Frita Cubana Burger

Name: Frita Cubana Burger
Ingredients: one 2-pound bone-in, fresh ham; 5 cloves garlic; 5 sprigs thyme; 1 spanish onion, quartered; 1/2 quart orange juice; 1/2 quart lime juice; 1 quart water; kosher salt and cracked black pepper, to taste; 2 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup chopped parsley; 1/2 cup chopped cilantro; 1/4 cup chopped red onion; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/4 cup sherry vinegar; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon sambal oelek; 1 cup mayonnaise; kosher salt, to taste; 1 pound ground beef sirloin; 1/2 pound ground beef short ribs; 1/4 pound ground skirt steak; kosher salt, to taste; 4 slices swiss cheese; 4 potato hamburger buns; 4 leaves boston lettuce; 1 tomato, sliced; 1/2 spanish onion, sliced; 1/2 cup sliced pickles

Julian Medina|May 25, 2012 12:35 pm EST

Frita Cubana Burger

4 (1 ratings)

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This is our Cuban-inspired burger, which is topped with chicharrones, pulled roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and chimichurri mayonnaise. It's perfect for serving a hungry crowd; just pass the mojitos around to get the party started. See all burger recipes. Click here to see Chefs' Favorite Burger Recipes.

Servings

4

Ingredients

one 2-pound bone-in, fresh ham
5 cloves garlic
5 sprigs thyme
1 spanish onion, quartered
1/2 quart orange juice
1/2 quart lime juice
1 quart water
kosher salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon sambal oelek
1 cup mayonnaise
kosher salt, to taste
1 pound ground beef sirloin
1/2 pound ground beef short ribs
1/4 pound ground skirt steak
kosher salt, to taste
4 slices swiss cheese
4 potato hamburger buns
4 leaves boston lettuce
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 spanish onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced pickles

Directions

Place the ham in a large roasting pan with the garlic, thyme, onion, orange juice, lime juice, and water. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover the ham with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 3 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place the roasting pan in the oven, still covered, and cook until tender, 3 hours. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Remove the ham from the roasting pan and place on a carving board. Remove the skin and set aside to use for the chicharrones. Then, shred the meat from the bone.
Place the shredded meat in a Dutch oven over low heat, then pour the braising liquid into the pot with the meat. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Heat through and remove from the heat.
Meanwhle, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat until it reaches 300 degrees as measured by a frying thermometer. Add the pork skins and fry until crisp. Remove from the skillet when done and transfer to paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
In a bowl, combine all of ingredients, except the mayonnaise, and stir well. Then, slowly whisk in the mayonnaise until well incorporated into the sauce. Set aside.
Prepare a charcoal grill and heat to a temperature of 350 degrees.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground meats and mix together well. Form into four 6-ounce patties and set aside. Season the beef patties with kosher salt then place on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Remove from the grill and set aside on a baking sheet.
On each patty, place a generous portion of the pork, then top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, return patties to the grill for 30 seconds to allow cheese to melt. At the same time, place the hamburger buns on the grill for about 30 seconds to warm through.
Set out 4 plates. For each burger, spread the chimichurri mayonnaise on the bottom bun, then place the lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Finally, place the pork-stacked beef patty, top with the chicharrones, and lastly, add the top bun.