Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, preferably 80% lean
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
1 teaspoon Emeril’s Creole Seasoning (sold in supermarkets) or other Creole seasoning
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, cut into 8 slices
4 hamburger buns
Down Home Chili
Preparation
Form the ground beef into 8 patties about 1/3 inch thick. Preheat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the griddle. Season the onion slices with 1/4 teaspoon each of the Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the onions to the griddle and cook, stirring until lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
Lightly season the patties on both sides with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon Creole seasoning, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the Worcestershire. Push the onions off to one side, then place the patties on the hot griddle and cook for 3 to 4 minutes for medium, turning once halfway through. Flip the patties again, add 1 slice of cheese to the top of each, and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese is melted. Place the hamburger buns, cut sides down, on the griddle, and cook until warmed through and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
For each burger, place one toasted bun on a serving plate. Place one patty on the bottom half of the bun, spoon chili on top of the patty, and top with a second patty and more chili. Place a portion of onions on the chili, and finish off with the top of the bun. Serve immediately.