Name: Classic Cheeseburgers with Crispy Fries and Special Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 2 medium russet potatoes; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 pound ground beef; 4 slices American cheese; 4 hamburger buns; 0.25 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish; 0.25 small white onion; 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 leaves iceberg lettuce; 1 medium tomato; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Classic Cheeseburgers with Crispy Fries and Special Sauce

Weeknightamericancomfort-foodweeknight

15 minPrep25 minCook2Serves

Ingredients

2 mediumrusset potatoes
3 tablespoonsvegetable oil
1 poundground beef (80/20 blend)
4 slicesAmerican cheese
4hamburger buns
¼ cupmayonnaise
2 tablespoonsketchup
1 tablespoonsweet pickle relish
¼ smallwhite onion
¼ teaspoongarlic powder
2 leavesiceberg lettuce
1 mediumtomato
1 teaspoonkosher salt
½ teaspoonblack pepper

Prep

01
Cut 2 medium russet potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries
02
Finely dice 1/4 small white onion
03
Make special sauce: mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, the diced onion, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder in a small bowl
04
Divide 1 pound ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties about 1/2-inch thick, making a slight indent in the center of each
05
Slice 1 medium tomato
06
Separate 2 iceberg lettuce leaves

Method

01
Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
02
Toss the cut fries with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
03
Spread fries in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy
04
After the fries have baked for 15 minutes, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
05
Season burger patties on both sides with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06
Cook patties for 3 minutes without moving them, then flip and cook 2 minutes more
07
Place 1 slice of American cheese on each patty, cover the skillet, and cook 1 minute until cheese melts
08
Toast hamburger buns cut-side down in a dry skillet or toaster for 1 minute until lightly golden
09
Spread special sauce on both halves of each bun, then layer with lettuce, tomato, cheeseburger patty, and top bun
10
Serve immediately with the crispy fries

Spice Tips

For a kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the special sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce. Black pepper on the patties can be increased to 1 teaspoon for more bite. Top with sliced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese instead of American for heat.

For extra-crispy fries, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes before tossing with oil, then pat completely dry. Special sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated.