Tocino Smash Burgers with Achara Slaw
Recipe Guy
Fil-Am Fusion
Tocino smash burgers bring the sweet-savory char of Filipino breakfast tocino to a juicy burger with cheese, banana ketchup mayo, and achara slaw.
About This Recipe
Local name: Tocino Burger
This burger borrows from tocino without turning the patty into breakfast sausage. A small amount of tocino-style seasoning gives red color, sweetness, garlic, and char, while achara slaw keeps each bite sharp and crunchy.
Ingredient Notes
Meat blend
Ground beef is easiest, but half beef and half ground pork gives a stronger tocino feel.
Banana ketchup
It adds sweet Filipino tomato flavor to both the patty seasoning and the burger sauce.
Achara slaw
Drain achara and toss it with cabbage or green papaya for crunch.
Smashing
Smash the patties thin so the sweet seasoning caramelizes at the edges.
Tocino Smash Burgers with Achara Slaw Recipe
Tocino smash burgers bring the sweet-savory char of Filipino breakfast tocino to a juicy burger with cheese, banana ketchup mayo, and achara slaw.
Yield: 4 burgers Serving size: 1 burger
Yield note: Makes 4 double-patty burgers from 8 thin smash patties.
Shopping List
Meat
- Ground beef or beef-pork blend
Bakery and Dairy
- Brioche buns
- American cheese
Produce and Pantry
- Garlic
- Achara
- Cabbage or green papaya
- Banana ketchup
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Calamansi
Ingredients
Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or beef-pork blend
- 2 tablespoons banana ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon annatto or paprika
Sauce and Slaw
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons banana ketchup
- 1 teaspoon calamansi or lime juice
- 1 cup drained achara, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or green papaya
Build
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- 4 slices American cheese
- Neutral oil for the griddle
- Fries or chips for serving
Instructions
- Mix banana ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and annatto or paprika in a bowl.
- Fold the seasoning gently into the ground meat. Do not overmix.
- Divide into 8 loose balls and refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Whisk mayonnaise, banana ketchup, and calamansi for the sauce.
- Toss drained achara with cabbage or green papaya for the slaw.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle until very hot. Lightly oil the surface.
- Place meat balls on the griddle and smash thin. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until edges caramelize.
- Flip, add cheese to half the patties, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until the patties reach 160 F if using a beef-pork blend.
- Stack two patties per burger, cheese in the middle.
- Spread sauce on toasted buns, add patties, top with achara slaw, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Estimate
Estimated per burger using 80/20 beef, cheese, bun, sauce, and achara slaw.
Tips For The Best Tocino Smash Burgers with Achara Slaw
- Keep the meat cold: Cold patties smash cleaner and brown better.
- Use high heat: Tocino flavor depends on caramelized edges.
- Drain the slaw: Too much pickle liquid will make the bun soggy.
- Build fast: Smash burgers are best eaten right off the griddle.
How To Serve And Store
Serving: Serve with fries, chips, or garlic rice for a brunch-style plate.
Make Ahead: Mix the sauce and slaw a day ahead; shape patties the day you cook.
Refrigerate: Refrigerate cooked patties for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze uncooked seasoned patties for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Reheat patties in a skillet, then build with fresh buns and slaw.
Safety: Cool perishable leftovers within 2 hours and reheat cooked foods to steaming hot before serving again.
Common Questions
Can I use store-bought tocino?
Yes. Chop cooked tocino finely and mix a small amount into the burger meat, or serve it as a topping.
Is food coloring required?
No. Annatto or paprika gives color without relying on dye.
Can I grill these?
A flat griddle is better because smashing creates the caramelized crust.
What can replace achara?
Use quick-pickled carrots, green papaya, cabbage, or cucumber.
