Summer Smash Burger

Preparation

For the Homemade Thousand Island Dressing:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly combined. Taste and season with salt if needed. Adjust sweetness with ketchup and/or pickles, adjust acidity with vinegar or lemon juice. Chill before serving.

For the Summer Smash Burger Build:

1. Slice, butter, and toast the inside of the burger buns.
2. Preheat a plancha or large saute pan over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the burger patties with salt and pepper. Once the plancha or pan is hot, drop the burgers and smash with a burger smasher or hot metal spatula. Once the first side is darkly caramelized and crisp, flip the burgers, top each with a slice of cheddar, and continue cooking to desired doneness/texture on the other side.
3. Spread Thousand Island dressing on both sides of the burger buns. Add two smash burgers to the button of each bun. Top with lettuce, tomato, and the bun top.

Ingredients

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing:

Yield 1 cup

• Mayonnaise: 110g
• Ketchup: 30g
• Cornichon, chopped or Sweet Pickle Relish: 30g
• Shallot, brunoise: 10g
• White Vinegar: 5g
• Granulated Sugar: 2g
• Paprika: 1g
• Kosher Salt: 0.5g
• Ground Black Pepper: 0.2g

For the Summer Smash Burger Build:

Yield 2 Burgers

• Burger Buns: 2ea
• Smash Burger Patties: 4ea/4oz per patty
• Aged Cheddar Slices: 4ea
• Heirloom Tomato Slices: 2ea
• Bibb Lettuce: 2 good sized leaves
• Homemade Thousand Island: as needed