Basic Cheeseburger with Sweet Potato Fries

Servings: 6
Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

FOR BURGERS:
1 lb extra lean ground beef
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp dried parsley
6 cheese slices
6 sesame seed hamburger buns
Dill pickles
1 white onion finely chopped
Butter lettuce leaves OR iceberg lettuce finely shredded
Optional sliced tomato 

FOR BIG MAC SAUCE:
1 cup light mayo 
¼ cup ketchup
2 tbsp relish (I cut this part out) 
2 tbsp finely chopped white onion
1 tsp white wine vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste

FOR SWEET POTATO FRIES: (see tidbits)
2 large sweet potatoes
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet (or 2 depending on size of your potatoes and baking sheets) with parchment paper. 
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into fry shaped pieces about ¼ “ wide and thick. Transfer potatoes to the baking sheet. Chop onion while you have the cutting board out. 
  3. Sprinkle the sweet potato fries with cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix around until they are lightly coated in powder. Drizzle olive oil over the fries and toss until they are lightly and evenly coated in oil. If any visible chunks of cornstarch remain, use your fingers to rub it in. 
  4. Bake for 20 minutes and then flip using a large spatula so they can cook on all sides. If there are any that are much more brown than others, move those to the middle so they don’t overcook. Bake for another 10-18 minutes, checking to ensure they don’t burn.
  5. While the potatoes are baking for their first 20 minute time chunk, start prepping the burgers. Add ground beef into a bowl with the salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Mix evenly using your hands. (if you’re going to use a grill go warm that thang up now)
  6. Separate ground beef into 6 even sized patties and flatten.
  7. Prepare the big mac sauce by combining all ingredients into a sealable container and mix until well combined.
  8. While the potatoes are cooking for their 2nd 10-18 minute time chunk, cook the burgers. If cooking on a grill they only need 2-3 minutes per side OR can heat a large skillet over medium high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil and cook patties for 1-2 minutes per side. Add cheese to burgers on the grill or in the skillet if you want cheese melted. 
  9. Once burgers are finished, assemble them with big mac sauce, lettuce, and onion. Add cheese at this point if it was not added on the grill. Add on tomato if desired. Serve alongside finished sweet potato fries and voila! 

TIDBITS:

  1. The instructions have you baking the sweet potato fries but Josh and I air fried ours, which was even easier than baking. BUT I know not everyone has an air fryer so make that adjustment if you do have one and are interested in using it!
  2. If you end up needing to use 2 baking sheets for your sweet potato fries, split the spices and oil between each pan and make sure to switch racks after the first 20 minute baking time.