Whopper Jr-style flame-grilled beef burger

The smaller sibling of the Whopper — flame-grilled 4oz beef patty with tomato, lettuce, mayo, pickles and onion on a toasted sesame bun. All the flavour, half the size.

Ingredients

• 300 g beef mince (15% fat)
• 2 sesame-seed buns
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 4 pickle slices
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/2 small onion, sliced into rings
• 2 lettuce leaves
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 tsp sunflower oil

Method

1. Shape the patties. Divide the mince into two equal balls and press flat into 4oz patties slightly larger than the bun (they shrink). Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Sear hard. Heat a cast-iron pan or griddle to maximum heat with the oil. Lay the patties down and don’t move them for 90 seconds — you want a deep crust.

3. Flip and cook for another 60-90 seconds for medium. You’re aiming for an internal temp of 71°C if using a thermometer, but a firm bounce-back with a pink centre is fine.

4. Toast the buns. Cut the buns in half and toast the cut sides on the griddle or in a dry pan until golden , about 30 seconds.

5. Build the burger. Mayo on the bottom bun, then lettuce, patty, tomato, onion, pickles, top bun. The order matters , wet ingredients on top of wet, dry against dry.

6. Serve immediately. The Whopper Jr is at its best when the patty is still hot and the bun hasn’t gone soggy.

Notes

A screaming-hot pan is the difference between a flat-tasting burger and a proper flame-grilled crust. Don’t press the patties with a spatula , that’s burger sacrilege.