispy. flip and sprinkle with cheese. place a lid on the skillet and cook until cheese just begins to melt and burger is cooked to your liking.
assemble your burger - spread ketchup and mayo on bun. place one or two burger patties on the bottom bun and top with onions, lettuce, and other toppings of your choice. enjoy:)
