Ther Great Milwaukee Brat Burger

Ingredients

For Burger:
2.25 pounds of lean ground beef
12 ounces fresh bratwurst (regular flavor, meat removed from its casing) (Usinger or Johnsonville brands preferred)
1 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground pepper (approximately 4 cranks of mill)
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1large egg

For Thousand Island Dressing:
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
3/4 cup prepared mayonnaise
1/4 cup bottled chili sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
4 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
Freshly ground black pepper (approximately 4 cranks of mill)

For Toppings:
1 large red onion (sliced in approximately 1/4 inch rings)
6 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
1 bag of sauerkraut (found in refrigerated section of grocery store), room temperature

For Buns:
6 Kaiser Rolls, sliced in half
1 clove garlic (peeled) for rubbing

Instructions

Pre-heat gas grill to 600 degrees. While grill is heating, prepare the following.

For Thousand Island Dressing:
Make a garlic paste by combining garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and crushing them with the back of a fork on a flat surface until mixture resembles rough paste. In a medium mixing bowl, combine garlic paste, mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, relish. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside if using promptly or refrigerate until ready to use.

For toppings:
Slice red onion.
Place cheese slices to the side.
Bring sauerkraut to room temperature.

Place beef and bratwurst in a large mixing bowl. Add red pepper, salt, garlic powder, pepper and egg. Using your hands, combine ingredients until well incorporated. Do not overwork meat. Gently form mixture into 6 – 1/2 pound patties, making sure the patties are of even thickness at the center and edges.

Place prepared patties on preheated grill. For medium burgers, cook burgers on high heat for 4-5 minutes. Turn heat to medium (approximately 350 degrees) and flip burgers. Burgers should release from grill grate with ease. Finish cooking burgers for another 5 -7 minutes.

While the burgers finish cooking, grill buns until lightly toasted. Remove buns from grill and rub each grilled side with garlic clove. During the last 45 seconds of grilling, placed one slice of cheese over each burger and melt.

Remove burgers from grill and let rest for approximately 1-2 two minutes. Meanwhile, slather both ends of each bun with the Thousand Island Dressing mixture. Place burger on bottom bun and top with 1-2 slices of red onion and sauerkraut to taste. Set other half of bun on top and enjoy!