Quarter Pounder with Cheese-style beef burger

A thick, fresh beef patty seared hard and topped with melting American cheese, raw onion, pickles and a swipe of mustard and ketchup in a soft toasted bun.

Ingredients

• 1 beef patty (approx 113g, freshly formed not pre-pressed)
• 1 sesame bun, halved
• 1 slice American cheese
• 1 tbsp finely diced white onion
• 2 pickle slices
• 1 tsp American mustard
• 1 tsp ketchup
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Form the patty loosely — don’t compress. Season generously with salt and pepper just before cooking.

2. Sear on a screaming-hot flat surface 2 minutes per side for medium, no pressing.

3. Top with cheese in the final 30 seconds so it melts over the patty.

4. Toast the bun cut-side down in a dry pan 60 seconds.

5. Build: bun base, mustard, ketchup, onion, pickles, patty with cheese, bun top. Eat hot.

Notes

The key is the coarse seasoning and the high-heat sear — don’t press the patty.