Down Home Chili Cheeseburger

Akronite2025

NGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, preferably 80% lean
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
1 teaspoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning or other Creole Seasoning (Below)
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, cut into 8 slices
4 hamburger buns
Down Home Chili (Below)
DIRECTIONS

Form the ground beef into 8 patties about 1/3 inch thick. Preheat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the griddle. Season the onion slices with 1/4 teaspoon each of the Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the onions to the griddle and cook, stirring until lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
Lightly season the patties on both sides with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon Creole seasoning, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the Worcestershire. Push the onions off to one side, then place the patties on the hot griddle and cook for 3 to 4 minutes for medium, turning once halfway through. Flip the patties again, add 1 slice of cheese to the top of each, and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese is melted. Place the hamburger buns, cut sides down, on the griddle, and cook until warmed through and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
For each burger, place one toasted bun on a serving plate. Place one patty on the bottom half of the bun, spoon chili on top of the patty, and top with a second patty and more chili. Place a portion of the onions on the chili, and finish off with the top of the bun. Serve immediately.
Essentials:

It drives me crazy when I see folks flip their burgers, then press down on them with a spatula -- leave them alone! All you're doing is squeezing out the juices. Even before your burger hits the grill, try to handle the ground beef as little as possible when you're forming it into patties -- if you overwork the meat, you'll end up with a tough burger.


Emeril's Creole Seasoning
INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons sweet paprika
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried thyme
DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.


Down Home Chili

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning or other Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably 80% lean
1 (14.5-ounce) can peeled whole tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
2 cups beef stock or low-sodium beef broth

DIRECTIONS

In a heavy-bottomed 6-quart pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, until the onions are softened, about 4 minutes. Add the beef and cook, stirring, until the meat is brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes, breaking up any clumps. Spoon off and discard the rendered fat.
Crush the tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pot along with their juices. Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, and stock; stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 50 to 55 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.