Irish Pub Burgers with Whiskey Aioli (Print version)

Juicy beef burgers layered with Irish cheddar, bacon, sweet onions, and a garlicky whiskey aioli on toasted pretzel buns.

# Ingredients:

For the whiskey aioli

01 - 1/2 cup (120 g) mayonnaise
02 - 1 tablespoon Irish whiskey
03 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
04 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
06 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

For the burgers

09 - 6 slices thick-cut bacon
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1 1/2 lb (680 g) ground chuck, 80/20 or 85/15
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 4 slices Irish cheddar cheese, about 4 oz (115 g)
16 - 4 pretzel buns, split and toasted
17 - 4 lettuce leaves, optional
18 - 4 tomato slices, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Whisk the mayonnaise, Irish whiskey, Dijon, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while you cook the burgers.
02 - Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and pour off most of the fat.
03 - Add olive oil and sliced onion to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until soft and golden, 10-12 minutes. Move the onions to a bowl.
04 - Divide the beef into 4 loose patties, about 6 oz each. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty and season both sides with salt and pepper.
05 - Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3-5 minutes per side, until browned and the center reaches 160°F for ground beef.
06 - Place Irish cheddar on each patty during the last minute of cooking. Cover the skillet briefly so the cheese melts.
07 - Spread whiskey aioli on the toasted buns. Stack each bottom bun with lettuce if using, a cheeseburger patty, bacon, golden onions, tomato if using, and the top bun. Serve right away.

# Good to know:

01 - The whiskey aioli tastes best after 15 minutes of resting in the fridge.
02 - Cook ground beef burgers to 160°F for food safety.
03 - For an alcohol-free aioli, replace whiskey with lemon juice and a few drops of Worcestershire sauce.

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