Great Lakes BBQ Steak Burger

“Midwesterners are known for their hearty appetites; they love big, beefy, juicy burgers prepared with great local ingredients such as Kentucky bourbon, Wisconsin cheese and beef from the western state of Montana. Summer is short but sweet in these states and we make the most of it, barbecuing just about every chance we get.What could be heartier and tastier than a great BBQ burger with Smoky Cheddar and zesty Bourbon BBQ sauce? Fire up the grill and let’s eat!”

Ingredients:

BBQ Bourbon Sauce

1 1/4 cups ketchup
3/4 cup Heinz 57 sauce
1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/8 cup cider vinegar
1/8 cup bourbon
1/4 cup brown sugar

Patties

1# ground sirloin
1# ground chuck
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon fresh thyme minced
1/4 cup red onion minced
2/3 cups BBQ Bourbon Sauce (reserve remaining sauce for basting and sauce lovers)

Vegetable oil for brushing grill rack

6 slices of smoked cheddar cheese

6 Kaiser rolls split
6 fresh Romaine lettuce leaves (optional)
6 fresh tomato slices (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high.

To make BBQ Bourbon Sauce combine ketchup, Heinz 57 sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, bourbon and brown sugar in medium sized bowl. Whisk to blend together well. Set aside.

To make patties, combine the ground sirloin, ground chuck, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, fresh thyme, red onion and 2/3 cup of the BBQ Bourbon Sauce. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide mixture into equal portions and form portions into patties slightly larger in diameter then the Kaiser rolls.

When grill is ready, brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place patties on rack, cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side, turn the patties over and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Uncover grill, top each burger with 1 tablespoon of the reserved BBQ Bourbon Sauce brush the sauce evenly on top of each burger. Top each burger with 1 slice of smoked cheddar cheese. Cover the grill and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes depending on desired doneness. During the last few minutes of cooking time place the Kaiser rolls cut side down on outer edges of grill rack to toast lightly.

To assemble the burgers, on each roll bottom, place a patty. Top burger with lettuce and tomato if desired. Add the bun tops and serve immediately.

Makes 6 burgers