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Grass-Fed Burgers with Chipotle Barbecue Sauce





Total Time
35 mins

Time 35 minutes. You’ll have plenty of the spicy, tangy sauce left over. Have it with grilled chicken or ribs.

Grass-fed Burgers with Chipotle Barbecue Sauce




Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Randy Mon
  Sauce
 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
 1/2 cup ketchup
 2 tablespoons canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (about 3 chiles), plus 1 tbsp. sauce
 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
 2 tablespoons molasses
 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  Burgers
 1 1/4 pounds grass-fed ground beef
 2 teaspoons each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, divided
 1 red onion, sliced 1/4 to 1/2 in. thick crosswise
 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
 4 slices Swiss cheese
 4 sesame hamburger buns
 4 slices ripe tomato
 4 leaves butter or romaine lettuce
Step 1
1

Make sauce: Purée all sauce ingredients in a food processor until very smooth.

Step 2
2

Make burgers: In a bowl, combine beef and 1 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper (if using preformed burgers, sprinkle with salt and pepper). Form into 4 patties about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in each to help keep burgers flat as they cook. Put on a plate, cover, and chill until ready to grill.

Step 3
3

Preheat a grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds).

Step 4
4

Sprinkle onions with remaining salt and pepper and 1 tsp. oil. Grill, covered, until softened, turning once, 8 minutes total.

Step 5
5

Meanwhile, rub burgers with 2 tsp. oil and grill, covered, turning once, about 6 minutes total for medium-rare. In the last few moments of cooking, lay a slice of cheese on each burger. Lay bun halves, cut side down, on grill to toast slightly.

Step 6
6

Transfer buns to a platter and fill with burgers and onions. Spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp. barbecue sauce on top and add a slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf.

Step 7
7

Make ahead: Sauce: 1 week chilled.

Step 8
8

Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger, with 1 1/2 tbsp. sauce and trimmings.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 612Calories from Fat 50
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 34g53%

Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 112mg38%
Sodium 1175mg49%
Total Carbohydrate 41g14%

Dietary Fiber 2.3g10%
Protein 36g72%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.