Barbecue Bourbon Burgers

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
• 3 tbsp barbecue sauce
• 1 tbsp adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
• pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp bourbon
• 1 lb 85% lean ground chuck
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• Kale micro greens or lettuce, for serving
• 4 brioche buns

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1for the barbecue ketchup:In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, barbecue sauce, and adobo sauce until mixed. Set asidefor the bourbon caramelized onions:Heat a large pot over low heat and the butter and onion. Add the salt and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to become golden. Stir in the bourbon and cook until there is no liquid left and the onion darkens in color. This process will take about 30 to 40 minutes.for the burgers:In a bowl, combine the beef with the salt, pepper, garlic, cheddar, and barbecue sauce. Gently mix with your hands a few times until the ingredients are evenly spread throughout the beef. Form the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.You can grill these burgers, but I also love to cook mine in a buttery skillet. To do so, heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, place the patties in the skillet. Cook until a thermometer inserted in the center of a burger registers 160 degrees and the meat is no longer pink. About 1 to 2 minutes before the burger is finished, place a slice of cheese on top and cover the skillet with a lid. Let the cheese melt until the point when it’s about to drip down the burger.Assemble by placing the caramelized onions on the bottom half of the bun with a few greens or lettuce. Top with the burger and remaining top bun. Serve with the barbecue ketchup!