Au Cheval Burger

Many people (critics and otherwise) describe the Au Cheval Burger as the best hamburger in the US. In our opinion if you’re the best burger in the US, the home of burgers, you’ve got yourself the best burger in the world. Au Cheval is a restaurant in NYC and Chicago that is famed for their amazing burgers. In this recipe we aim to recreate this famous burger and show you how to easily make it at home yourself. You can be the judge, is this the best burger you’ve ever eaten?

What are the ingredients in the famous Au Cheval Burger?

What makes this burger so unique is the hallmark strips of thick-cut bacon that lay atop the double patty of Smash Burgers. The strips of Bacon are huge and carry a beautiful sweet and caramelized flavor that binds the whole burger together. Topped with some freshly cracked Pepper, it’s what makes the Au Cheval Burger truly unique

In addition to the Bacon there is, of course, the Burgers. Two perfectly cooked Smash Burgers with melty American Cheddar Cheese rest perfectly on one side of the Brioche Bun. The Burger is presented in a way that each of the buns holds about half the ingredients, and is presented as an ‘open burger’, on the plate

On the second bun sits a perfectly fried sunny side up Egg that’s topped with a more than generous sprinkling of freshly cut Chives. Under the egg sits some Pickles, diced Red Onion and a Dijonnaise. The whole Burger comes together beautifully with the combination of flavors pairing perfectly in this delicious burger

How to make the famous Au Cheval Burger

There are several components to this burger that are best prepared in advance of cooking the actual Burgers. In fact, the Smash Burger cooking should be the last thing you cook, so it can be plated onto the Buns while hot

The first step in our Au Cheval Burger Recipe is making that beautiful caramelized thick-cut Bacon. It’ll be difficult to find anything suitable at the store (you may get lucky however) so we’ll be making this ourselves. Start by getting a small piece of Pork Belly from the store. Avoid those massive cuts, aim for one that’s got the length of a typical Burger

Then, slice the Pork Belly into bacon strips about ¼ inch thick. Cut them thicker than you typically would think about cutting Bacon, as the Bacon is ridiculously thick on this Burger. Once cut, slice off the skin / rind and then place the pieces of Bacon on a wire rack over a sheet pan lined with foil

Caramelizing the Bacon

We tried two different versions of Bacon for our Au Cheval Burger Recipe. We brushed half of the pieces generously with Honey, and the other half was coated with Brown Sugar. It was interesting to observe the results

The Bacon is roasted in the oven at 375F until caramelized and turning a rich darkish brown color. Interestingly the Honey brushed Bacon took a lot less time to achieve this color than the Bacon (about 10 minutes compared to about 25 minutes for the Sugar)

I assume this is because the Honey has already melted and immediately begins to caramelize, where as the Sugar needs time to melt and dissolve into the Bacon before it begins the caramelization process. Taste wise they were both very similar, but I’d give a slight edge to the Brown Sugar, mainly because the longer cooking time meant a more tender piece of Bacon

Once you’re Bacon is done you can set it aside and prepare the other ingredients. Simply dice up some Red Onions and make a Dijonnaise by combining equal parts Mayo with Dijon Mustard and mix well. Slice up some Pickles and you’re ready to make the Smash Burgers!

Cooking the Smash Burgers

It doesn’t matter what accompaniments go into a Burger, the quality of it is 100% based on how good the Ground Beef is that you’re using. I’m sure Au Cheval use absolute top-quality Beef, so if you can, shed a few extra bucks and get the best quality Ground Beef you can get (Wagyu if possible!)

Aim for at least 80/20, but preferably 70/30 Beef. This means there is 70% Beef to 30% fat content in the meat. A higher fat percentage means a tastier Burger!

Form the Burgers into balls about 3 – 4 oz. large and then heat a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Once smoking hot, place the Burgers onto the pan. Before smashing them, allow one side to cook for about 10 seconds then turn them over and then smash them flat using a spatula or any other flat surface

Searing one side then flipping them before smashing is a little trick that prevents the Beef from sticking to the spatula when it’s smashed. It saves a world of hassle from having to scrape the meat off the spatula!

Season well then cook for 3 minutes, or until the underside is thoroughly charred then flip them over. Season again then lay a piece of American Cheese on top and cook for a further 2 – 3 minutes and they’re done. Stack them on top of each other and place them on top of the topside of the Bun on a plate

Plating and serving

I like to plate both buns separately before putting them on a serving plate. This will prevent anything from spilling, so you can have the cleanest looking plate for serving. After all, we’re replicating a famous Burger here so presentation counts!

Place the top and bottom buns upside down so you can stack ingredients into them. On the top bun we place the two stacked Smash Burgers and Cheese, then top with two strips of thick-cut caramelized Bacon. Finish the Bacon with a generous seasoning of freshly cracked Black Pepper

On the bottom bun, start with a generous slathering of Dijonnaise, then add Red Onions and Pickles. Top with a perfectly cooked Fried Egg then garnish with finely diced Chives. The dish is now done! Serve each of the buns open face on the plate so people can push them together and enjoy this amazing homemade Au Cheval Burger

Au Cheval Burger Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ lb. Pork Belly
• 2 ½ tbsp. Brown Sugar
• ¼ Red Onion, finely diced
• 8 Bread and Butter Pickle slices
• ½ lb. Good Quality Ground Beef (70/30 Beef / Fat Ratio)
• 4 slices of American Cheddar Cheese
• 1 tbsp. Neutral Frying Oil
• 2 tbsp. Mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tsp. Chives, finely chopped
• Salt and Pepper
  
  

Instructions

1. Slice the Pork Belly into strips about ¼ inch thick. Remove the skin / rind then place on a wire rack set over a sheet pan lined with Foil
2. Coat the pieces of Pork well with Brown Sugar, ensuring full coverage then roast in the oven at 375F for 20 – 25 minutes, or until the Pork caramelized and turns a rich dark-brown color. Remove and set aside
3. While the Pork is cooking, prepare the Dijonnaise by combining Mustard and Mayonnaise in a bowl and then set aside
4. Fry two Eggs by adding a little Oil to a frying pan set over medium heat. Fry Eggs until cooked through then set aside
5. Form your Ground Beef into equal sized 3 – 4 oz. balls (somewhere between the size of a Golf Ball and a Tennis Ball) then bring a large frying pan to heat over medium high with some Oil
6. Place the beef onto the pan, allow it to sear for 10 seconds then turn over. Press down to ‘smash’ the Beef using a spatula or other flat surface. Season well with Salt and Pepper and cook for 3 minutes
7. Once the underside is charred well, flip over and season again. Place a slice of Cheese on top of each Burger and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Stack two patties on top of each other to form two double patties
   
   

Plating

8. Place your Brioche Buns cut side facing up on a chopping board. On the topside, place the double-patties then top with two strips of Bacon. Season the Bacon well with Cracked Pepper
9. On the bottom side, generously apply Dijonnaise then add Red Onions and Pickles. Top with a Fried Egg and finish with Chives. Transfer to serving plates and enjoy
   
   

Recipe Notes

• Searing the Burger slightly before flipping and smashing them will help avoid the meat sticking to your spatula
• You can enjoy this Burger by itself, or with a pile of French Fries
  
  

You be the judge. Is this version of an Au Cheval Burger the best tasting Burger you’ve ever eaten in your life? Well, in our opinion it comes close. Other than those amazing Smash Burgers, the star of this burger is the thick-cut caramelized Bacon. It’s so good! Whip up a big batch and just enjoy it on its own

For more amazing Burger recipes just like this, check out these great dishes:

• Green Chili Burger
• Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger
• French Onion Burger
• Authentic Juicy Lucy Burger
  
  

Happy Cooking!