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Bison Double Smash Burgers with Special Sauce

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Bison Double Smash Burgers with Special Sauce on a cutting board

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Bison Double Smash Burgers with Special Sauce

Makes: 10 patties or 5 double burgers

INGREDIENTS:

Burgers

  • 2 lbs ground bison
  • 4 oz block cheddar cheese, sliced as thinly as possible
  • ½ white onion, sliced as thinly as possible (a mandoline works well here)
  • 5 thin slices tomato
  • small head bibb lettuce
  • dill pickles slices
  • 3 tbs pork lard (or alternative, high-heat cooking fat such as beef tallow)
  • 5 burger buns
  • 2 tbs butter
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper

Special Sauce

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbs Dijon mustard
  • juice from ½ lime
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 2 tbs minced dill pickle
  • ¼ – ½ tsp red cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbs minced fresh tender herbs such as parsley, chives, or cilantro
  • pinch kosher salt
  • pinch black pepper

PREPARATION:

Burgers

Divide the bison meat into 10, 3-oz portions. You may have a little extra meat; simply divide it up between the portions. Form into balls and set aside. Slice the buns in half lengthwise and butter the cut side. Toast either in the
oven or on a hot, dry griddle until golden brown. Divide the onion slices on the bottom of each bun. Slather special sauce on the cut side of the top half of the bun. Set aside.

Place a cast-iron skillet on the stove and warm over medium heat for two minutes. Add 1tbs lard and heat until very hot, just beginning to smoke; you’ll want to turn your hood on for this process. Place four of the bison portions in the skillet, allowing for room around the sides as they will be smashed. Using a burger press or a sturdy metal spatula (and wearing an oven mitt), press down firmly on each bison patty, flattening as thinly as possible. Season liberally with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the patties and place a slice of cheese on each burger. Cover with a lid and turn the heat off. After about 1 minute, or as soon as the cheese is melted, layer two patties on the bottom of each bun, on top of the onions. Garnish burgers with pickles, tomato, and lettuce and cover with top bun. Add remaining tablespoon of lard to the pan and repeat with the remaining portions of bison. Serve with extra special sauce alongside

Special Sauce

Combine all ingredients and whisk until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if preferred.

From Season 6, Episode 4

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