Sunnys Smokehouse Burger Recipes

Steps:

• For the rolls: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Scoop a bit of bread out of each roll top to create a well, discarding the scooped bread. Brush the insides, top and bottom, with the melted butter. Close the rolls and wrap individually or together in aluminum foil, then place directly on the oven rack to warm while preparing the burgers, no longer than 20 minutes.
• For the burgers: Add the ground chuck, bacon, paprika, salt and a few grinds of pepper to a large bowl. Gently mix with your non-dominant hand, using your fingers like a pitchfork so you don't squish the meat. Mound the mixture into a ball and divide in half, then divide each half in half again to make 4 even portions.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to a griddle pan over high heat. Gently roll each portion of meat into a ball and place on the pan. Using the back of a plate, a flat lid or a spatula (with no holes), press each ball into a flat patty, slightly larger than the rolls. Cook the patties until they easily release from the griddle, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, then top each with a slice of cheese and continue to cook until the patties are cooked through and the cheese is melted, another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the jalapeño to the griddle and char on all sides, then remove and finely chop, removing the seeds if you would like less heat.
• Build the burgers: Whisk the hot sauce and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Remove the rolls from the oven and unwrap. Put a patty on each roll, then drizzle each with the maple hot sauce. Top each with some jalapeño followed by a fried egg and more hot sauce as desired.

Steps:

• Place the patties on a tray in one layer. Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and onion powders and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of the patties and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Add the patties to the grill and cook to desired doneness, flipping once.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cheese sauce and sriracha seasoning in a small saucepot. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fully combined and hot.
• Lay down some lettuce leaves on the bottom buns, then top with the patties, onion slices, fried jalapenos and finally the cheese sauce. Top with the top buns and serve.

Steps:

• For the patties: In a large bowl, gently mix the brisket, salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Make into 4 equal-sized patties.
• For the layers: In a cast-iron pan on medium heat, add the butter and then the red onions in 4 piles. Immediately place a patty on each mound of onions and gently press to settle. Cook until the onions char a bit, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip each burger, keeping the onions with them so that they now rest on top. Cover and cook until desired doneness. Transfer the patties to a plate and immediately top with the American cheese first, then the pepper Jack. Cover with aluminum to allow the cheeses to melt.
• For the buns: Wipe out the pan and keep it on medium heat. Butter the outsides of the buns, then place them buttered-side down on the pan and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Place a patty on each bottom bun and top with pickles, lettuce, a squirt of mustard and the top bun.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the pork, parsley, salt, garlic, 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce and some pepper. Gently mix, then separate into 4 balls and rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
• In a shallow dish, add the pineapple rings in one layer, then on each ring, add 4 slices of onion. Brush the tops with the remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce. Pour beer in the side of the dish up to the level of the pineapple. Rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Heat an outdoor grill to medium high for direct and indirect heat (to cook on a griddle, see Cook's Note). Press the burgers into patties slightly larger than the buns. Place the burgers over the direct heat and cook on one side for 6 to 8 minutes. Flip to the indirect heat side of the grill and cook until the internal temperature reads 155 degrees F. Remove from the grill and lightly tent the burgers with loose-fitting aluminum foil for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shake the excess marinade off the pineapples and onions. Grill the pineapple rings on one side until charred and easily released to be flipped; grill on the other side until grill marked. Using a grill pan, cook the onions until tender and charred, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Brush the outside of the buns with the butter and place them on the grill buttered-side down. Grill until toasted but still shiny, 1 to 2 minutes. Build each burger starting with a bottom bun, a patty, a pineapple ring, some onions, a handful of plantain chips and a top bun.

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Divide ground burger mixture into 4 equal segments and form them into thick patties. Refrigerate on a plate for 1 hour, then remove to and allow to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes before cooking.
• In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, mayonnaise and lemon juice and salt, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Warm a grill pan over high heat. Lightly brush the top of each burger with vegetable oil, then arrange on the grill, oiled side down. Sear until the burgers release easily from the grill and are brown, about 5 minutes. Brush with a bit more vegetable oil, flip and cook until the center slightly springs back, indicating a medium-rare center, another 5 minutes. While the burgers are finishing, brush both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil then put on the grill and cook until toasted, about 1 minute, then flip and toast the other side. Transfer 1 slice to each serving plate and spread with the garlic spread. Top each slice with a burger and while they are resting make the eggs to top each burger. In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat, crack an egg in the center, cover and cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 5 minutes. Slide the egg on top of the of the burger, season with a bit of salt and pepper, then finish with a few shakes of hot sauce. Repeat with the remaining butter and eggs and serve.

Steps:

• For the patty. In a large bowl, add the beef and gently break it up so it isn't in one big lump. High over the top, sprinkle the salt, cumin and a few nice grinds of black pepper. With your less dominant hand, make a claw or pitchfork and fold the beef over itself while turning the bowl with your other hand. The goal is to blend but not over-mix the beef. Divide into 4 equal parts and make into balls. Cover and let them rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• For the glaze. In a medium bowl, add the jelly, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, scallions and jalapeno. Stir to combine.
• To grill and glaze. Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Press or form each ball of beef into a patty slightly larger than the circumference of the buns. Place over the direct heat of the grill and cook until they release, about 4 minutes. Flip the burgers, move to the indirect heat of the grill and immediately top each with a nice spoonful of the glaze. Continue to cook until desired doneness.
• For serving: To build the burgers, start on the bottom buns and build up. Place the cheese, grilled and glazed patty, a spritz of lime and a handful of chips on each. Smear equal amounts of avocado on the inside of each top bun. Top the burgers and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high; wait until grill reaches 400 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the patties on both sides with the salt and pepper. (We suggest aggressively, as most will sweat off the patties during cooking.)
• Cook the patties for 5 minutes, then flip.
• Place Pork Belly on grill. Brush the butter on the brioche buns and place on grill. Toast until it reaches the desired color (we like it a little darker for more of a char taste).
• Flip pork belly after 2 minutes, then place Cheddar on the patties to melt.
• Remove brioche buns from grill and spread Whiskey Aioli on all inside bun areas.
• Place patties on bun bottoms, then top with tomatoes and the bun tops. Let rest for 4 minutes, then devour.
• Preheat a smoker to 240 degrees F.
• Mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, brown sugar, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl until well combined, then reserve.
• Score the pork belly on the fat side with a sharp knife 1/2-inch apart, being careful to not cut into the meat. Turn the meat 90 degrees and repeat, forming a crosshatch pattern. Cut belly into five 3- to 4-inch-wide pieces.
• Rub all sides of the pork belly with the reserved rub.
• Place in smoker and cook for 3 hours. Remove from smoker and place in a pan to collect fat.
• Starting from cold, reduce whiskey by half in a saute pan over medium heat. (Be very careful, as it can catch fire. Do not attempt to blow out if this occurs. Remove from heat and cover with a metal lid to extinguish the fire.)
• Pour reduction in a bowl and place in refrigerator to cool, 10 minutes.
• Place mayonnaise, lime juice, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Add whiskey reduction to bowl and mix.
• Place aioli back into refrigerator until needed.