Dad's Hamburger Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 Pickled onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1½ bay leaf
- ¾ tsp. black peppercorns
- ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 medium red onion
thinly sliced
- 2 Sauce and assembly
- 1 large egg yolk*
- 1½ Tbsp. spicy brown mustard
- 1½ Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. honey
- ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
plus more
- 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
plus more
- 8 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. plus 2 Tbsp. ghee or clarified butter
or more
- 4 slices white sandwich bread
- 4 lb. ground beef
- slices white cheddar
Directions
- 1
Cook garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns, and red pepper flakes in a dry small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often, until garlic is browned in spots and spices are lightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes.
- 2
Place red onion in an airtight container; strain pickling liquid over. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
- 3
Do ahead: Onion can be pickled 1 week ahead. Keep chilled.
- 4
Whisk together egg yolk, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, honey, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 1 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly stream in oil, whisking until sauce is emulsified and lightened in color. (Alternatively, you can process in a food processor.) Set aside.
- 5
Heat 2 tsp. ghee in a large skillet over medium-high. Working in batches and adding more ghee between batches if needed, cook bread, undisturbed, until golden brown and crisp underneath, about 3 minutes. Transfer, toasted side down, to a wire rack. Reserve skillet.
- 6
Portion beef into 4 loosely packed balls (4 oz. each); season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- 7
Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. ghee in reserved skillet over medium-high. Place balls of meat in skillet and tilt skillet so ghee pools in pan; spoon melted ghee over meat to coat. Using a sturdy metal spatula, press down on meat to form ½"-thick patties. Cook until browned and crisp underneath, about 2 minutes. Flip patties; top patties with cheese. Partially cover skillet and cook until cheese is melted and patties are browned on other side and cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving fat behind.
- 8
Crack eggs into same skillet and cook, shaking pan occasionally to prevent eggs from sticking together, until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
- 9
To build sandwiches, spread untoasted side of bread slices with reserved sauce. Arrange a few lettuce leaves over 4 slices, then top each with some drained pickled onion, a patty, and an egg. Close up sandwiches.
- 10
Do ahead: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
- 11
*Raw egg is not recommended for infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems…or people who don’t like raw eggs.
Dad's Hamburger Sandwich
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 18 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a hamburger experience that's anything but ordinary? Dad's Hamburger Sandwich transforms a classic into an unforgettable meal, elevating humble ground beef with layers of vibrant flavor and texture. This isn't just a burger; it's a thoughtfully constructed sandwich designed to delight with every bite.
What makes this recipe truly special is its ingenious combination of components. We're talking about a perfectly cooked hamburger patty, crowned with a rich fried egg, bright and tangy pickled red onions, and a deeply savory special sauce. All these delicious elements are carefully nestled between two slices of buttered white bread, creating a harmonious and utterly satisfying handheld meal.
Expect a symphony of tastes: the robust, savory beef patty pairs beautifully with the creamy, runny yolk of the fried egg. The sharpness of the pickled red onions cuts through the richness, adding a crucial bright counterpoint, while the homemade special sauce, with its complex notes of mustard, Worcestershire, and honey, ties everything together. The buttered bread provides a soft, yet sturdy, vehicle for all these incredible flavors. It's a truly indulgent and comforting sandwich that feels both familiar and excitingly new.
Feel free to customize this delightful creation to your liking. While the recipe specifies white balsamic or white wine vinegar for the pickled onions, you can experiment with other vinegars for a slightly different tang. Similarly, the sauce can be tweaked; perhaps a different mustard if you prefer. For the beef, ensure you use good quality ground beef to achieve the best flavor. The white cheddar cheese adds a classic, melty touch that’s hard to beat.
This hamburger sandwich is perfect for a hearty lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even a decadent brunch. Serve it simply on its own, letting its complex flavors shine, or alongside a crisp green salad to round out the meal. It's an instant crowd-pleaser that celebrates the joy of a well-made sandwich.