The Louisiana BBQ Burger Nobody Outside Louisiana Knows About

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

Cajun seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: generic seasoning mix

Homemade blends can control sodium and flavor.

pepper jack cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Reduced-fat options cut calories, while cheddar is more affordable.

burger buns

🥗Healthier: whole grain buns

💰Cheaper: white bread

Whole grain adds fiber, while white bread is budget-friendly.

Take 12 oz of ground beef from a 1 lb package, set aside 4 oz for later use.

Make a panad by mixing 2 tbsp panko with 2 tbsp heavy cream (or substitute) until hydrated.

Add 1 tsp kosher salt, cayenne pepper to taste, and 1 tsp granulated garlic to the panad mixture.

Combine the panad with the ground beef and mix thoroughly, overworking the meat to achieve a dense texture.

Divide the meat mixture into patties, making them about half an inch to a full inch wider than the buns and very flat.

Chop 1 cup of onion and soak it in 1 cup of water.

In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup mustard, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp canola oil, 2 tbsp chili sauce, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp ground allspice, and 1/4 tsp granulated garlic.

Pour the soaked onions into a pan with the soaking water and bring to a boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes.

After simmering, add the onions and water to the sauce mixture and mix well.

Heat a heavy-bottom skillet to 350-375°F without adding any fat.

Cook the patties in the dry pan, flipping them after about 6 minutes when they release easily and show browning on the sides.

While the patties cook, toast the buns in the skillet, covering them to create steam.

Assemble the burgers with the cooked patties, plenty of sauce, and optional pickles, ensuring to dry the pickles with paper towels before adding.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens