Recipe: The Heart and Seoul of Korea Burgers

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Congratulations to Harrison Wheeler, an attorney from Boynton Beach, Florida, who’s one of five finalists in our 2014 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest.

 

Here’s the inspiration behind his burger recipe, The Heart and Seoul of Korea Burgers with Peanut Basil Slaw and Gochujang Mayo:

 

 

 

2 cups shredded Napa cabbage

1/4 cup chopped Thai basil

1/4 cup minced roasted red pepper

1/2 cup candied peanuts, chopped

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

 

1/3 cup gochujang

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 cup mayonnaise

 

8 ounces spam, cut into thin, 1-inch long matchsticks

 

2 pounds ground beef (75% to 80% lean)

1/4 cup minced green onions

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon Morton’s kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack

6 King’s Hawaiian Original Hamburger Buns

6 leaves red leaf lettuce

1 1/2 cups chopped plain rice cakes (roughly 1-inch pieces)

 

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

 

To make the peanut basil slaw, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Drain before serving.

 

To make gochujang mayo, combine all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

 

To make the crispy spam, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spam and cook for 5 minutes or until crispy, stirring occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

 

To make the patties, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the buns.

 

Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, just until done, about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to lightly toast.

 

To assemble the burgers, spread a layer of gochujang mayo on the cut sides of each bun. On each bun bottom, place a leaf of red leaf lettuce, some crispy Spam, a few pieces of rice cake, a patty and an equal amount of peanut basil slaw. Add the bun tops and serve.