Cheeseburgers - Korean With Sesame-Cucumber Pickles

Serves 4 in 25 mins


2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar

2 large Persian cucumbers, sliced 1/8-inch-thick

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons chopped scallions

2 teaspoons minced garlic

½ cup mayonnaise

2 ½ teaspoons roasted sesame oil

1 ½ pounds ground beef (preferably chuck or sirloin)

4 slices American cheese

4 hamburger buns

Butter lettuce, sliced onions and sliced tomatoes, for serving


In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add cucumbers and toss to coat, then let stand at room temperature.

Heat broiler to high and set oven rack set 6 inches from heat.

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, scallions, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.

Mix well, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

Transfer 1 tablespoon of the marinade to a small bowl and stir in mayonnaise and ½ teaspoon sesame oil. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine beef and 3 tablespoons of the scallion marinade.

Gently mix to incorporate.

Form into 8 thin patties (each about 4 ½ inches wide) and arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.

Brush tops with half of the remaining marinade.

Flip and brush with the remaining marinade.

Broil until golden and caramelized on top, about 4 minutes.

Arrange cheese on 4 patties, top with the remaining patties and let stand until cheese melts, about 1 minute.

Pour off all the liquid from the cucumbers and stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil.

Smear the cut side of the buns with some of the seasoned mayonnaise.

Arrange bottom buns on plates.

Layer with lettuce, onion, tomato, double-stack burgers, pickles and top bun.

Serve with extra pickles on the side.