Grilled Steak Burgers
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS We wanted a burger with the big beefy flavor and crusty char of a grilled steak.
Ground sirloin, the most flavorful ground beef, was a natural choice, but unfortunately
it’s also quite lean. A seasoned butter added richness to the sirloin, but something
was missing. Steak sauce! In about five minutes, we simmered up our own intensely
flavored sauce, perfect for serving with the burger, smearing on the bun, and even
mixing into the beef before cooking. See the sidebar that follows the recipe.
SERVES 4
Use kaiser rolls or other hearty buns for these substantial burgers.
|
BURGERS |
|
|
8 |
tablespoons unsalted butter |
|
2 |
garlic cloves, minced |
|
2 |
teaspoons onion powder |
|
1 |
teaspoon pepper |
|
½ |
teaspoon salt |
|
2 |
teaspoons soy sauce |
|
1½ |
pounds 90 percent lean ground sirloin |
|
4 |
hamburger buns |
|
STEAK SAUCE |
|
|
2 |
tablespoons tomato paste |
|
⅔ |
cup beef broth |
|
⅓ |
cup raisins |
|
2 |
tablespoons soy sauce |
|
2 |
tablespoons Dijon mustard |
|
2 |
tablespoons balsamic vinegar |
|
1 |
tablespoon Worcestershire sauce |
1. FOR THE BURGERS: Melt butter in 8-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic, onion powder, pepper, and salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour all but 1 tablespoon butter mixture into bowl and let cool for about 5 minutes.
2. FOR THE STEAK SAUCE: Meanwhile, add tomato paste to skillet and cook over medium heat until paste begins to darken, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in broth, raisins, soy sauce, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire and simmer until raisins plump, about 5 minutes. Process sauce in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds; transfer to bowl.
3. Add 5 tablespoons cooled butter mixture and soy sauce to ground beef and gently knead until well combined. Shape into four ¾-inch-thick patties and press shallow divot in center of each. Brush each patty all over with 1 tablespoon steak sauce. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons cooled butter mixture with 2 tablespoons steak sauce; set aside.
4A. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
4B. FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave burners on high.
5. Clean and oil cooking grate. Grill burgers (covered if using gas) until meat registers 120 to 125 degrees (for medium-rare), 3 to 4 minutes per side, or 130 to 135 degrees (for medium), 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer burgers to plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Brush cut side of buns with butter–steak sauce mixture. Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Place burgers on buns. Serve with remaining steak sauce.