The Big Double Cheeseburger & Secret Sauce Recipe

Introduction

The Big Double Cheeseburger with Secret Sauce is a hearty, flavorful classic made special with a tangy, homemade sauce. This recipe layers two juicy steak patties with cheese, fresh lettuce, gherkins, and a unique secret sauce that takes the burger experience to the next level.

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 sesame-topped burger buns
• 300g steak mince
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• Small wedge of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
• 2 slices mild cheddar or burger cheese
• 1 gherkin, sliced lengthways
• Oven fries, to serve
• 100g mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp American mustard
• Large pinch garlic granules
• Large pinch onion granules
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp pickle relish or finely chopped gherkin

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the finely chopped onions in a small bowl and pour boiling water over them until just covered. Leave to cool.
2. Step 2: In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise, American mustard, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, white wine vinegar, and pickle relish. Add 1 tablespoon of the cooled onion water and mix thoroughly. Set the sauce aside.
3. Step 3: Halve two burger buns, then cut a thick slice from the middle of the other two buns. Toast or grill the middle slices on both sides and the other buns only on the cut sides. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven to 100°C (80°C fan/gas mark 2) to keep the burgers warm after cooking.
5. Step 5: Divide the steak mince into four loose piles and season with salt and pepper.
6. Step 6: Heat ¼ tablespoon sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over high heat. Place one pile of mince in the pan.
7. Step 7: Quickly cover the patty with a square of baking parchment and use a second pan to press it down firmly for about 10 seconds. Be cautious of heat and steam.
8. Step 8: Remove the weight and baking paper, and cook the patty for 2 minutes more without pressing.
9. Step 9: Flip the patty, press down lightly with a spatula, and cook for another 1 minute.
10. Step 10: Transfer the cooked patty to a tray and keep warm in the oven. Repeat for the remaining patties.
11. Step 11: To assemble, spread some secret sauce on the base buns. Scatter with cooled onions, then add shredded lettuce, a slice of cheese, one patty, gherkin slices, and a toasted middle bun slice.
12. Step 12: Spread more sauce on the middle bun, add more onions, lettuce, the second patty, and top with the bun tops.
13. Step 13: Serve immediately with oven fries and extra sauce on the side if desired.

Tips & Variations

• If you can’t find pickle relish, mix finely chopped gherkins with a little pickling liquid as a great homemade substitute.
• For a smoky twist, try adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the secret sauce.
• Use different cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or smoked cheddar for a unique flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover burger patties and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat patties gently in a pan or microwave, and add sauce fresh before serving for best taste. Avoid assembling burgers ahead of time to keep buns from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat for the patties?

Yes, ground beef is traditional, but you can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based mince for a different take on this burger.

What if I don’t have a grill or toaster to toast the buns?

You can toast the buns in a hot dry skillet or frying pan over medium heat until golden and slightly crisp on the cut sides.

The Big Double Cheeseburger & Secret Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 280 reviews

A delicious big double cheeseburger featuring homemade secret sauce, melted cheddar, fresh iceberg lettuce, and tangy gherkins, perfectly paired with toasted buns and crispy oven fries. This recipe guides you through preparing juicy pressed beef patties cooked on the stovetop for maximum flavor and tenderness.

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 large double cheeseburgers 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Secret Sauce

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 100g mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp American mustard
• Large pinch garlic granules
• Large pinch onion granules
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp pickle relish or finely chopped gherkin

Burger

• 4 sesame-topped burger buns
• 300g steak mince
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• Small wedge of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
• 2 slices mild cheddar or burger cheese
• 1 gherkin sliced lengthways
• Oven fries, to serve

Instructions

1. Prepare the Onions for Sauce: Tip the finely chopped onions into a small bowl and pour over boiling water until just covered. Leave them to cool completely, which helps soften the onions and mellow their sharpness for the sauce.
2. Make the Secret Sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine mayonnaise, American mustard, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, white wine vinegar, and pickle relish or chopped gherkin. Add about 1 tablespoon of the cooled onion water and mix everything evenly until well combined. Set aside to develop flavor.
3. Prepare the Buns: Halve two of the burger buns normally. From the remaining two buns, cut a thick slice from the middle. Toast or grill these middle slices on both sides, and toast the cut sides of the other buns. Set all toasted bun parts aside.
4. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven temperature to 100°C (80°C fan) or gas mark 2 to keep the cooked patties warm later.
5. Divide and Season the Beef: Divide the mince into four loose piles and season each with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cook the Burger Patties: Heat ¼ tablespoon sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over high heat. Place one pile of beef in the pan, cover it with a square of baking parchment, then press down firmly using a second pan to flatten the patty for about 10 seconds. Carefully remove the weight and paper, then cook the patty for 2 more minutes. Flip the patty and press down gently with a spatula, cooking another 1 minute. Transfer cooked patties to the preheated oven to keep warm while cooking the remaining patties in the same way.
7. Assemble the Burgers: Spread a generous amount of the secret sauce on the bun bases. Scatter with cooled onions, then add shredded lettuce followed by a slice of cheddar cheese. Place one cooked patty on top, add a few gherkin slices, then the toasted middle bun slice. Spread more sauce on the middle slice, followed by more onions, lettuce, another patty, and finally the bun tops.
8. Serve: Serve the assembled big double cheeseburgers with oven fries and extra secret sauce on the side, if desired.

Notes

• Using the pressing technique when cooking patties gives them a nice crust and even thickness quickly.
• If pickle relish is unavailable, finely chopped gherkins mixed with their pickling liquid make a good substitute.
• Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven to prevent them from drying out before assembling.
• You can customize the cheese type to your preference, though mild cheddar works well for melting and flavor balance.
• Toasting the middle bun slices adds texture and prevents sogginess from sauce and juices.

Keywords: double cheeseburger, secret sauce, burger recipe, homemade burgers, stovetop patties, American mustard sauce, gherkins, toasted buns