Prepare all the ingredients and tools: kitchen scale, cutting board, sharp knife, large bowl, cast iron or heavy metal skillet (best for searing), small baking tray, hand blender or food processor for the sauce. Measure out the meat, buns, and toppings. Take the meat out of the fridge about 10 minutes before shaping, so it’s not cold.
Description
A wholesome hamburger in a modern Polish interpretation — a juicy beef patty seared in a pan, crispy smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and warm sauerkraut for a contrast of acidity. The twist of this recipe is a homemade sauce made from roasted beetroot mixed with mayonnaise, adding a sweet-earthy note and a unique color. The dish has a well-balanced texture: a soft, slightly toasted bun, a meaty center, soft-sweet toppings, and sour pickles. It pairs perfectly with roasted potatoes, parsley fries, or pearl barley sautéed with onions; serve with dark beer, apple compote, or classic lemonade. The recipe includes traditional Polish ingredients (sauerkraut, bacon, beetroot), but in the form of a hamburger — perfect for a winter gathering at home.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (15)
- Hamburger bun 320 g
- Ground beef 500 g
- Butter 30 g
- Onion 1 szt. (~150 g)
- Sugar 10 g
- Smoked bacon 100 g
- Sauerkraut 150 g
- Pickled cucumber 1.2 szt. (~120 g)
- Beets (raw) 200 g
- Mayonnaise 60 g
- Rapeseed oil 15 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt (~4 g)
- Black pepper 4 szczypty (~2 g)
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Honey mustard 30 g
- Cheese 80 g
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Preparation steps
Ingredient Preparation
Beet sauce
Preheat the oven to 200°C (top-bottom). Wash the beetroot, wrap it in aluminum foil or place it on a baking tray and bake for 45-60 minutes until soft - you can check this by inserting a sharp knife: the knife should go in almost effortlessly. After baking, let it cool for 10 minutes, peel off the skin (it will come off easier after cooling) and cut into pieces. Place the baked beetroot and mayonnaise in a tall container and blend with an immersion blender until smooth, intensely pink sauce. Season with 1 pinch of salt (1g) and 1 pinch of pepper (1g). Taste and optionally season with a light teaspoon of pickled cucumber juice if you like.
Caramelized onion
Peel the onion and cut it into thin feathers. Heat a pan over medium heat, add 15 g of butter (half of the butter from the list) and 15 g of oil. Toss in the onion, sautéing and stirring every 1-2 minutes for 12-15 minutes until it is soft and golden-brown. Towards the end, add sugar (10 g) and sauté for another 1-2 minutes to caramelize the sugar and give the onion a sweet note. If the onion starts to burn, lower the heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of water to deglaze the burnt bits.
Bacon
In a second pan (or after removing the onion), place the bacon slices and fry over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, until the fat renders and the bacon is golden and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
Shaping the patties
Divide 500 g of meat into 4 equal parts of 125 g each. Form them into balls, then flatten them with your hand or palm into patties about 1.2-1.5 cm thick and slightly larger in diameter than a bun (the patty will shrink while frying). Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb — this will prevent it from puffing up while frying. Season each patty on both sides with salt (about 0.5 g per side, totaling ~2 g for all the patties) and freshly ground pepper.
Frying the cutlets
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 15 g of rapeseed oil (1 tablespoon). When the oil starts to shimmer slightly, place the chops in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side without moving them — a nicely browned crust should form. Flip the chops and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side for medium doneness (internal temperature about 65°C). If you prefer medium-well, cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. In the last minute, place slices of cheese on the chops (optional), cover the skillet with a lid or set aside for a moment to allow the cheese to melt gently.
Heating the cabbage and toasting the buns
In a small skillet, heat the sauerkraut for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until warm and slightly evaporated. Meanwhile, cut the rolls in half and spread the remaining butter (15 g) on the insides. Toast the rolls in a dry skillet or on a grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
Assembling the burger
On the bottom half of the bun, spread a tablespoon of beet sauce (about 15 g). Place the hot patty on top, then add 2-3 slices of bacon, followed by 1-2 tablespoons of caramelized onions, 2-3 slices of pickled cucumber, and 2-3 tablespoons of warmed sauerkraut. If you are using honey mustard, spread a thin layer on the top half of the bun. Cover with the top half of the bun and gently press down.
Serving
Serve the burger immediately after assembling, while the patty is still juicy and the cheese is slightly melted. Serve with a side of: roasted potatoes, parsley fries, or cabbage salad. You can place an extra portion of beetroot sauce on the plate for dipping.
Fun Fact
Although the hamburger is associated with American cuisine, various regions around the world have popular local adaptations — the use of sauerkraut and beetroot in a burger is an example of a Polish touch that combines tradition with fast food.
Best for
Tips
Serve with raw slices of red onion or greens for freshness. To maintain the crispiness of the bacon, place it on the cutlet just before serving. Beetroot sauce beautifully contrasts with yellow cheese — if using cheese, place it directly on the cutlet to let it melt slightly.
Store the patties and buns separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The beet sauce will develop in flavor, so it can be stored for up to 3 days in a sealed container. Reheating: heat the patties in a pan for 2-3 minutes on each side over medium heat; avoid the microwave as they become rubbery.
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