From above you see a glossy, lightly toasted brioche bun gleaming with the oozing bourbon BBQ sauce. The medium-rare, seared beef patty topped with melted aged cheddar stands in stark contrast to the crisp green lettuce. The caramelized onion adds a delicate golden crown, leaving a trail of appetizing aroma.

NYC Iconic Bourbon BBQ Burger

Name: NYC Iconic Bourbon BBQ Burger
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Aged beef ground, 2 lbs formed into 4 patties; Aged cheddar cheese, 4 slices; Brioche buns, 4 halved; Yellow onions, 2 sliced thin; Bourbon, 1/4 cup; Tomato ketchup, 1 cup; Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons; Apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon; Garlic, 2 cloves minced; Butter, 2 tablespoons; Lettuce leaves, 4; Salt, To taste; Black pepper, To taste; Olive oil, For grilling

Category BBQ

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style American

Technique Grilling

Diet Friendly Keto

Daily Recipe: May 28, 2025

This recipe is a tribute to the iconic American dish - the Hamburger. We're turning up the flavor notch with a juicy aged beef patty and gourmet toppings like aged cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and a homemade bourbon bbq sauce. Each element elevates this classic street food to a masterpiece worthy of a Michelin star restaurant.

Ingredients (for 4)

Aged beef ground - 2 lbs - formed into 4 patties
Aged cheddar cheese - 4 slices
Brioche buns - 4 - halved
Yellow onions - 2 - sliced thin
Bourbon - 1/4 cup
Tomato ketchup - 1 cup
Brown sugar - 2 tablespoons
Apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Butter - 2 tablespoons
Lettuce leaves - 4
Salt - To taste
Black pepper - To taste
Olive oil - For grilling

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥘🔥🍯

Heat the bourbon in a saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes until the alcohol smell evaporates. Then add the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and garlic. Let it simmer for 20 minutes until it thickens into a sauce.
Step 2 - 🍳🧅🔥

In a skillet, melt the butter and add the sliced onions. Cook them over a low heat for about 20 minutes until they become caramelized and golden brown.
Step 3 - 🔥🍔🧂

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the patties with oil, season with salt and pepper and grill them. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they reach a medium-rare finish.
Step 4 - 🍔🧀🔥

In the last minute of grilling, add a slice of cheese on each patty and close the grill lid to let it melt nicely.
Step 5 - 🔥🍞🌟

Toast the buns on the grill until they achieve a nice golden hue.
Step 6 - 🍔🥬🧅

Spread the bourbon BBQ sauce on the buns, add a lettuce leaf on top, then the cheese melted patty and finally top it with caramelized onions.

Additional

Did you know that the hamburger, as we know it, was first served at Delmonico's in New York City, back in 1834? It was then known as the 'Hamburg steak'. For a vegetarian option, replace the beef patties with Portobello mushroom or grilled eggplant slices. Kids can help with building their own burgers.