Ingredients

10 ounces sirloin steak tips, cut into 1-inch chunks (look for meat that has a striated texture to be sure you have the right cut. Flank steak may be substituted)

6 ounces boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1-inch chunks

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 soft hamburger buns (potato rolls)

1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

4 slices American cheese (don’t substitute! American cheese has the perfect texture for this recipe)

Thinly sliced onion

Classic Burger Sauce Ingredients:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/2 teaspoon sweet pickle relish

1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Mix ingredients for burger sauce and refrigerate it until you’re ready for it.
  2. Place chunks of meat onto baking sheet about 1/2 inch apart. Freeze until very firm, hard around the edges, but still pliable (15-25 minutes).
  3. Grind meat in a food processor in two batches, using 10 to 15 one-second pulses and redistributing meat in the processor as necessary. Transfer the meat to a tray or baking sheet without touching it - just overturn the processor bowl onto the tray. You want to touch the meat as little as possible from here on out. Discard gristle or hunks of fat.
  4. Gently separate ground meat into 4 equal mounds using a spatula. Shape each mound gently (without picking it up) into a patty about 4 inches in diameter and thin (about 1/4 inch thick), leaving edges ragged and crevices in the burger. Season top of each patty liberally with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to flip patties and season the other side. Stick them in the refrigerator while you toast the buns.
  5. Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it foams. Toast 4 buns, tops and bottoms, in batches until golden brown. Set aside and wipe out the skillet.
  6. Put skillet on high heat. Add oil and heat until just smoking. Using a spatula, put all 4 patties into the skillet and cook without moving for 3 minutes. Flip burgers over gently and cook for 1 minute. Top each with a slice of American cheese and cook for another minute.
  7. Place patties onto bun bottoms and place sliced onions on top. Spread burger sauce on each bun top, cover burgers, and serve immediately.