Savor the Ultimate Korean Burger Recipe

The Ultimate Korean Burger

The first time I attempted to make The Ultimate Korean Burger, it was a chilly Friday night, and I was hosting a small gathering for my closest friends. I was feeling ambitious and wanted to impress them with something special. I had already been pouring my heart into my restaurant, Ms. Yoo, and knew this burger was a crowd-pleaser. But as I mixed the gochujang into the mayonnaise, I realized I had underestimated the impact of the spice. The first batch was so fiery that it left my friends reaching for their drinks instead of going in for seconds! After a quick pep talk with myself, I adjusted the balance by adding a little extra mayo and a splash of lemon juice to mellow it out. What a difference that made! The next round was a hit, with my friends raving about the juicy beef and the creamy, tangy sauce that perfectly complemented the savory flavors. The combination of high-quality ground beef and that umami-packed marinade really does make The Ultimate Korean Burger a standout. Now, I can’t wait to share this recipe with you so you can recreate that magic at home. Here’s how to make it!

The Ultimate Korean Burger

Cook: 1 hrs | Total: 1 hrs | Serves: 6 burgers | Cuisine: asian

Ingredients

• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of gochujang
• 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of mirin
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely grated
• 2 pounds of premium ground beef (ideally 80/20)
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 6 brioche burger buns, halved
• Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill grates (optional)
• 6 square pieces of Cheddar cheese
• Kimchi Bacon Jam, recipe to follow
• 6 leaves of iceberg, butter, or romaine lettuce, optional
• 6 slices of tomato, optional
• 4 thick slices of bacon (approximately 6 ounces), cut into small pieces
• 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 cups of sliced kimchi
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste

Instructions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, gochujang, lemon juice, mirin, salt, and garlic. Mix well, cover, and chill until you're ready to use it.

Step 2

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the meat into 6 evenly-sized patties, slightly larger than your burger buns, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

Step 3

Spread about 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise on the top and bottom of each burger bun. Toast them in a skillet over medium heat until they're golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and clean the grates with a brush. Oil the grates, then grill the burgers, flipping them to add cheese until they reach your desired doneness.

Step 5

In a hot cast-iron skillet, cook the burger patties in batches, smashing them down. After 3 minutes, flip them, smash again, and add cheese. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until melted.

Nutrition Information

calories: 1121

fat: 87g

carbohydrate: 45g

protein: 38g

fiber: 4g

sugar: 19g

servingSize: 1 of 6 servings

Shop This Recipe

• Thick-Cut Slices Bacon About Finely Sliced Crosswise
• Iceberg Butter Romaine Lettuce Leaves Optional
• Kosher Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Pan
• Thermometer

My Tip

When shaping your burger patties, make a small indentation in the center with your thumb; this helps them cook evenly and prevents puffing up. , it makes a big difference for that perfect, juicy bite!

Leftovers

After enjoying your Ultimate Korean Burger, store any leftovers in a glass container with a tight lid in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to reheat, pop the burger in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes to keep that delicious crust crispy while warming it through.

Make It Your Own

For a tasty twist, try swapping the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey to lighten things up, and add a splash of soy sauce to the mayo mixture for an extra umami kick. You’ll still get that delicious Korean flair!

What I'd Do Differently

As I savored that first bite of my Korean burger, I couldn’t help but think about adding some pickled vegetables next time for an extra crunch. The combination of the spicy gochujang mayo and juicy beef was a hit, but a tangy bite of pickles might just elevate it even more. Cooking is all about experimenting, and I can't wait to see what I come up with next!