The Carolina Burger
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The Carolina Burger originated in North and South Carolina, and is famous for its zesty chili, coleslaw, diced onions, and mustard sauce. It's like a burger and a sloppy joe combined!
What are Carolina Style Burgers?
In North Carolina, we love our creamy slaw, mustard, onions, and hotdog chili. So, why not pile them high on a burger?
You've probably tasted a basic mustard and ketchup burger. And, there's the fancy mushroom and swiss variety. But, this Carolina Classic Burger is where it's at!
No other burger compares to this Carolina style burger recipe. It's where a sloppy joe meets a cheeseburger and has a party!
It's a rip-roaring mess in the best way! You can't eat one without using at least 10 napkins, and even then, you'll still wreak havoc.
Try picking it up and you'll have to put it down. You might even need a fork. But, eventually, you'll get the hang of it and scarf down every bite. I dare ya!
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How to Make a Carolina Burger
To make a Carolina style burger, you need to make an amazing batch of hotdog chili and creamy coleslaw. Not just any chili and coleslaw, mind you, but the best you'll ever find...made Carolina style.
Carolina hotdog chili doesn't have any beans in it, so don't even think about adding those. It's just ground beef, chili seasoning, onions and ketchup. Simple, yet truly delicious. It's perfect on hotdogs, but even better on Carolina burgers.
Next, make a batch of creamy coleslaw with Duke's mayonnaise, (ad) apple cider vinegar, sugar and celery seed. Add a little garlic salt and pepper, and mix it all together. It's a match made in heaven.
What's The Best Type of Beef To Use?
Every burger chef has their favorite combo of meat, but I like to use 85% ground chuck.
For this recipe, I pan sear hamburger patties in my cast iron skillet (ad) and smother them with sharp cheddar cheese. However, feel free to grill those burgers if you like!
Cheese is optional on the Carolina Burger, but I love the flavor of cheddar with chili, so I always add it to mine.
It's up to you, but either way, you can't go wrong. I mean...take a gander at this...
What Type of Bun is Best?
When you're choosing buns for your Carolina Classic Burger, make sure you get the best brioche or bakery buns you can find. The buns have to be dense enough to handle the goodness that drips all over the place.
To assemble the burger, spread mustard on inside of buns. Place a hamburger patty on the bottom bun, followed by cheese if you like. Pile on the chili, then add slaw and chopped onions.
Close sandwich with top bun. To hold this baby together, you're gonna need a big steak knife! (ad)
I can't possibly think of enough adjectives to describe this yumminess. It's basically a sloppy joe on top of a hamburger patty. WOWZA...what a juicy burger!
Recipe FAQS
The Carolina Burger originated in the coastal and piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Restaurants like Wendy's and local burger joints sell them throughout the south.
This recipe calls for ½ pound of hamburger meat to make 4 thin patties. The burgers don't need to be too large because they're piled high with so many toppings.
It takes about 6 to 7 minutes for a burger to cook to medium done on the grill. If you're pan searing them, it takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to flip the burgers half way through cooking time.
More Beef Recipes
There are thousands of burgers out there, but there's only one burger named for my beloved home state. If you love this recipe, try these other beef dishes that are sure to please...
Recipe Card
The Carolina Burger
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
CREAMY COLESLAW
- 1 16 oz package coleslaw mix
- 2 Tbsp. minced onion
- ¾ cup Duke's Mayonnaise (ad)
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. celery seed
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt
CHILI
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- 1 cup water
- ½ small sweet onion minced
- ½ cup ketchup
BURGER
- ½ pound ground chuck (85%)
- 1 tsp. steak seasoning
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
OTHER
- 4 bakery buns
- 2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
- 2 Tbsp. diced onions for topping
Instructions
- For slaw, mix ingredients together in a large bowl and refrigerate until ready for use.
- For chili, brown ground beef in a skillet (ad) over medium heat, then add chili seasoning, water, onion and ketchup. Simmer for 10 minutes until meat is tender and chili is thickened.
- For burgers, pat ground chuck into 4 equal (thin) patties and sprinkle with steak seasoning. Fry in (ad) over medium heat until cooked throughout. Top with cheddar cheese until it melts.
- To assemble burgers, spread yellow mustard on inside of buns. Place hamburger patty on bottom bun. Top with chili, then add slaw and onions. Close with top bun.
- Insert a steak knife (ad) into top bun to hold burger together.
Notes
- Serve Carolina Burgers with an extra side of homemade chili and creamy slaw.
- You'll need extra napkins plus a knife and fork to eat this burger!
- Make the hamburger patties thin since there are so many toppings.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!
This Carolina Burger recipe was featured on the NC 10 Percent Campaign website which is dedicated to building North Carolina's local food economy!
If you have a griddle, start with an onion smash burger and add chili and slaw. Dang man - dats good.
Been missing these ❤ nothing beats a good ole Carolina Burger. Now for some Cheerwine with it
You got that right! 🙂
Yes! I totally agree! I had never heard of chili and slaw on a burger (or hot dogs) until I lived in NC, 25 years ago! I didn't think I would like it at first, but my goodness did I get hooked!!! This recipes brings back some wonderful memories! I'm going to make these for sure!!!
Best mix of flavors for a burger! Delicious!
Good old Carolina Burger! 🙂
I was never a huge burger fan, but there is something about this Carolina burger! My family loves the addition of slaw and chili, and as a result, this guy has become a summer time favorite! It is also fun to serve deconstructed as a 'burger bar' when you have guests or a family of picky eaters 🙂
Oooh...a burger bar! Love that idea! 🙂
I absolutely love this burger!!!
Thanks, Michelle. It's a keeper! 🙂
Awesome burger!!!! ❤️
That says a lot coming from a girl who loves her cheeseburgers! 🙂
You can’t beat this Carolina Burger it’s a winner regardless of the side of I-40 your team resides! High fives from our clan!
Thanks Robin! I think the mustard/onion/slaw/chili is a great combo!
I'm excited that you have a recipe for the Carolina Burger because it is one of my favorites. I've never had it with cheese, but that sounds pretty amazing. Carolina girls have to stick together!
Thanks, Catherine! A little cheese never hurt anything...right? 🙂
I wanna try this...I think my husband would LOVE it!
If you like creamy slaw and mustard, this burger's for you! 🙂
This burger is incredible. I can't even believe the photo! Can't wait to make this recipe.
Thanks Kara! This burger is definitely not for the faint of heart. It takes two to eat it sometimes! 🙂