Grass-Fed Burgers with Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Randy Mon
Time 35 minutes. You’ll have plenty of the spicy, tangy sauce left over. Have it with grilled chicken or ribs.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Make sauce: Purée all sauce ingredients in a food processor until very smooth.
Step 2
2
Make burgers: In a bowl, combine beef and 1 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper (if using preformed burgers, sprinkle with salt and pepper). Form into 4 patties about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in each to help keep burgers flat as they cook. Put on a plate, cover, and chill until ready to grill.
Step 3
3
Preheat a grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds).
Step 4
4
Sprinkle onions with remaining salt and pepper and 1 tsp. oil. Grill, covered, until softened, turning once, 8 minutes total.
Step 5
5
Meanwhile, rub burgers with 2 tsp. oil and grill, covered, turning once, about 6 minutes total for medium-rare. In the last few moments of cooking, lay a slice of cheese on each burger. Lay bun halves, cut side down, on grill to toast slightly.
Step 6
6
Transfer buns to a platter and fill with burgers and onions. Spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp. barbecue sauce on top and add a slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: Sauce: 1 week chilled.
Step 8
8
Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger, with 1 1/2 tbsp. sauce and trimmings.
Ingredients
Sauce
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (about 3 chiles), plus 1 tbsp. sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Burgers
1 1/4 pounds grass-fed ground beef
2 teaspoons each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 red onion, sliced 1/4 to 1/2 in. thick crosswise
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 sesame hamburger buns
4 slices ripe tomato
4 leaves butter or romaine lettuce
Directions
Step 1
1
Make sauce: Purée all sauce ingredients in a food processor until very smooth.
Step 2
2
Make burgers: In a bowl, combine beef and 1 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper (if using preformed burgers, sprinkle with salt and pepper). Form into 4 patties about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in each to help keep burgers flat as they cook. Put on a plate, cover, and chill until ready to grill.
Step 3
3
Preheat a grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds).
Step 4
4
Sprinkle onions with remaining salt and pepper and 1 tsp. oil. Grill, covered, until softened, turning once, 8 minutes total.
Step 5
5
Meanwhile, rub burgers with 2 tsp. oil and grill, covered, turning once, about 6 minutes total for medium-rare. In the last few moments of cooking, lay a slice of cheese on each burger. Lay bun halves, cut side down, on grill to toast slightly.
Step 6
6
Transfer buns to a platter and fill with burgers and onions. Spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp. barbecue sauce on top and add a slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: Sauce: 1 week chilled.
Step 8
8
Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger, with 1 1/2 tbsp. sauce and trimmings.
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