Let’s cook

Tap a step when it’s done.

1. 1

   Make the special sauce (5 minutes)

2. 2

   Stir all ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust: more relish for tang, more vinegar for sharpness. Chill until burger time so the flavors meld.

3. 3

   Toast the buns (5 minutes)

4. 4

   Lightly butter the cut sides and toast in a skillet until golden. Keep them warm on a covered plate or in a low oven.

5. 5

   Smash and sear the patties (6 minutes total)

6. 6

   Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high until very hot. Place a beef ball down and smash firmly with a spatula until about 1 cm thick. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for ~2 minutes until the edges crisp, then flip. Add cheese to two of the patties and cook another 1–2 minutes. You should end up with 2 cheesy patties and 2 plain ones.

7. 7

   Assemble like a pro (2 minutes)

8. 8

   Layer carefully: bottom bun → sauce → onion → lettuce → cheese-topped patty → pickles. Add the middle “club” bun → sauce → onion → lettuce → plain patty. Finish with the top bun. Press gently to set.