THE ULTIMATE BURGER - BISON & LAMB

Making the Ultimate Burger is what everyone wants... This Bison & Lamb burger will absolutely knock your socks off! It's super Juicy with incredible flavors and the homemade Thousand Island Dressing kicks it up a notch! This will be your new go to burger...

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground bison 
1 lb ground lamb
Kosher Salt
Pepper

Toppings
Heirloom tomato
Dill pickles
Bacon, 10 slices
Red onion
Butter lettuce
Pepper jack cheese, sliced
Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Brioche buns
Thousand Island dressing, to taste

Thousand Island Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp sweet pickle relish
1 tsp shallot, finely minced
⅛ tsp sea salt
Cracked black pepper, to taste 

Tools 
Large bowl 
Grill 
Instant read meat thermometer
Cutting board 
Knife

DIRECTIONS:

1. Start by making the dressing: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and place in your refrigerator for a few hours so the sugar dissolves and all the flavors blend.
2. Preheat grill to 400°F... get it hot! Place your skillet (for the onions) on the grill so it gets hot too.
3. Slice the red onion into thin slices. 
4. Cut 2 pieces of bacon and place them in a hot skillet on the grill. Let them cook for a couple minutes, then add the onions. Cooked them until they are soft and caramelized. When done set aside in a bowl to build your burger later.
5. Add the other 8 slices of bacon on the grill at the same time you are sautéing your onions. Don't over cook your bacon, you want them to have a little floppiness to them. Set them aside for your build later.
6. In a bowl mix the bison and lamb together slowly... you don't want to over mix it. Just make sure it's blended nicely.
7. Form into 1/2 lb patties and sprinkle a generous amount of kosher salt and cracked pepper on both sides.
8. Place your burger on the hot grill 400- 450°F and let them cook... don't over flip your burger! Set it on one side for about 5-7 minutes then flip it over. Let it sit for another 5-7 minutes and it should be done. Add cheese so it melts.
9. Highly recommend using an instant probe thermometer to get it to the perfect temperature! 125°F is medium rare (recommended), 135°F is medium, 145°F well done.
10. Take your bottom bun and add some Thousand Island Dressing to it.
11. Add the lettuce then the tomato (sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the tomato).
12. Add your burger on top of the tomato. Then add your bacon, onion and pickles.
13. Add Thousand Island Dressing to the top of your bun and place it on top of your Ultimate Burger!

Tip: To get your Lettuce and Tomato crispy and cold... add them both into an Ice Bath for several minutes. Make sure to dry them off before placing on your burger.