Istanbul-Style Wet Burger PT50M https://img5.recipesrun.com/201907/2019/1028/1f/c/693097/300x200x50.jpg 4 servings Ingredients: 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 4 hamburger or brioche buns 1/4 cup tomato paste 5 tbsp. (or more) unsalted butter, divided 1 1/2 tsp. paprika, divided 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided 2 tbsp. chopped parsley 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (20% fat)

Istanbul-Style Wet Burger

By Ellie

4 Person
50 Minutes
0 Calories
Late-night crowds go wild for the delicious Islak "wet burgers" of Istanbul's Taksim Square. When a last minute trip to Turkey isn't possible, this recipe is a close second; the simple burger is packed with garlicky flavor and the easy-to-make, buttery tomato sauce gives the final burger that Sloppy Joe/meatloaf-like succulent texture that makes these burgers totally addictive.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

  • 4 hamburger or brioche buns

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 5 tbsp. (or more) unsalted butter, divided

  • 1 1/2 tsp. paprika, divided

  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided

  • 2 tbsp. chopped parsley

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (20% fat)

Method

  • 01
    Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, parsley, half of the garlic, and 1 tsp. paprika in a large bowl. Divide into 4 loosely packed patties 4" wide and 3/4" thick. Make a small indentation in the center with your thumb to help keep it flat as it grills. Chill until ready to use.
  • 02
    Do Ahead: Raw burger patties and sauce can be made 3 days ahead; cover separately and chill. Reheat the sauce in a medium saucepan over medium, whisking until smooth.
  • 03
    Meanwhile, cook 4 Tbsp. butter and remaining garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until butter turns caramel-brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and remaining 1/2 tsp. paprika, whisk to combine and cook until paste begins to caramelize about 30 seconds. Add 3/4 cup water and whisk until smooth; simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • 04
    Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter and cook buns, cut side down, until cut sides are golden-brown, about 2 minutes (you may need to do this in 2 batches, using additional butter if needed). Using a brush, generously brush cut side of buns with tomato sauce. Transfer buns to a 13x9" glass baking pan.
  • 05
    Add oil to skillet and increase heat to high; heat until oil begins to smoke. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook burgers until lightly charred on the bottom, 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2–3 minutes for medium-rare.
  • 06
    Transfer burgers to the pan with sauce and coat burgers in the sauce. Transfer burgers to bun bottoms and top with the top bun. Brush top of bun with sauce. Cover pan with foil, transfer to the oven and bake 5 minutes. Carefully remove foil and serve immediately.

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Istanbul-Style Wet Burger

Late-night crowds go wild for the delicious Islak "wet burgers" of Istanbul's Taksim Square. When a last minute trip to Turkey isn't possible, this recipe is a close second; the simple burger is packed with garlicky flavor and the easy-to-make, buttery tomato sauce gives the final burger that Sloppy Joe/meatloaf-like succulent texture that makes these burgers totally addictive.
01 Information
  • Grade easy
  • Serving 4 servings
  • Prep Time 40 Mins
  • Cook Time 10 Mins
  • Total Time 50 Mins
02 Ingredients
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 hamburger or brioche buns
1/4 cup tomato paste
5 tbsp. (or more) unsalted butter, divided
1 1/2 tsp. paprika, divided
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (20% fat)
03 Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, parsley, half of the garlic, and 1 tsp. paprika in a large bowl. Divide into 4 loosely packed patties 4" wide and 3/4" thick. Make a small indentation in the center with your thumb to help keep it flat as it grills. Chill until ready to use.
Step 2
Do Ahead: Raw burger patties and sauce can be made 3 days ahead; cover separately and chill. Reheat the sauce in a medium saucepan over medium, whisking until smooth.
Step 3
Meanwhile, cook 4 Tbsp. butter and remaining garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until butter turns caramel-brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and remaining 1/2 tsp. paprika, whisk to combine and cook until paste begins to caramelize about 30 seconds. Add 3/4 cup water and whisk until smooth; simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter and cook buns, cut side down, until cut sides are golden-brown, about 2 minutes (you may need to do this in 2 batches, using additional butter if needed). Using a brush, generously brush cut side of buns with tomato sauce. Transfer buns to a 13x9" glass baking pan.
Step 5
Add oil to skillet and increase heat to high; heat until oil begins to smoke. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook burgers until lightly charred on the bottom, 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2–3 minutes for medium-rare.
Step 6
Transfer burgers to the pan with sauce and coat burgers in the sauce. Transfer burgers to bun bottoms and top with the top bun. Brush top of bun with sauce. Cover pan with foil, transfer to the oven and bake 5 minutes. Carefully remove foil and serve immediately.
04 Author
Ellie Ellie
1078 Recipes
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