The BEST Butter Burger Recipe - VIDEO! (2024)

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These smashed butter burgers are a real treat, super juicy, and simplythe best dive burgers you could imagine. Try this recipe for Homemade Butter Burgers and you'll be hooked!

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Some weeks ago, we rented a car right before sunset and drove up to Milwaukee. We left Chicago with growling stomachs but I had my heart set on having a real Milwaukee smashed butter burger for dinner so we just drove on.

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We finally found “Kopp’s”, a joint that specializes in Milwaukee butter burgers and allegedly, the best frozen custard ever.

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Okay, I need to get the frozen custard talk out of the way because this is afterall a butter burger post. It’s just that the frozen custard alone is reason enough to drive all the way up to Milwaukee from Chicago. Every. single. weekend.

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But then again, I’ve been known to drive extremely long distances just for a piece of cake.

It was a really good piece of cake.

And really good tacos.

And really good everything else I've driven miles and miles for in order to satisfy that specific craving.

Now let me tell you---those butter burgers had my head spinning and I just didn’t get how they got that beef so incredibly moist and flavorful and delicious and heavenly and so sinfully buttery.

They weren’t thick, dense patties (which personally, I really hate and yep, I do realize I’m in the minority for that touchy topic but I’m just fine with that).

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To me, what makes a burger a great burger is a high surface area to middle-of-the-pattyratio. And so that means it’s got to be a thinner burger. Also, the other necessity is a good fatty burger that just melts in your mouth when you take a bite. And that’s where the wagyu beef comes in. The fat in wagyu beef does exactly that. It completely melts, seares, and leaves this very juicy and insanely tasty beef burger patty.

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Okay, it’s not like we’re eating this everyday, so when you’re in that one mood for a perfect burger, instead of always going out to get it made (which I totally get is sometimes half the fun), try making this butter burger for a change. You’ll know exactly what’s going into your body and you’ll treat it even more like… well, a treat!

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The way I enjoyed my Kopp’s burger is exactly how I tried to recreate it at home, toppings included. I top mine with caramelized onion and sometimes some chopped raw onion. I guess I’m just a big time sucker for onion! Maybe I’ll keep that one to myself in the future because it’s not at all a normal thing to be an “onion person” is it?

Oh, and I can’t forget the pickled jalapeños for some tang and spice.

And I have to say that I love some good ol’ fries and ketchup to go with my burger so click here for my favorite fry recipe.

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It may look like a normal dive burger to you but I promise, if you try this recipe you’ll realize it’s 100% about the flavor.

It’s really is a thing of unassuming beauty.I’m just about drooling writing about this burger, so it’s probably time start wrapping it up.

Oh! And on our drive back down from Milwaukee, I told Barry that all I wanted for my birthday was another drive up for a Kopp’s burger and frozen custard.

But at least I don’t have to wait for my birthday (or Valentine’s Day, which yep, was definitely that day we went to Kopp’s) to have a really good and juicy butter burger!

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Try my recipe for the BEST CHEESEBURGER EVER!

Try my recipe for Amazing and Easy Fries with Garlic Aoli Dip!

Try my recipe for The BEST BBQ Chicken Pizza!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel HERE

Recipe

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The BEST Butter Burger Recipe - VIDEO!

These smashed butter burgers are a real treat, super juicy, and simplythe best dive burgers you could imagine. Try this recipe for Homemade Butter Burgers and you'll be hooked!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 13 minutes minutes

Servings 4 butter burgers

Calories 768kcal

Author Honest and Tasty

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Onion grated or pureed
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Butter diced
  • 4 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter) or beef tallow
  • 8 slices American Cheese or cheddar cheese
  • 4 Hamburger Buns

Optional Toppings that I love:

  • Sliced Pickled Jalapeños
  • Chopped Raw Onion
  • Caramelized Onions To Make: Take a large onion and slice it. Put in a pan on medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir occasionally. You can choose to put lid on while you’re not stirring. After onions are completely softened and browned remove from heat. Should take about 25 minutes.
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard

Instructions

  • Combine beef, onion, sea salt, and black pepper until ingredients are incorporated.

  • If using cast iron, place the heat on med-low to medium. If using a nonstick pan, place the heat on med-high.

  • Now take ¼ of mixture and put some of the butter inside. Form into a thin patty and set on a plate.

  • Continue with remaining beef.

  • For every patty add 1 tablespoon ghee/beef tallow to your griddle/pan.

  • Add patties right in and use a spatula to “smash” the beef down. This helps spread it a bit more to create more surface area that crisps up.

  • After about 4-5 minutes or until beef is mostly cooked, flip and add 2 slices of cheese per burger.

  • Cook for about 2-3 more minutes to sear opposite side and melt cheese. You can cover burgers with a lid to help melt cheese faster.

  • Add buns to the griddle/pan (inside part down) at the end for about 10-20 seconds to warm up and slightly char the bread.

  • Remove patties and buns from griddle/pan and put some mayonnaise on the bottom buns before putting patties on top. Add whatever toppings you like (I used caramelized onions, sometimes chopped raw onions, jalapeños, ketchup, and mustard).

~~If you enjoyed this recipe, please rate it below and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos!~~

    Nutrition

    Calories: 768kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1259mg | Potassium: 405mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 736IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 501mg | Iron: 4mg

    The BEST Butter Burger Recipe - VIDEO! (2024)

    FAQs

    What makes a ButterBurger better? ›

    The idea is that as the patty cooks the butter melts and creates a pocket of rich buttery goodness in the center of the burger. The best results come when you incorporate flavorful ingredients into the butter like garlic, herbs, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, etc.

    What is the difference between a ButterBurger and a regular burger? ›

    Butter burgers are hamburgers topped with butter, either directly on the patty, or on the bun. Likely invented in Wisconsin, they remain popular in some northern parts of the midwestern United States, and are the principal item of Wisconsin-based fast food restaurant Culver's.

    What does butter do to hamburger meat? ›

    Did you know adding butter to your burger patties makes tender, juicier burgers? To make the classic butter burger, you must mix your ground beef with grated frozen butter before grilling or cooking. Don't forget to butter your hamburger buns and toast for extra flavor and crispiness.

    How does Culver's make their hamburgers? ›

    Culver's uses fresh, never frozen beef, and the pressing and searing technique locks in the juices and therefore the flavor. Pressing the beef also ensures it is the right thickness to cook evenly on the grill. "That's where that great steak flavor comes from." The beef is seasoned with a salt and pepper mixture.

    Why do Culvers burgers taste so good? ›

    Our ButterBurgers® are made with our special blend of three cuts of beef: sirloin, chuck and plate. All prized cuts, all well-marbled for richness and flavor with no fillers to get in the way. When it comes to beef, you want fresh beef. Frozen beef loses moisture and when you lose moisture, you lose flavor.

    What oil does Culver's use for burgers? ›

    Canola Oil (fryer oil) - Canola Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid added to preserve freshness and Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an anti-foaming agent.

    What is a Capone burger? ›

    Capone Burger. $14.99. 6 oz fresh beef patty, 4 oz shaved ribeye steak, 3 oz grilled chicken, 2 strips of beef bacon, american cheese, swiss american cheese, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, pickles, jalapenos, and capone sauce.

    Does Culvers put mayo on their burgers? ›

    We start with fresh, never frozen beef. Layer on real Wisconsin cheese, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, pickles, sweet red onion and our signature mayo. Then cap with a lightly buttered, toasted bun. It's our ButterBurger® at its best.

    Why put peanut butter in hamburger meat? ›

    Its nutty essence, combined with a subtle sweetness, creates an intriguing taste contrast with the savoury burger patty. The result is a culinary masterpiece where the richness of the meat is complemented by the creamy, nutty goodness of the peanut butter.

    Why add milk to burger patty? ›

    You've probably heard of adding milk to a meatloaf to keep it moist, well adding evaporated milk to hamburgers has a similar effect. The bread crumbs will soak up the evaporated milk and keep the ground beef mixture juicy and tender, while also keeping all the juices inside during cooking.

    What does adding milk to hamburger meat do? ›

    As noted by Lifehacker, dairy has a pretty magical effect on meat, tenderizing it without making it mushy, and helping it stay juicy when cooked. And although ground meat doesn't need any additional tenderizing — grinding takes care of that aspect — it certainly can benefit from extra moisture retention.

    Why do restaurants put toothpicks in burgers? ›

    Okay, so now you know why toothpicks are there: they'll keep the burger together both when the waiter brings it to the table and until you take a bite.

    Does Culvers fry their burgers in butter? ›

    We call our ButterBurgers “ButterBurgers,” not because they've been cooked, marinated, dunked, fried or drizzled with butter but because we lightly butter the crown of the bun for an extra touch of goodness. (Where else would you expect such a delicious idea than from the dairy state?)

    How is Arby's Steakhouse burger made? ›

    Arby's supplier delivers the beef blend formed into 6.4-ounce patties and already prepared sous vide-style. At each location, the patties are then reheated in the fryer for less than 2 minutes. “The fryer gives them a nice crispy edge and retains the flavor and juiciness of the beef,” said Truelove.

    What makes cheeseburgers good? ›

    The Best Cheeseburgers

    Beef is delicious on its own – it is a high-quality protein that is tender, juicy, and full of natural flavor. The most important tip for making the perfect burgers is to keep it simple. You don't need a bunch of mix-ins, or you're just masking the flavor of the beef.

    What makes Culvers so good? ›

    It's a promise that begins with sourcing the best ingredients and continues through to the way we prepare your meal: fresh, just for you. It's why we always use fresh, never frozen beef and whole, white meat chicken from America's family farms. It's why we only use family farm-fresh dairy for our Frozen Custard.

    What makes a burger stand out? ›

    Great burger restaurants use high quality ingredients. Sauces and other ingredients have lots of flavor that can make up for less flavorful low quality meats, making it tempting to cut corners. However, using good meat and the right spices can enhance every burger even if it's lathered in a million flavorful sauces.

    What makes a burger appealing? ›

    High fat content, good meat,, proper seasonings, and CHAR. You can re-create the flavor of a restaurant-style burger at home if you know what you're doing. For the meat, you want something that inherently has good flavor AND a high fat content.

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