Chili’s Oldtimer Burger with Cheese

January 12, 2025

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Nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into a superbly crafted burger, and Chili’s Oldtimer has mastered this artwork since 1975. This iconic burger has remained just about unchanged for almost 50 years – a testomony to its timeless attraction. At the moment, I’m sharing my perfected copycat recipe that brings this restaurant favourite to your kitchen.

Two copycat Chili's oldtimer burgers with cheese and French fries.

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What makes the Chili’s Oldtimer Burger with Cheese the right burger to get pleasure from at residence?

You may get a good cheeseburger anyplace, however Chili’s Oldtimer Burger with Cheese is one thing much more particular. Perhaps it’s the half pound of floor chuck completely seared to create that tasty crust, then topped with a thick slice of actual cheddar cheese and positioned on a heat, mildly candy brioche bun?

Or maybe it’s the toppings. The tart mustard, tangy dill pickles, refreshing shredded lettuce, and juicy tomato slices are nothing fancy, however they positive are scrumptious. All of it provides as much as one unforgettable burger.

Why you’ll love this recipe

The magic of Chili’s Oldtimer lies in its stunning simplicity. A half-pound of completely seared floor chuck, topped with melted cheddar cheese, crisp greens, and traditional condiments, all housed in a toasted brioche bun. No fancy sauces wanted – simply pure, trustworthy burger goodness that lets every ingredient shine.

Our distinctive urgent strategy of soup cans units this recipe aside, which creates that signature restaurant-style crust whereas holding the within juicy. Plus, you can also make it year-round in your kitchen – no grill required!

Elements you’ll need

For Chili’s Oldtimer Burger recipe with cheese, you’ll want:

Floor chuck
Butter
Brioche hamburger buns
Salt
Contemporary floor black pepper
Cheddar cheese
Yellow mustard
Dill pickle slices
Tomato slices
Shredded lettuce

Copycat Chili's oldtimer burger with cheese ingredients on a tray.

Ingredient notes

Select 80/20 chuck for the patties. You find yourself with dry patties that stick with the pan in case you use floor beef that’s too lean.

Don’t skimp on the cheddar cheese. Or use one thing you like, like Swiss or American cheese.

Don’t go together with entire leaves of lettuce right here. Shredding the lettuce takes solely a minute, but it surely provides simply the correct amount of crunch to every chunk.

Plain outdated yellow mustard is greatest. There’s no have to get too fancy.

How you can make a Chili’s Oldtimer with Cheese

To toast the buns:

Warmth a big skillet, ideally forged iron, over medium warmth.
Add half the butter to the skillet and swirl it round.
When the butter stops foaming, place two brioche buns, reduce aspect down within the skillet, and toast for a minute.
Take away the buns from the skillet and reserve them for later.
Repeat with the 2 remaining buns.

To organize the patties:

Divide the bottom chuck into 4 equal parts.
With moist palms, type the meat into 4 patties and place them on a plate for later.

To prepare dinner the patties:

Wrap 4 soup cans with aluminum foil and place them on a clear floor for later.
Brush out any crumbs from toasting the buns and return the skillet to the warmth.
Flip the warmth as much as medium-high.
Season each side of the uncooked patties with salt and contemporary floor black pepper.
When the skillet is sizzling, add the patties to it.
Evenly oil a spatula and use it to press down on the patties.
Place the wrapped soup cans on prime of the patties and prepare dinner for 3 to 5 minutes, relying on how you want your burgers.
Flip the patties and substitute the wrapped soup cans on prime. Cook dinner for 2 to 4 extra minutes. At this level, you can begin prepping the remainder of the burger. See under.

Toasting buns and cooking burger patties for Chili's oldtimer with cheese.

Take away the soup cans and place a bit of cheddar cheese on prime of every patty. Cowl every patty with the highest bun.
Cook dinner for an additional minute to soften the cheese.

To assemble Chili’s Oldtimer with Cheese:

Begin by spreading the yellow mustard on the toasted backside bun.
Evenly area 4 dill pickle slices on the bun and prime with slices of tomato.
Add 1 / 4 of the shredded lettuce.

Making and assembling copycat Chili's oldtimer burgers.

When the patty is cooked, use a spatula to switch the patty, cheese, and prime bun onto the half-assembled burger.
Insert two toothpicks into both aspect of the bun and slice the burger in half between them. Serve instantly.

Copycat Chili's oldtimer burger with cheese and French fries on a wood board.

What to serve with it

A burger is sweet, however an ideal burger deserves terrific sides. Attempt these:

French fries. Skip the bagged frozen fries and make your personal from scratch. For further taste scrub the potatoes properly and depart on the skins. Double fry the French fries for that excellent crispy exterior and fluffy inside.
Onion rings. The additional crunchy batter and skinny and candy onion slices in Purple Robin’s Towering Onion Rings pair properly with these cheeseburgers. In fact, you shouldn’t overlook the discontinued Chili’s Superior Blossom which you could now make at residence!
Coleslaw. The creaminess of the mayo and the vinegar zip make coleslaw an excellent aspect to serve with a Chili’s Oldtimer with Cheese. Combine up a traditional coleslaw, or do this candy and bitter model.

How you can retailer the leftovers from this Chili’s Oldtimer Burger recipe

Eat assembled burgers as quickly as doable for one of the best style. Shredding lettuce or slicing the tomatoes makes them go dangerous faster, however it can save you any further prepped veggies in an hermetic container within the fridge.

Wrap any fashioned, raw patties in plastic and retailer them within the fridge. For extra prolonged storage, strive freezing the patties on a baking tray earlier than transferring them to an hermetic container and returning them to the freezer. Thaw the patties within the fridge earlier than cooking.

How lengthy do they final?

The patties will preserve within the freezer for as much as a month or a couple of days within the fridge.

Use the shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes the subsequent day.

Copycat Chili's oldtimer burger with cheese.

Troubleshooting Suggestions

Widespread Points:

Burgers shrinking? Make patties 1-inch bigger than buns
Robust texture? Don’t overwork the meat
Sticking to pan? Guarantee pan is correctly heated
Is burger meat not crusty sufficient? Press firmly with cans and guarantee excessive warmth

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