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Prepare the Million Dollar Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using). Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and brown sugar (if using), then reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring every 5-10 minutes, for another 20-25 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and sweet. Set aside.

Cook the Beef Bacon: While onions are caramelizing, cook the beef bacon. Heat a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef bacon slices in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Break into smaller pieces if desired.

Prepare Onion Ring Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in the cold beer until a smooth batter forms. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.

Heat Oil for Frying: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Fry Onion Rings: Dip each onion ring into the beer batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully place a few battered rings into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain. Season immediately with a pinch of salt. Repeat with remaining onion rings, adjusting oil temperature as needed.

Form and Cook Patties: Divide the ground Wagyu Akauchi beef into 4 equal portions. Gently form each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty, slightly wider than your burger buns, making a small indentation in the center of each to prevent bulging. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.

Cook Patties and Melt Cheese: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burger patties. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness, or to your preferred level. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty, cover the skillet, and cook until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Toast Buns: While patties are cooking, lightly butter the cut sides of the brioche buns. Toast them on the same skillet or a separate pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.

Assemble the Burgers: On the bottom half of each toasted bun, layer a green leaf lettuce leaf, 1-2 tomato slices, and a few dill pickle slices. Place a cheesy burger patty on top. Generously spoon the garlic butter caramelized onions over the patty, followed by a few strips of crispy beef bacon. Finish with several beer-battered onion rings and a generous dollop of the Million Dollar Sauce on the top bun. Serve immediately.


Prepare the Million Dollar Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using). Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and brown sugar (if using), then reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring every 5-10 minutes, for another 20-25 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and sweet. Set aside.

Cook the Beef Bacon: While onions are caramelizing, cook the beef bacon. Heat a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef bacon slices in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Break into smaller pieces if desired.

Prepare Onion Ring Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in the cold beer until a smooth batter forms. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.

Heat Oil for Frying: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Fry Onion Rings: Dip each onion ring into the beer batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully place a few battered rings into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain. Season immediately with a pinch of salt. Repeat with remaining onion rings, adjusting oil temperature as needed.

Form and Cook Patties: Divide the ground Wagyu Akauchi beef into 4 equal portions. Gently form each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty, slightly wider than your burger buns, making a small indentation in the center of each to prevent bulging. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.

Cook Patties and Melt Cheese: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burger patties. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness, or to your preferred level. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty, cover the skillet, and cook until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Toast Buns: While patties are cooking, lightly butter the cut sides of the brioche buns. Toast them on the same skillet or a separate pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.

Assemble the Burgers: On the bottom half of each toasted bun, layer a green leaf lettuce leaf, 1-2 tomato slices, and a few dill pickle slices. Place a cheesy burger patty on top. Generously spoon the garlic butter caramelized onions over the patty, followed by a few strips of crispy beef bacon. Finish with several beer-battered onion rings and a generous dollop of the Million Dollar Sauce on the top bun. Serve immediately.
