Buffalo Bill Burgers
Submitted by HELEN
Pepper-crusted lean beef burgers topped with baked beans on kaiser rolls. Seared in a skillet with crushed peppercorns and red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
30 minCOOK
10 minREADY
40 minFive ingredients, one skillet, and you’ve got dinner. These burgers get their bite from crushed black peppercorns and ground red pepper pressed into both sides of the patty before searing. That spice crust hits you right away, and the lean beef keeps things from feeling heavy.
The sear is key. Start the skillet on high heat to lock in a hard crust, then drop to medium for the remaining cook time. That initial blast of heat caramelizes the pepper and creates a bark that holds up under the toppings.
The baked beans go right into the same skillet after the burgers come out, soaking up all those spiced pan drippings. Four minutes is all they need to heat through and pick up extra flavor from the fond left behind.
Pile everything onto a sturdy kaiser roll. You need that structural integrity because the beans will slide if the bread can’t handle them.
Pro Tips
- Crush the peppercorns yourself with the bottom of a heavy pan rather than using pre-ground. Freshly cracked pepper has sharper heat and more aroma.
- Don’t press the burgers down with a spatula while cooking. You’ll squeeze out the juices and end up with a dry puck.
- Let the burgers rest 2 to 3 minutes before putting them on the rolls so the juices redistribute.
- Toast the kaiser rolls cut-side down in the skillet for 30 seconds while the burgers rest.
Variations
- Smoky version: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the pepper crust and use smoky barbecue baked beans.
- Cheese-topped: Lay a slice of sharp cheddar on each burger during the last minute of cooking and cover the skillet to melt it.
Ingredients
Directions
To make burgers:
Shape beef into 4 burgers.
Sprinkle peppercorns and red pepper on both sides of burgers.
Coat a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray; warm over high heat.
Add burgers and sear them on both sides.
Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes.
To cook beans: Add beans to skillet.
Cook until hot, about 4 minutes.
To assemble sandwiches: Place burgers in rolls, and top each with beans.
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