Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, gently combine the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough burgers. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb; this helps prevent them from puffing up too much during cooking.1 pound ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Cook the burger patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to your desired level of doneness. If using a pan, you can add a tablespoon of oil before placing the patties if desired.
- During the last minute of cooking, top each burger patty with a slice of cheddar cheese. Cover the grill or pan briefly to allow the cheese to melt beautifully.4 slices cheddar cheese
- While the burgers are cooking, whisk together the softened butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika in a small bowl until well combined and creamy. This sauce is the secret to the "crack" in our Crack Burgers!2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Lightly butter the cut sides of your hamburger buns. Toast them on the grill, in a pan, or under the broiler until golden brown and slightly crisp. This adds a delightful texture and prevents the buns from getting soggy.2 tablespoons butter, 4 hamburger buns
- Spread a generous amount of the "crack sauce" on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a cheesy burger patty on top of the sauce.1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 4 slices cheddar cheese, 1 pound ground beef
- Layer your desired toppings, such as pickle slices, lettuce leaves, and tomato slices. Don't forget to add any optional extras like caramelized onions, crispy bacon, or a fried egg for an even more decadent experience.pickle slices, lettuce leaves, tomato slices, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, fried egg
- Spread a little more "crack sauce" on the top half of the bun, if you like, and place it on top of the finished burger. Serve immediately and prepare for the ultimate burger indulgence!1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Notes
Storing Leftovers: Allow cooked burgers and any remaining "crack sauce" to cool completely before storing. Store the cooked burger patties (without buns) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Store any leftover "crack sauce" in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator; it will keep for up to 5 days. Store uncooked burger patties in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days, or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating Burgers: For best results, reheat burger patties in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating if possible, as it can make the patties tough. Reheating with Sauce: If you have leftover sauce, you can gently warm it in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave it in short intervals until warm. Add it to your reheated burger just before serving. Freezing Assembled Burgers: It's generally not recommended to freeze fully assembled burgers as the buns can become soggy. However, if you plan to freeze, assemble them without the lettuce and tomato, wrap each burger tightly in plastic wrap, and then in foil. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. Reheat in the oven.
