Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking / Original by America's Test Kitchen
Equipment
Large skillet
Ingredients
2tbspwater, divided
½tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda, divided
1lb85 or 90 percent lean ground beef
½tsp + 1/8 tsp kosher salt, divided
2tspolive oil
½yellow oniondiced fine
2garlic clovesminced
2tsppaprika
1-2tspbrown sugarto taste
¼tspcrushed red pepper flakes
¼cuptomato paste
⅓cupketchup
1tbspred wine vinegarplus extra for seasoning
1tbspWorcestershire sauce
½tspcornstarch
4hamburger buns
Instructions
Combine 1 tablespoon of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well. Place the ground beef in a bowl and drizzle the mixture on top of the meat then season with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; mix until combined; set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion and remaining 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, or until very tender. Side Note: The baking soda helps break down the onion and cook quickly.
Add the garlic, paprika, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, for 5 minutes.
Add the ketchup, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until evenly combined. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and add more vinegar or sugar, if desired.
Combine remaining 1 tablespoon of water with the 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch until well combined. Add to the meat and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute, until it thickens everything up.
Remove from heat and spoon mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve immediately and enjoy.