Best Cheeseburger

Ingredients

• Pickles
• 1 pound (2 medium) English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 sprigs fresh dill
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled, lightly smashed
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Sauce
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon pickle juice
• 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
• Cheeseburgers
• 4 soft hamburger buns, split
• 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter with Canola Oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 (3/4-ounce) slices Land O Lakes® White Deli American

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine cucumbers, dill, garlic, mustard seeds and peppercorns in 1-quart mason jar. Set aside.

2. 2

   Combine vinegar, water, 1 tablespoon salt and sugar in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just until sugar and salt dissolve. Carefully pour mixture over cucumbers, covering completely but leaving 1/4-inch gap between top of jar and liquid. Seal jar; gently shake a few times to combine. Let jar cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 12 hours.

3. 3

   Combine all sauce ingredients in small bowl. Cover; refrigerate until serving.

4. 4

   Heat broiler to high.

5. 5

   Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with Butter with Canola Oil. Place onto baking sheet, buttered-side up. Broil 1 minute or until buns are lightly toasted. Set aside.

6. 6

   Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions. Shape into 2-inch patties, each about 2 inches thick. (Do not overwork meat.) Sprinkle tops with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Place onto parchment-lined platter. Refrigerate until cooking time.

7. 7

   Brush 12-inch stainless steel or cast iron skillet with vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat until oil is almost smoking. Working with 1 patty at a time, place in hot skillet, seasoned-side down. Firmly smash down using heavy weight spatula. (Use second spatula to push down for more leverage.) Flatten patty to about 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with other patties. Season patties with remaining salt and pepper.

8. 8

   Cook burgers, without moving them, 90 seconds. Using spatula, flip burgers, making sure to scrape bottom of pan to include bottom crust. Cook 30 more seconds. Top each burger with 1 slice cheese; continue cooking 90 seconds or until internal temperature reaches 160°F or desired doneness. Place burgers onto toasted buns; top with sauce and pickles. Serve immediately.