Cookbook:Hamburgers Encrusted with Black Pepper

Hamburgers Encrusted with Black Pepper
Category	Hamburger recipes
Difficulty

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Cracked pepper adds a nice texture difference between the creamy cheese, tender meat, and the toasted bun, and complements the chipotle mayo.

Ingredients

Chipotle mayo

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2–4 chipotle chiles, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

Burgers

• 1 pound ground chuck steak
• Salt
• ¼ cup cracked black peppercorns, plus more if needed
• 4 slices of your favorite smooth-melting cheese (optional), room temperature
• Dijon mustard
• 4 hamburger buns, halved

Procedure

1. Whisk together all chipotle mayo ingredients until well combined. Refrigerate until needed.
2. Shape beef into 4 equal patties. Brush with Dijon mustard on both sides and sprinkle liberally with kosher salt on both sides.
3. Place peppercorns in a pie pan. Press patties lightly on both sides into pepper. Set aside.
4. Heat about 25 charcoal briquets in a large chimney starter. Reapply grate.
5. Add burgers and cook, turning often, until internal temperature reaches 143°F for medium rare, 157°F for medium, and 167°F for well/toast.
6. Remove to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. If using cheese, place one slice on top of each patty. Meanwhile, toast buns on the grill.
7. Spread buns with chipotle mayo. Add a patty on top of the bottom half of a bun and top with the other half. Serve warm.