dinner/recipes/sandwiches

Best Burger Recipe

Posted July 7, 2014 by Stephanie
burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

I’m on a burger kick. Possibly due the fact that I ordered 48 Martin’s Potato Rolls.

You know how in fashion there’s a have-to-get-it item every season? All the celebrities have it, there’s a massive wait list and there are multiple knock offs at H&M and Forever 21. Or if you’re not into fashion, and tech is more your thing, the it-item is more akin to the latest Apple product. Everyone’s talking about it, people are lining up, there are videos of un-boxings and jealousy all around.

burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Well, in the food world these things happen too. And they happen so much more often. There was the super hyped up cronut and the ramen burger, but before the food hybrids of the world, there was Shake Shack. Shake Shack started off as a humble little food cart in Madison Square Park, but now, just like a little black dress, it’s a classic in the food world.

burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

I am totally a marketer’s dream. I am susceptible to hype. I believe the buzz. So much so that I build things up in my mind and then am disappointed by reality. Not so with Shake Shack. From my first taste oh so many years ago, to a more recent sampling at the first London outpost, I have never been disappointed with Shake Shack. Well, actually, I am disappointed that they switched from crinkle cut fries to fresh, straight cut fries.

burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Fries aside, Shake Shack makes what I think is the Best Burger. For me, burgers don’t need a lot going on. A nice crust on a juicy patty with a slightly pink inside, American cheese (because it’s the meltiest), a slice or two of tomato, green leaf lettuce, a bit of sauce and a gloriously squishy bun. The squishy bun is key.

It’s relatively easy to recreate at home, especially if you follow this handy guide from Serious Eats. I didn’t grind my own meat, but I did order some Martin’s Potato Rolls and it was totally worth it – much easier than a flight out to the East Coast!

burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

The Shake Shack Burger at Home Recipe via Serious Eats
makes: 4

  • 1 lb mix of ground chuck and sirloin
  • 2 tablespoons room temperature butter
  • 4 Martin’s Sandwich Rolls
  • 4 tablespoons Shack Sauce
  • 4 leaves of green-leaf lettuce, soft parts only
  • 8 slices plum tomato
  • 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • Kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper
  • 4 slices American cheese

Form the meat into 4 equal patties about 2 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Butter and toast your buns, being careful not to break the buns apart. Spread Shack Sauce on top bun and place 1 leaf of lettuce and 2 slices of tomato on the top bun.

Heat up a heavy cast iron skillet over medium high heat and swirl around the oil. Add the patties and press down, using a flat spatula. Cook until a crust has formed, about 2 minutes. Scrape and flip, topping each patty with American cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Move patties to buns and enjoy immediately.

Shake Shack Sauce Recipe
makes 3/4 cups

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 4 slices kosher dill pickle
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch cayenne pepper

Combine ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

burger recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

67 Comments

  1. Mareen says:

    i love a good shake shack burger and it has been way too long since i had my last one. so i always have to recreate it at home. of course i serve it with crinkle cut fries. they are just a must.

    i can’t get the buns over here though, so it is never even close to the real deal. i definitley need to find a good copy cat recipe for the buns to bake my own. but i had no luck so far.

    1. steph says:

      the bun totally makes the burger! crinkle cut fries for life!!

  2. molly yeh says:

    um, hi. you are a genius. i love you EVEN MORE for posting this recipe. i am going to the store for beef now. happy monday :)

    1. steph says:

      :D MEATY MONDAYS!!!

  3. Love this! Fake shack?! You are literally hilarious :D
    Have a great day!

    http://youtube.com/addalittlefood

    1. steph says:

      thanks millie!! :)

  4. Sabrina says:

    Oh my…this is gorgeous !

    1. steph says:

      thanks so much sabrina! :D

  5. cynthia says:

    SHAKE SHACK!!!!!! SHACK SAUCE!!! I HAVE TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I CAN’T!! You are my idol, Steph. My idol. You can find me in the corner with a Steph Le Filet-o-Fish in one hand and a Steph Le Fake Shack burger in the other, and about a bucket of that Shack Sauce. In utter rapture.

    1. steph says:

      cynthia….i LOVE your comments. they never fail to put a smile on my face xoxoxo

  6. yangjanice says:

    I am such a Shake Shack addict! If you’re ever in NYC, you should also try 5 Napkin! My love for burgers is split between these two places.

    1. steph says:

      ooh i haven’t heard of 5 napkin – i’ll have to give them a go when i’m there next. thanks for the tip!

  7. OMG, THIS LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE A SHAKE SHACK BURGER. Good job!!!! I think if I tried to receate a Shake Shack burger, it would not be anywhere close to the original version. Can you recreate and In N Out burger next plz? Kthanxbai.

    1. steph says:

      heehee hmm….in and out…i don’t even know what buns they use!!

  8. Love this! I think it actually beats Shake Shack because Shake Shack burgers are so little! I like the option with bacon and portobello mushroom but when it comes to just the single cheeseburger….my vote goes for In N Out! Did not think that was going to be the case at all when I tried it but I think I just can’t mentally separate the value (price for amount of burger maths) from my overall enjoyment of the experience.

    Concrete shakes though, that’s a whole other deal. Those babies kick In N Out milkshake butt.

    1. steph says:

      oh gosh, that deep fried portobello mushroom. i die! SO. GOOD. and yes, those concretes….they have the BEST flavours

  9. tara says:

    I’m kind of scared to admit this, but I’ve never been to Shake Shack. Obviously, I need to change this. Potato rolls are the best.

    1. steph says:

      do it!! go!! they’re delicious! :) but only if there’s no line :P

  10. Brent says:

    Fantastic recipe! Have you found any bun substitutes that are close to the Martins here in Vancouver?

    1. steph says:

      No, sadly I have not tasted anything remotely as delicious in Vancouver…

  11. PassTheKnife says:

    I’m with you, for burgers, the simpler the better! A few things I need for a good burger are a toasted bun (that still squishes), some good seasoning, in my opinion Montreal Steak Salt is the best, cheese, bbq sauce and of course that juicy meat cooked to medium rare!

    1. steph says:

      yes, toasted buns are a must. as is the medium rare :)

  12. AH! I’ve made this Serious Eats recipe before too, and it really, really is the best burger I’ve ever made. And Shake Shack really, really is the best burger place out there. LOVE IT SO MUCH.

    1. steph says:

      :D did you grind your own meat!??! i just couldn’t commit that much :P

  13. Grace says:

    Where did you order the potato rolls from?! I thought they were an east coast only thing! I want!

    1. steph says:

      i ordered them straight from martin’s website. it was kind of a ridiculous spur of the moment impulse buy. the shipping is ridiculous, but if you’re interested, it’s: http://potatorolls.com/store/

  14. i have never been to shake shack but it’s a place i dream about going to and EATING MY FACE OFF! i love me a soft squishy bun with a burger! this looks so good!!!

    1. steph says:

      ahh!! you need to go!! or….i just need to make you some :)

  15. waaah. i just can’t even! looks amaze

    1. steph says:

      thanks adrian! xoxo

  16. Billy says:

    ohmygod yes to all of this.

    all. of. this.

    1. steph says:

      MEATY MONDAYS FOR LIFE! :D

  17. Gaby says:

    Looks like an amazing burger!!!

    1. steph says:

      thank you gaby!! :D

  18. craving this now. definitely a recipe i will be trying. thanks for the great recipe & inspiring post!

    1. steph says:

      thanks thalia! :)

  19. Tieghan says:

    Genius, genius, genius! You make a burger look so dang good.

    1. steph says:

      thanks tieghan! YOU make everything look good!! :D

  20. Kathryn says:

    Oh man. I want a burger so bad right now.

    1. steph says:

      i want burgers ALL THE TIME :)

  21. maria says:

    How is your blog, and your photos, SO PERFECT? Seriously it’s freaking me out a little.

    1. steph says:

      aww, you are too sweet!! thanks maria!! xo

  22. cakebrain says:

    that’s a lot o’ buns! I’d be fretting about where to store them in my freezer! glad I discovered your blog…it’s very purrrty.

    1. steph says:

      i carved out some freezer space before ordering ;)

  23. Erika says:

    Okay 1) your photos slay me! They’re just so IAAFB distinctive and AMAZING. 2) I love you for ordering all those potato buns. You’re inspiring me to finally order that tasting box of Momofuku wedding cakes that I’ve always wanted to order, just for kicks. 3) I’ve never been to Shake Shack!!!!!! But I hear they’re looking at Houston so I am so so so excited!!!!! Can you post how to make a concrete next? ;)

    1. steph says:

      thanks erika!! LOLing at the IAAFB acronym :D
      DO IT!! order the tasting box! just do it!!!! and take pics, of course!!

      i need a soft serve machine stat!

  24. love shake shack. i cannot wait to have this burger. all. the. time.

    1. steph says:

      it is a great and dangerous power, being able to make these all day, everyday :)

  25. JulieD says:

    Looks amazing!!! Ahhh!!

  26. Jessy Ryle says:

    A friend of mine works in Shaek Shack Lebanon and said that they know it

  27. Dabalaya says:

    Original burgers mixing great visual, photoshop, and great taste :) All about the eyes and the mouse

  28. Victor says:

    You know how I know this recipe is awesome? It calls for a cast iron skillet. Boom. Could your pictures look anymore delicious? Looks like a Carl’s Jr. commercial, only, I expect this burger will actually be as good as it looks (no offense Carl’s Jr., you’re still yummy).

  29. Maria says:

    American cheese is disgusting. It is so processed it shouldn’t even be called cheese. I didn’t expect you to be using it since you seem to understand good quality products.

  30. Beautifully written and photographed, as always. You do such great posts! Thanks for everything!

  31. Vernan Douglas says:

    As a former employee of Shake Shack, I must say, that once I stumbled upon this recipe, I knew it was A1 before I even made it. I made it tonight for my kids and fiance, and they DESTROYED it. Thank you for this. It is greatly appreciated.

  32. Cilian says:

    5 stars
    Mmm this is a tasty burger… shake shack does have it shakin’. I do have to say the best burger I’ve ever eaten was the classic bacon and cheese from a little place called Big Bala’s Burger Bar. He starts off with a whole third pound pattie requiring a full 4 minutes grilling time both sides. It’s layered with four crispy smokey bacon rashers, two slices of American cheese and a leaf of crisp lettuce. I personally add tomato ketchup and mustard condiments, all sandwiched between a soft white bun. I could’ve eaten those thing’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner… some days I did.

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