Korean BBQ Burgers

Korean Slaw

• ½ cup mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise (I like Sir Kensington’s Fabanaise)

• 1 tbsp. gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)

• 1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil

• 1 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger

• 1 tsp. sugar or honey

• 1 clove garlic, grated

• 2 cups shredded savoy, green, or red cabbage

• 1 cup store-bought kimchi, thinly sliced, plus a splash of the brine

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Pickled Onions

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 tsp. sugar

• ½ tsp. salt

• 1 red onion, very thinly sliced

Korean BBQ Sauce

• 1 ½ tsp. canola or vegetable oil

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• ½ cup (packed) brown sugar

• ½ cup soy sauce

• About 3 tbsp. rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp. cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tbsp. warm water

• 1 tbsp. honey

• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

• 1 to 2 tbsp. gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)

Burgers

• 1 ½ lb. 80% lean ground beef

• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp. soy sauce

• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

• Black pepper

• 1 tbsp. canola or vegetable oil

• 4 brioche burger buns or other soft burger buns

• Toasted sesame seeds, for serving

• Step 1

  For the slaw, in a medium bowl, whisk the mayo, gochujang, oil, ginger, sugar, and garlic. Mix in the cabbage, kimchi and brine, and scallions. Cover and chill.

• Step 2

  For the pickled onions, in a small saucepan, heat the vinegar, sugar, and salt over medium, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 2 minutes. Mix in the onion. Remove from heat. Let stand until cool, then drain.

• Step 3

  For the sauce, in a medium skillet, heat the canola oil, a half turn of the pan, over medium. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, honey, and sesame oil. Cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the gochujang. Reduce heat to low and keep the sauce warm.

• Step 4

  Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high.

• Step 5

  For the burgers, in a medium bowl, mix the beef, garlic, ginger, Worcestershire, soy sauce, and sesame oil; season with black pepper. Form 4 patties (thinner in the centers for even cooking).

• Step 6

  Drizzle the patties with the canola oil. Cook, turning occasionally, to desired doneness, 7 to 8 minutes for medium.

• Step 7

  Arrange some pickled onions on the bun bottoms. Coat the burgers with the BBQ sauce and set on the buns. Top with sesame seeds, the slaw, and the bun tops.