Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Full-Fat Mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp Dill Pickle Relish (or finely diced gherkins)
  • 1 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
  • 1 tsp White Wine Vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Sweetener (Erythritol or Stevia, optional)
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Pinch Paprika (Smoked, optional)
  • 1-2 tsp Water or Pickle Juice (to thin)
  • 1 lb Ground Beef (85% lean)
  • 1/4 cup Yellow Onion, finely diced (for cooking)
  • Salt and Fresh Black Pepper, To taste
  • 2 Tbsp Water (for steaming beef)
  • 2 slices American or Cheddar Cheese, broken into pieces
  • 1 large head Iceberg Lettuce, finely shredded
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Dill Pickles (Gherkins)
  • 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved
  • 2 Tbsp Finely Diced Onion (raw, for garnish)
  • 1 tsp Sesame Seeds (optional garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Combine all sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, sweetener, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika) in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
  2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or pickle juice until the sauce reaches an easily drizzleable but still thick consistency.
  3. Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes while preparing the rest of the ingredients. Chilling is crucial for flavour melding.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1/4 cup of finely diced yellow onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft.
  5. Add the ground beef to the pan. Season generously with salt and pepper. Use a sturdy utensil to break the beef down into very fine crumbles (the finer, the more authentic the burger texture).
  6. Once the beef is mostly browned, add the 2 tablespoons of water. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes), then drain off any excess rendered fat.
  7. Immediately sprinkle the broken pieces of American or Cheddar cheese over the hot beef and stir constantly until the cheese is just melted and coating the meat. Remove from heat.
  8. Place the finely shredded iceberg lettuce into a large serving bowl. Layer with the halved tomatoes, sliced pickles (gherkins), and the raw diced onion.
  9. Spoon the warm, cheesy beef mixture evenly over the salad base.
  10. Drizzle the chilled Special Sauce generously over the entire salad. Garnish lightly with sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately while the beef is still warm.