August 26, 2020

Crispy Two-Patty Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Secret Sauce

Jump to recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Bake Time 40

Total Time 1 20

Ingredients

For the Burgers

2 tsp avocado oil, divided
1 large yellow onion halved and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb ground chuck, formed into four ¼-inch-thick patties
2 tsp Whole30 compatible yellow mustard
2 Bibb lettuce leaves
1/4 cup Thrive Market Secret Sauce or use the "Special Sauce" recipe below to make your own!
8 Whole30-compatible dill pickle chips
2 thin slices ripe tomato

For the Seasoned Oven Fries

2 medium (6 oz) Russet potatoes, scrubbed
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp coarse salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
Whole30 Approved or compatible ketchup

Special Sauce

1/2 cup compatible mayo
2 tbsp compatible ketchup
1 tbsp coconut aminos
1 tbsp finely chopped pickle
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Instructions

MAKE special sauce by whisking together all ingredients, if using in place of Thrive Market Secret Sauce.
MAKE the Burgers: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are well-browned, about 15 minutes. When onions begin to sizzle loudly and look dry, add 1 tablespoon water; stir. Cook until water evaporates, and onions start sizzling again. Repeat, adding 1 tablespoon water and cooking until onions are very soft and dark brown, about 3 times total. Set aside.
IN a large cast-iron skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Season the patties with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Add the patties to the pan. Cook, undisturbed, until well-browned and crisp on bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, spread mustard on the raw side of each patty. Turn patties and cook for 1 minute on the mustard side.
FOR each burger, place 2 stacked lettuce leaves on each of two plates. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the Secret Sauce (or homemade special sauce), four pickle chips, one patty, half of the onions, one tomato slice, another patty, and another 1 tablespoon of Secret Sauce or homemade special sauce.
MAKE the Oven Fries: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut each potato into 12 wedges. In a medium bowl, combine potatoes, oil, salt, black pepper, and onion powder; toss to coat. Spread in a single layer on a large parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until potatoes are browned and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with ketchup.

Melissa Urban

Melissa Urban is an 8x New York Times bestselling author (including the instant bestseller, The New Whole30) who specializes in helping people establish healthy boundaries and successfully navigate habit change. She has been featured by the New York Times, People, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, and is a prominent keynote speaker on boundaries, building community, health trends, and entrepreneurship. She lives in Salt Lake City, UT with her husband, son, and two rescue doodles.