The Ultimate Homemade Pittsburger: Bring Primanti Bros. Flavor Home (with Fries & Coleslaw!)

Bring a little bit of the Steel City’s iconic flavors right to your kitchen with The Pittsburger. This homemade burger is a loving tribute to the legendary Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, famously topped not just with a juicy patty, but also with generous portions of crispy French fries and creamy coleslaw. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a true taste of Pittsburgh comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

My Enduring Love Affair with Pittsburgh

If you’ve followed my culinary journey for a while, it’s no secret that my heart beats for Pittsburgh, the vibrant city where I was born and raised. Even after spending four years living mid-state, I felt an undeniable pull back to the rolling hills and friendly faces of my hometown. It wasn’t until I started exploring job opportunities a few years ago, widening my search beyond Pittsburgh, that I truly grasped how deeply I missed its unique charm.

I recall a job interview in Philadelphia for a position I thought I wanted. Looking back now, I’m secretly relieved it didn’t pan out. No other city sparked the same excitement, the same feeling of “home” that Pittsburgh always has. It’s a city that’s often underestimated, rarely topping the list for tourist destinations, and in my opinion, that’s precisely what makes it so special.

Pittsburgh may not boast the colossal monuments of other major metropolises like The Liberty Bell or The Statue Of Liberty. We don’t have a bustling Freedom Trail packed with historical reenactments. We aren’t a city designed around overwhelming tourist traps, and that’s a huge part of its appeal. Here, you get an authentic urban experience. Forget overpriced hotels, exorbitant museum tickets, or elbowing for space on a crowded beach while paying a fortune for a simple hot dog. What you find in Pittsburgh is genuine warmth, a rich history, incredible sports culture, and a distinct culinary identity – just pure, unadulterated Pittsburgh love.

The Primanti Brothers Legacy: An Iconic Pittsburgh Staple

When locals and visitors alike ponder quintessential Pittsburgh eateries, there’s a near-unanimous chance that Primanti Brothers immediately comes to mind. This legendary sandwich shop isn’t just famous in Pittsburgh; it’s practically put the city on the gastronomic map with its ingenious and now iconic tradition: piling French fries and coleslaw directly onto their sandwiches, rather than relegating them to the side.

While I absolutely adore the experience of dining out and savoring these classic Pittsburgh flavors, the cost can quickly add up. That’s why I decided to embark on a culinary mission to bring the spirit of Pittsburgh into my own kitchen, culminating in this homemade version of The Pittsburger. My goal wasn’t to create an exact copycat recipe; instead, I used the Primanti Brothers concept as a powerful inspiration, refining it to fit my preferences for a truly satisfying homemade burger.

There were two main reasons for this creative interpretation. Firstly, I wanted to move beyond the traditional deli meat sandwich served on Italian bread. While delicious, I envisioned a more robust, classic burger experience. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, when you order “The Pittsburger” (which usually refers to their steak burger) at their restaurant, the patty can sometimes be a bit on the smaller side, leaving you wanting more meat flavor. When I bite into a burger, I crave a substantial, juicy patty – one so generously sized that you have to gently squish it down just to take that glorious first bite. This homemade Pittsburger delivers exactly that.

Pittsburgh, by the way, has some pretty significant burger history! Did you know that the world-famous Big Mac was actually invented just five minutes from where I live now, right here in Pittsburgh? In fact, my hometown even boasts a Big Mac museum! Ironically, I’ve only visited once and mostly remember the impressive giant Big Mac statue. This rich burger heritage only further fuels my passion for crafting the perfect homemade version of The Pittsburger.

So, whether you’re planning a summer cookout, seeking an exciting new burger to spice up your weeknight dinners, or simply yearning for a taste of the ‘Burgh, this Pittsburger recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your craving and transport a little piece of Pittsburgh’s culinary heart straight to your kitchen.

Smart Shopping for Your Pittsburger with ALDI

As much as I enjoy the thrill of grocery shopping, I confess I’m not a fan of making multiple trips to different stores just to check off every item on my list. Thankfully, ALDI consistently proves to be my one-stop shop for creating these incredible Pittsburger masterpieces. From high-quality ground beef to fresh hamburger buns and delicious cheese, ALDI reliably stocks everything I need.

On one occasion, my local ALDI had unfortunately sold out of their convenient pre-made coleslaw, which is usually a fantastic shortcut. However, this simply prompted me to activate “Plan B” – gathering the simple ingredients needed to whip up a batch of homemade coleslaw. If your ALDI carries their ready-made coleslaw, by all means, grab it! It’s a great time-saver. Since I was already making coleslaw from scratch, I decided to further optimize my prep time by choosing ALDI’s seasoned French fries, which are always a hit and cook up perfectly crispy with minimal effort.

Crafting the Perfect Hamburger Patty: Essential Tips

The secret to truly sensational homemade hamburgers lies in how you handle the meat. Follow these key steps to ensure your Pittsburger patties are incredibly juicy and flavorful every time:

1. Choose the Right Blend: Always opt for an 80 percent lean, 20 percent fat ground beef blend. This ratio is absolutely ideal for hamburgers, providing enough fat for incredible flavor and moisture without making the burger greasy.
2. Minimize Handling: This is crucial. It might go against your instincts, especially if you usually mix in spices or onion directly into the meat, but the less you handle the ground beef, the more tender your burgers will be. Overworking the meat can lead to a tough, dense patty. Instead, gently form your patties and season them *just before* cooking.
3. Season at the Last Minute: To avoid drawing out moisture from the meat prematurely, liberally sprinkle your burger patties with salt and freshly ground black pepper right before they hit the heat. This ensures maximum flavor penetration without compromising texture.
4. Create a Dimple: When shaping your patties, press a slight indent into the center of each one. This clever trick prevents the burgers from puffing up into a dome shape as they cook, ensuring they remain flat and wide, perfectly fitting your bun. Nothing is more disappointing than a patty that shrinks smaller than its bread!
5. Avoid Pressing: Once your burgers are cooking, resist the urge to press down on them with your spatula. This pushes out all those delicious juices and essential fat, leading to a dry and less flavorful burger.

Assembling Your Ultimate Pittsburger

Once your perfectly cooked, cheesy burger patties are ready, it’s time for the signature Pittsburgh touch: topping them generously with those golden French fries and a spoonful of creamy coleslaw! But it wouldn’t be a true Pittsburger experience without a classic condiment, and in Pittsburgh, we take our ranch dressing very seriously. For an extra kick that perfectly complements the rich burger, I like to mix my ranch dressing with a dash of hot sauce – it adds a delightful spicy tang that elevates every bite.

Layer your burger with the patty, a pile of crispy fries, a dollop of coleslaw, and a fresh slice of tomato. Then, spread that zesty ranch-hot sauce mixture on the top bun for an explosion of flavors and textures that truly captures the spirit of Primanti Brothers. This burger is a meal in itself, but if you’re looking to round out your plate, consider serving your Pittsburger with light, complementary sides like Caesar Pasta Salad, Italian Potato Salad, Amish Potato Salad, or Amish Macaroni Salad.

More Burger Recipes to Sizzle Your Senses

Looking for more exciting ways to enjoy a burger? Explore these other delicious and creative burger recipes from my kitchen:

• Avocado Burgers
• BBQ Bacon Burgers
• Fried Egg Burgers
• Pesto Burgers
• Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
• Sweet Chili Aioli Burgers

The Pittsburger (Primanti Style Burger With French Fries and Coleslaw)

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
8 minutes

Total Time:
38 minutes

Bring Pittsburgh to your kitchen with The Pittsburger – homemade burgers topped with coleslaw and French fries, inspired by Primanti Bros.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, thawed (80/20 blend)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 1 pound frozen french fries, cooked according to package directions
• 1 cup coleslaw, homemade or store bought
• 4 slices tomato
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Instructions

1. Divide the beef into four 4-ounce portions. Shape into patties, making a slight indent in the middle. Season the top with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. When hot, add 2 buns, tops and bottoms separated and face down, until toasted. Repeat with the remaining 2 buns and 1 teaspoon oil. Remove the buns and leave the pan over medium heat.
3. Add 2 patties and cook for 4 minutes. Flip, sprinkle with more salt and pepper, then top with 1 slice cheese each. Cook another 4 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160F degrees. Repeat with the remaining 2 patties and cheese.
4. To assemble, add one burger to one bottom half of a bun. Top with 4-5 French fries, 1/4 cup coleslaw, and 1 slice tomato.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the ranch and hot sauce then spread some on the top bun before adding. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by ALDI. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with, as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running Chocolate Moosey, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development. All opinions expressed are my own.