Oklahoma-Style S'mack Burgers with Ranch-Flavored Tater Tots

Oklahoma-Style S'mack Burgers with Ranch-Flavored Tater Tots

Yield: 4 servings From Episode 40

Thin-shaved onions smashed into juicy smash burgers with American cheese and a fast-food-style special sauce, served with crispy ranch-seasoned tater tots.

Special Sauce

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons relish
  • About 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Burgers

  • 1 large or 2 medium onions (Vidalia or yellow)
  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • Kosher salt and coarse black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola or peanut oil
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 4 large soft rolls
  • Sliced dill pickles
  • Chopped iceberg lettuce

Ranch-Flavored Tater Tots

  • 1/2 cup powdered buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon dried chives
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large bag extra-crispy tater tots

Steps

  1. Combine the sour cream, ketchup, relish, and Worcestershire in a small bowl for the special sauce.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
  3. Peel the onions and shave them as thin as possible with a mandoline or box grater.
  4. Season the beef with salt and pepper and divide into 4 portions; roll into loose balls.
  5. Drizzle oil in the pan. Place the meat balls with space between them, top each with a quarter of the onions, and smash into thin patties so the onions bond into the meat.
  6. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, flip, and cook about 2 minutes more. Add 2 slices of cheese per burger and cook until melted. Place on bun bottoms.
  7. Serve with special sauce, pickles, lettuce, and bun tops.
  8. For the tots: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Whisk the ranch seasoning spices together. Bake the tots until very crisp, about 25 minutes, then toss with ranch seasoning to taste.