Burger King Whopper
This recipe guides you in recreating the iconic Burger King Whopper, featuring a flame-broiled-style beef patty on a sesame seed bun. It's layered with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crisp onions, tangy pickles, and a classic combination of mayonnaise and ketchup for a satisfying, fast-food classic experience at home.
Equipment
- 1 Cast-iron skillet Ideal for achieving a good sear on the patty and toasting the bun.
- 1 Spatula For flipping the patty and bun.
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing fresh vegetables.
- 1 Chef's knife For slicing tomatoes and chopping lettuce.
- 2 Measuring Spoons For consistent application of condiments.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 bun hamburger, Sesame-seed
- 1/4 pound Ground beef
- 1 dash Salt
- 3 Dill pickle chips ; or slices
- 1 teaspoon Catsup
- 4 Onion rings
- 2 slices Tomato
- 1/4 cup lettuce ; Chopped
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Prepare all fresh ingredients: Wash and chop the lettuce, and slice the tomatoes.
- Form the 1/4 pound ground beef into a flat, round patty, slightly larger than the bun, as it will shrink when cooked. Season both sides generously with salt.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Place the seasoned patty in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness, or to your preferred doneness.
- While the patty cooks, lightly toast the cut sides of the sesame seed bun halves in the same skillet until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Assemble the burger: Spread mayonnaise evenly on the bottom half of the toasted bun.
- Layer the chopped lettuce and sliced tomatoes on top of the mayonnaise.
- Place the cooked beef patty directly onto the tomatoes.
- Arrange the dill pickle chips and onion rings over the beef patty.
- Spread catsup on the top half of the toasted bun, then place it onto the assembled ingredients to complete your homemade Whopper.
Notes
For the patty, a blend of 80/20 ground beef is ideal for juiciness. Season generously with salt just before cooking to prevent drying out the meat. Avoid overworking the beef when forming the patty to maintain tenderness. Toasting the sesame bun adds structural integrity and a pleasant crunch, preventing sogginess from the sauces; a dry skillet or a touch of butter works well. Layering is crucial for a balanced bite: apply mayonnaise to the bottom bun as a moisture barrier, then fresh produce. The patty goes next, followed by pickles, onion rings, and finally, ketchup on the top bun. For an authentic touch, consider grilling the onion rings briefly for added char and sweetness.