Ultimate Copycat Carl's Jr. Famous Star with Cheese Burger
Recreate the iconic flavor of Carl's Jr. Famous Star with Cheese right at home! This mouthwatering burger features a juicy ground sirloin patty, topped with melty American cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and zesty pickles all sandwiched between toasted sesame seed buns. The creamy mayo and tangy ketchup relish combination adds the perfect finishing touch. Ideal for a weekend cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to delight burger lovers of all ages. Impress your friends and family with this delicious homemade copycat version that brings fast-food goodness to your kitchen in under an hour!
4
Servings
504
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground sirloin
1 lb (Ground beef, well-seasoned)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Kosher or sea salt for seasoning)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (Dried garlic powder)
Onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (Dried onion powder)
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup (Regular or light mayonnaise for spreading)
Ketchup
1/2 cup (Your favorite brand)
Sweet relish
2 tablespoons (Slightly sweet pickle relish)
American cheese
4 slices (Melted on top of the patties)
Hamburger buns
4 (With sesame seeds, split in half)
Sliced pickles
1/3 cup (Dill or sandwich pickles, to taste)
Green lettuce leaves
4 pieces (Rinsed and dried)
Large tomatoes
2, sliced (Fresh and ripe)
Small white onion
1, sliced (Thinly sliced)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb of ground sirloin with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder. Mix until the spices are evenly distributed.
2
Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and gently shape them into thin patties. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes to firm up.
3
Preheat your indoor grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat. Once hot, remove the patties from the freezer and place them on the grill. Use a spatula to press them down lightly. Cook the patties for about 4 minutes on the first side until browned.
4
Flip the patties and continue to cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes on the other side, until they reach your desired doneness. When the patties are almost done cooking, turn off the grill and place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Close the grill lid briefly to allow the cheese to melt.
5
While the patties are grilling, prepare the special sauce by mixing together 1/2 cup of ketchup and 2 tablespoons of sweet relish in a small bowl. Set it aside for later.
6
Slice the hamburger buns and toast them until golden brown. Spread 1/2 cup of mayonnaise evenly on each half of the toasted buns.
7
To assemble each burger, start by placing a few sliced pickles on the bottom half of the bun. Layer on 1 piece of green lettuce, a couple of tomato slices, a few slices of onion, and one cheesy burger patty. Top with the ketchup-relish mixture and place the top half of the bun on.
8
Serve the burgers immediately with your choice of side dishes for a wonderful meal that captures the essence of a classic fast-food favorite!
Nutrition Information
28g
Fat
26g
Carbs
28g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Copycat Carl's Jr. Famous Star with Cheese Burger?
It is a homemade recreation of the iconic Carl's Jr. burger featuring a seasoned ground sirloin patty, American cheese, fresh vegetables, and a signature ketchup-relish sauce.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 1 lb of ground sirloin for a high-quality, juicy patty.
How many calories are in one Famous Star with Cheese burger?
Each serving contains approximately 504 calories.
How many burgers does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 servings, or 4 individual burgers.
What seasonings are used for the burger patties?
The patties are seasoned with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
Why should I freeze the patties for 30 minutes before grilling?
Freezing the patties briefly helps them firm up so they hold their shape better and don't fall apart on the grill.
How do I make the special sauce for the Famous Star?
The sauce is made by mixing 1/2 cup of ketchup with 2 tablespoons of sweet relish.
What kind of cheese is used in this copycat recipe?
Authentic to the original, this recipe uses 4 slices of American cheese, melted directly onto the patties.
What type of buns should I use?
Use sesame seed hamburger buns, split in half and toasted until golden brown.
How long should I cook the burger patties?
Cook for about 4 minutes on the first side and an additional 2 to 3 minutes on the second side until your desired doneness is reached.
What is the purpose of making an indentation in the center of the patty?
Making a slight indentation helps the patties cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the middle during the grilling process.
What vegetables are included in the burger assembly?
The burger includes sliced pickles, green lettuce leaves, sliced large tomatoes, and thinly sliced small white onions.
How much protein is in each burger?
Each burger provides 28g of protein.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 28g of fat in one serving of this burger.
How many carbohydrates are in a single burger?
One burger contains 26g of carbohydrates.
Can I use an indoor grill for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either an indoor grill pan or an outdoor grill set to high heat.
How should I prepare the onions?
The small white onion should be thinly sliced before being added to the burger.
What kind of pickles are best for this burger?
Dill or sandwich pickles are recommended to provide the traditional zesty flavor.
Where do I apply the mayonnaise?
Spread 1/2 cup of mayonnaise evenly across each half of the toasted buns.
In what order should I assemble the burger?
Start with pickles on the bottom bun, then lettuce, tomato, onion, the cheesy patty, the ketchup-relish mixture, and finally the top bun.
Is the ketchup-relish mixture applied to the top or bottom?
According to the assembly instructions, the ketchup-relish mixture is placed on top of the burger patty before adding the top bun.
Can I use light mayonnaise?
Yes, the recipe specifies you can use either regular or light mayonnaise for spreading.
How do I get the cheese to melt perfectly?
When the patties are almost done, turn off the grill, add the cheese, and close the lid briefly to trap the heat and melt it.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total used to make this burger.
Can I prepare the ingredients in advance?
Yes, you can slice the vegetables and prepare the ketchup-relish sauce while the patties are firming up in the freezer.
What is the total time required for this recipe?
The recipe can be completed in under an hour, including the 30-minute freezing time for the patties.
What should I serve with this burger?
It is recommended to serve the burgers immediately with your choice of side dishes, such as fries or a side salad.
Is this recipe considered a fast-food copycat?
Yes, it is specifically designed to replicate the flavor of the Carl's Jr. Famous Star with Cheese.
What kind of relish is best?
Sweet relish is used to provide the signature tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile of the original burger.
Should the lettuce be wet or dry when assembling?
The lettuce leaves should be rinsed and then dried thoroughly to prevent the burger from becoming soggy.