Islak Burger (Wet Burger)

A Turkish-style burger where juicy beef patties are smothered in a rich, garlicky tomato-butter sauce and baked until the buns become deliciously wet. Perfect blend of traditional hamburger with a unique, savory sauce that makes it irresistibly moist.

4 servings

42 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•1½ pounds ground beef chuck
•2 tablespoons chopped parsley
•2 cloves garlic
•1½ teaspoons paprika
•5 tablespoons unsalted butter
•¼ cup tomato paste
•4 buns hamburger or brioche buns
•1 tablespoon vegetable oil
•2 teaspoons kosher salt
•1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, parsley, half of garlic, and 1 tsp. paprika in a large bowl. Divide into 4 loosely packed patties 4" wide and 3/4" thick. Make a small indentation in the center with your thumb to help keep it flat as it grills. Chill until ready to use.
15 min
2.
Meanwhile, cook 4 Tbsp. butter and remaining garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat, swirling pan occasionally, until butter turns caramel-brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and remaining 1/2 tsp. paprika, whisk to combine, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 30 seconds. Add 3/4 cup water and whisk until smooth; simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
11 min
3.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter and cook buns, cut side down, until cut sides are golden-brown, about 2 minutes (you may need to do this in 2 batches, using additional butter if needed). Using a brush, generously brush cut side of buns with tomato sauce. Transfer buns to a 13x9" glass baking pan.
5 min
4.
Add oil to skillet and increase heat to high; heat until oil begins to smoke. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook burgers until lightly charred on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.
6 min
5.
Transfer burgers to pan with sauce and coat burgers in sauce. Transfer burgers to bun bottoms and top with top bun. Brush top of bun with sauce. Cover pan with foil, transfer to oven, and bake 5 minutes. Carefully remove foil and serve immediately.
5 min
6.
Raw burger patties and sauce can be made 3 days ahead; cover separately and chill. Reheat sauce in a medium saucepan over medium, whisking until smooth.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, parsley, half of garlic, and 1 tsp. paprika in a large bowl. Divide into 4 loosely packed patties 4" wide and 3/4" thick. Make a small indentation in the center with your thumb to help keep it flat as it grills. Chill until ready to use.

15 min

Meanwhile, cook 4 Tbsp. butter and remaining garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat, swirling pan occasionally, until butter turns caramel-brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and remaining 1/2 tsp. paprika, whisk to combine, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 30 seconds. Add 3/4 cup water and whisk until smooth; simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

11 min

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter and cook buns, cut side down, until cut sides are golden-brown, about 2 minutes (you may need to do this in 2 batches, using additional butter if needed). Using a brush, generously brush cut side of buns with tomato sauce. Transfer buns to a 13x9" glass baking pan.

5 min

Add oil to skillet and increase heat to high; heat until oil begins to smoke. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook burgers until lightly charred on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.

6 min

Transfer burgers to pan with sauce and coat burgers in sauce. Transfer burgers to bun bottoms and top with top bun. Brush top of bun with sauce. Cover pan with foil, transfer to oven, and bake 5 minutes. Carefully remove foil and serve immediately.

5 min

Raw burger patties and sauce can be made 3 days ahead; cover separately and chill. Reheat sauce in a medium saucepan over medium, whisking until smooth.