Grain-Fed Quarter-Pound Burgers

Instructions

1. • 1 pound grain-fed boneless beef chuck-eye roast, trimmed and cut into ½-inch chunks
   Place beef on baking sheet in single layer. Freeze beef until very firm and hard around edges but still slightly pliable, 1 to 2 hours. 
2. • 1 onion, chopped fine 
   • Kosher salt 
   • ⅓ cup mayonnaise 
   • ¼ cup ketchup 
   • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
   Meanwhile, stir together onion and 1 tablespoon salt; let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse onion in fine-mesh strainer; let onion drain in strainer while preparing toppings and beef. Whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until smooth; set aside.
3. Pulse half of beef in food processor until finely ground into 1/16-inch pieces, about 35 one-second pulses, stopping to redistribute beef around bowl as necessary to ensure even grinding. Transfer beef to second baking sheet. Repeat with remaining beef. Spread beef over sheet and inspect carefully, discarding any long strands of gristle or large chunks of hard meat or fat. 
4. • 4 hamburger buns, buttered and toasted 
   • 4 thin slices beefsteak tomato 
   • Dill pickle chips
   Dress bun bottoms with mayonnaise mixture, drained onion, tomato, and pickle chips to taste. 
5. • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
   • Kosher salt and pepper
   • 4 slices American cheese
   Wrap bottom of 12-inch skillet with aluminum foil; set aside. Divide beef into 4 lightly packed balls. Gently flatten into 3-inch patties. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in second (12-inch) skillet over high heat until just smoking. Transfer 2 patties to skillet. Using foil-wrapped skillet, gently press patties into 4-inch burgers. Season tops of burgers liberally with salt and pepper. Cook burgers, without moving them, until well browned, 60 to 80 seconds. Using metal spatula, flip burgers. Season second side liberally with salt and pepper. Top each burger with 1 slice cheese; cover and cook for 30 seconds. Transfer burgers to prepared buns. Wipe skillet clean with paper towels, add remaining 1 teaspoon oil, and return to high heat for 30 seconds. Repeat cooking with remaining 2 patties and remaining 2 slices cheese. Serve.