Million-Dollar Burgers

When you live in northern Wisconsin, let’s just say that winters are long. Very long. So at the first hint that warm and sunny weather is here to stay, I’m ready to pull the cover off the grill and start flipping burgers. My favorite burger recipes are the ones with flavor-packed patties piled high with toppings, and this million-dollar burger recipe definitely fits the bill.

Million-dollar recipes make up a whole category of decadent foods with hefty lists of ingredients (like, a million of them). But here, the flavor pay-off is totally worth it. The beef patties are flavored with a savory combination of chopped onions, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce and prepared mustard. Once they’re grilled to juicy perfection, they’re topped with cheese, Fresno chile pepper rings and bacon strips, to name just a few options. Share these magnificent burgers at your next summer barbecue, and they’ll be the talk of the neighborhood.

Million-Dollar Burger Ingredients

• Ground beef: The best ground beef for burgers depends on how you plan to cook them. If you like a medium-rare burger, choose an 80% lean blend; for medium-well, use a 70% lean blend. To prevent well-done burgers from drying out quickly, use a high-fat 60% lean blend.
• Finely chopped onion: The best types of onion to use for this recipe are yellow or white onions.
• Chili sauce: Use your favorite store-bought chili sauce or make homemade chili pepper sauce. Manage the heat by choosing from sweet, mild, hot or super-hot varieties depending on your spice tolerance.
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment that adds a tangy and savory flavor to the burgers.
• Prepared mustard: Choose from yellow, stone-ground or Dijon mustard to flavor your burger patties. You can simply use your favorite brand of mustard.
• Hamburger buns: The burgers are served on toasted buns. For bonus points, bake a fresh batch of hamburger buns.
• Toppings: The toppings take this million-dollar burger over the top. For a fully-loaded burger, top it with pepper jack cheese, grilled corn, chili-lime mayo, sliced Fresno chile pepper rings, sliced avocado, red onion rings, cooked bacon strips and fresh cilantro.

Directions

Step 1: Make the patties

Combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Mix them lightly but thoroughly. Shape the beef mixture into eight patties.

Editor’s Tip: Overhandling the beef mixture is a common grilling mistake that can result in tough burgers. One way to prevent overworking the meat is to mix together the seasonings first, then gently stir in the ground beef.

Step 2: Grill the burgers

Grill the burgers, covered, on an oiled rack over medium direct heat until a thermometer inserted into them reads 160°F and the juices run clear, about six minutes on each side.

Step 3: Add a million toppings

During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of pepper jack cheese, if desired. Serve the burgers on toasted buns. Garnish them with as many additional toppings as desired. We recommend grilled corn, chili-lime mayo, Fresno chile pepper rings, red onions, bacon and/or fresh cilantro.

Editor’s Tip: Chili-lime mayo can be made simply by stirring a splash of lime juice and a few dashes of chili powder into mayo to taste.

Million-Dollar Burger Variations

• Add fresh herbs and seasonings: Enhance the burger patties by adding a sprinkle of your favorite seasoning blend (an all-purpose seasoning blend is a great place to start) or chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, thyme or oregano.
• Make it vegetarian: Swap the beef burger patties with our favorite veggie burger and skip the bacon on top.
• Set up a toppings bar: Let everyone choose their own burger-topping destiny by setting up a toppings bar piled high with all the goodies.

How to Store Million-Dollar Burgers

Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store the patties separate from the toppings and hamburger buns.

How long will million-dollar burgers last?

Cooked hamburgers last up to four days when they’re stored properly in the refrigerator. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to four months in a freezer-safe container. To reheat the burgers, heat the patties with a splash of water in a covered skillet over medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 160°.

Million-Dollar Burger Tips

What’s the best way to know when your burgers are done?

You don’t need to be a psychic to know when your burgers are done; you just need a reliable instant-read thermometer. Aim for 160º (the USDA recommended minimum) for well-done burgers.

How else can you make million-dollar burgers?

Skip the grill and cook these million-dollar burgers on the stovetop. You can also cook the burgers in a 350º oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or in a 350º air fryer for six to eight minutes. Regardless of the method, ensure the burgers are cooked to 160º.

What else can you serve with million-dollar burgers?

Serve these burgers with classic sides like French fries, onion rings or sweet potato fries. Or, go beyond fries and serve these burgers with grilled corn, orzo salad or an easy Caesar salad.