Classic Hamburger

By á-248

Slow-cooked onions add moisture and flavor to these lean beef burgers. A quick blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and vinegar makes a perfect tangy, sweet and creamy “special sauce” for this burger. We love the dill relish here, but use sweet relish if you prefer it. Serve with sweet potato fries.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 tablespoons ketchup, divided
• 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons dill pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% or leaner)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce or steak sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 sesame-seed or other hamburger buns, toasted
• 4 tomato slices
• 4 leaves green-leaf lettuce

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Combine onion, oil and 1 tablespoon ketchup in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 5 to 8 minutes more. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon ketchup, mayonnaise, relish and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.

Add beef, Worcestershire (or steak sauce) and pepper to the onion and gently combine without over-mixing. Form into 4 patties, about 3/4 inch thick.

Oil the grill rack. Grill the burgers, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Assemble the burgers on toasted buns with the ketchup-mayonnaise sauce, tomato slices and lettuce.

Notes:

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare ketchup-mayonnaise sauce and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Stovetop variation:

Coat a nonstick pan, preferably cast-iron (or a grill pan), with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add burgers, reduce heat to medium and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer registers 155°F (for pork and bison) or 165° (for beef or chicken), 4 to 5 minutes per side.