Thai Burgers with Pickled Slaw

Thai flavors give a tasty boost to just about anything—including simple pan-grilled hamburgers. Here, the meat is mixed with common Thai ingredients to highlight the flavors—and juiciness—from the inside out. Pickled vegetables top off the burgers with a little spice and tanginess of their own. No other condiments needed!

Serves 2

Ingredients

For the Slaw

• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp finely chopped, peeled ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1-1/2-inch piece of seedless cucumber, very thinly sliced
• 1 large radish, very thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and shaved into thin ribbons

Prepared Vegetables

For the Burgers

• 2/3 lb ground sirloin
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp chile-garlic sauce
• 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• 2 tsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tsp white sugar
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• peanut oil, for brushing
• 2 kaiser rolls

Preparation

For the Slaw

1. Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger, and pepper flakes in a medium bowl, stirring well to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the cucumber, radish, and carrot and press into the liquid. Cover and chill at least 2 hours (may be chilled overnight). Drain well before serving.

Pickling Mixture 

Pickled Vegetables 

Drain Well

For the Burgers

1. Combine the ground sirloin and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper. (There’s ample sodium in the fish sauce.)
2. Form the mixture into 2 patties, making a slight indent with your thumb in the middle of each. (This helps keep the patties from puffing up too much as they cook.)
3. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with peanut oil.
4. Grill the burgers until just cooked through and juicy inside, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate or board and let rest 3 minutes.

Ready to Mix 

Burger Patties

Burgers Beginning to Grill

Grilled Burgers

Let the Burgers Rest

Place the burgers on the bottoms of the toasted rolls and top with (drained) pickled slaw. Close the sandwiches and serve.

Thai Burgers with Pickled Slaw