Chimi (Dominican Street Burger with Cabbage Slaw)
In short: A seasoned beef patty on a soft bun with shredded cabbage, tomato and a tangy pink garlic sauce. The Dominican street burger, known as a chimi. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 580 kcal
The chimi, short for chimichurri, is the Dominican street burger, sold from carts and trucks in the evening. It has nothing to do with the Argentine herb sauce. A seasoned beef patty, often mixed with pork, goes on a soft bun with shredded cabbage, tomato and onion, and the whole thing is finished with a pink sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup and garlic. The cabbage gives crunch, and the sauce soaks into the bun. Pressing the bun on the griddle makes it even better.
Instructions
- Mix the ground beef with the grated onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and vinegar, handling it as little as possible. Shape into 4 patties about 12 cm (4 3/4 inches) wide and 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick.
- Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic and lime juice together for the pink sauce.
- Toss the cabbage with a pinch of salt and let it sit for 10 minutes. Squeeze out the excess liquid.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned and cooked through to 71°C (160°F).
- Split the buns and toast them, cut sides down, in the butter for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
- Spread pink sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer the patty, tomato, onion and a big handful of cabbage on the bottom half, add a little more sauce, then cover with the top and press down firmly.
- Serve right away, with fried green plantains if you like.
Tips
- Add a fried egg, melted cheese or sliced avocado for a loaded chimi.
- For juicier patties, replace a third of the beef with ground pork.
Questions and answers
Is a chimi the same as chimichurri sauce?
No. The Dominican chimi is a burger. It shares its name with the Argentine herb sauce, but the sauce here is a pink mix of mayonnaise, ketchup and garlic.
Why is there cabbage on a Dominican burger?
Cabbage adds crunch and freshness that balance the rich beef and creamy sauce. It is the signature topping of the chimi.
Can I make the pink sauce ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 5 days. For the best flavor, add the garlic fresh.
How long does it take to make Chimi (Dominican Street Burger with Cabbage Slaw)?
About 40 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chimi (Dominican Street Burger with Cabbage Slaw)?
About 580 kcal per serving, with 29 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 580 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
