Going to Vegas? Treat Yourself To A $5,000 Burger

Master Chef Hubert Keller, of the Mandalay Bay restaurant Fleur and Top Chef Masters, is the creator of the world’s most expensive hamburger, the Fleurburger 5000.

If you didn’t figure it out, that 5000 stands for $5,000. Yep. So what’s included with that high-dollar price tag?

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • A Kobe beef patty, seared slice of duck foie gras, and black truffles (the truffles alone are estimated to cost $1,500 per pound)
  • A rare 1995 Chateau Petrus bottle of Bordeaux (retails for approximately $3,000)
  • Ichendorf Brunello stemware imported from Italy ($75 per pair.)
  • Customers keep the stemware and are also mailed a certificate of authenticity providing proof that they did in fact eat the Fleurburger 5000

Keller, a French-born chef, joined Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in 2004 with a casual dining restaurant Burger Bar. Keller is also the first guest chef invited to the White House by the Clintons.

If you think you’re up for the challenge, here’s Keller’s recipe for the Fleurburger 5000:

Hubert Keller’s – The Fleur Burger recipe

Makes 4 servings

1 tsp. cornstarch
1 cup brown Chicken Stock
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 lbs. coarsely ground beef
2 Tbsp. Madeira or port
4 Fleur Buns
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 oz. black Perigord truffle, very thinly sliced (about 5 slices per person)
8 to 10 oz duck foie gras
Fleur de sel
1 bunch watercress, washed and picked over.

For burgers, shape meat into 4 8- oz. patties about 1 inch thick. Handle lightly to keep texture and juicy. In small bowl, stir together cornstarch and about 2 Tbsp. of stock until well blended. Set aside. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Generously season meat on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook meat on 1 side until brown, about 1 minute. Then turn and brown second side about 3 minutes. With large spoon, baste burgers several times with fat in pan. Turn again and cook another 3 minutes, basting occasionally, for medium rare. Remove burgers to warm platter and reserve cooking skillet. Keep burgers warm and let rest several minutes before serving.

Working quickly so skillet is still hot, pour out remaining fat, and return pan to medium-high heat. Deglaze with Madeira: cook until reduced to 1 tsp. Add remaining stock and bring to boil. Cook until reduced by about a third, about 2 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture and stir until sauce has thickened, about 1 minute.

Split bun and lightly toast. Spread 2 Tbsp. of butter on cut side of buns. Set aside.

While burgers are resting, place dry skillet over medium heat until hot. Remove foie gras from refrigerator and put directly into hot pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until browned, about 30 seconds, and turn again. Turn again and cook 30 seconds and repeat. Foie gras should be brown and crusty on both sides. Be careful not to burn foie gras or fat remaining in pan. Drain foie gras on paper towels. Set aside and keep warm. Pour fat from pan into Madeira sauce (if desired).

Heat remaining butter in skillet over medium heat until butter begins to bubble. Add truffle slices and cook until warm through, about 30 seconds. Set aside and keep warm.

To assemble burgers, put bottom half of the bun on plate. Arrange burger on bun and drizzle with sauce. Top each with slice of foie gras and slices of truffle. Sprinkle lightly with fleur de sel. Balance top of each bun against burger and add a few sprigs of watercress between bun and burger. Serve immediately.