Cajun Cheeseburger with Grilled Onions and Praline Bacon
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 60 burgers
- Total: 3 hr
- Active: 3 hr
Ingredients
5 pounds yellow onions
1/2 cup canola oil
Kosher salt
5 pounds bacon
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 pound light brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
3 tablespoons medium grind black pepper
3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
3 teaspoons ancho chili powder
3 teaspoons garlic powder
3 teaspoons onion powder
3 teaspoons smoked paprika
20 pounds 80/20 ground beef
3 pounds grated Cheddar
60 hamburger buns
Potato chips, for serving
Directions
Special equipment:
a flat top grill- Slice the onions into thin rings and toss with the canola oil and 2 tablespoons salt in a large bowl.
- Heat a flat top grill to high heat. Saute the onions until caramelized and soft. Reserve.
- Slice the bacon strips into thirds, crossways. Cook the bacon on the flat top grill until most of the fat is rendered and bacon is crispy. Transfer the bacon to a rimmed baking sheet and reserve.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook until fully dissolved and bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. It will be very hot. Carefully pour the mixture over the crispy bacon. Use tongs or a large spoon to stir the bacon and praline sauce together until well coated. Reserve the praline bacon.
- Whisk together the molasses, mustard and hot sauce in a bowl to make a dipping sauce. Reserve.
- Make a Cajun seasoning rub by combining the black pepper, cayenne, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and 3 tablespoons salt in a bowl.
- Form the ground beef into 60 patties that are roughly 1/3 pound each. Sprinkle each patty on both sides with some of the Cajun rub. Working in batches if necessary, cook the burgers on the flat top grill to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side, adding Cheddar to the top of each patty at the end to melt.
- Toast the burger buns. Place the burgers on the bottom parts of the buns. Top with the onions, praline bacon and top parts of the buns. Serve with the potato chips and dipping sauce.