Cannabis-Infused "Famous Star" Carl's Jr. Knockoff with Infused Special Sauce

Cannabis-Infused "Famous Star" Carl's Jr. Knockoff with Infused Special Sauce

A Note on Dosing: This recipe makes 2 Famous Star burgers. We calculate based on a 15% THC flower. You must calculate your own dose based on your cannabis potency. This is a macro dose for experienced consumers. Know your tolerance. Start with half a burger.

Approximate Dose (using 2g of 15% THC flower): ~75mg THC per Famous Star. This is an extremely high dose. Adjust your cannabis amount to 0.5g for a more moderate 18mg per burger, 1g for ~37mg, or 1.5g for ~55mg.

Terpene Pairing Suggestion: Choose a Limonene and Caryophyllene-dominant strain. Limonene's bright citrus will complement the tangy special sauce and pickles, while Caryophyllene's peppery spice will amplify the char-grilled beef and crispy lettuce. This combination creates an uplifting yet grounded experience—perfect for a West Coast classic.

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Step 1: The Cannabis-Infused Famous Star Special Sauce

Ingredients:

· 2 grams cannabis flower (Limonene/Caryophyllene dominant)
· 1 cup high-quality mayonnaise
· 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing
· 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
· 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
· 1 tablespoon white vinegar
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1 teaspoon onion powder
· 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
· 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Decarboxylation Method:

1. Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C).
2. Finely grind cannabis flower and spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool completely.

Infusion Method (No-Heat Emulsion):

1. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thousand Island dressing, relish, mustard, vinegar, sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Whisk until completely smooth and well combined. The sauce should be a pale pink-orange color.
3. Finely grind the decarboxylated cannabis into a fine powder using a clean coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind until it's a fine, fluffy powder—no visible plant material.
4. Add the powdered cannabis to the sauce mixture. Whisk vigorously for 3-5 minutes until fully incorporated and no green streaks remain.
5. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
6. This is your Cannabis-Infused Famous Star Special Sauce. It will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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Step 2: The Famous Star Assembly

For the Char-Grilled Patties:

· 1 lb 80/20 ground chuck (2 patties, 8 oz each)
· Sea salt and black pepper
· 2 tablespoons butter, melted
· 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (for that char-grilled flavor)

For the Build:

· 2 sesame seed buns
· Butter, for toasting
· Your Cannabis-Infused Famous Star Special Sauce
· 2 slices American cheese
· Shredded iceberg lettuce
· Sliced tomato
· Sliced white onion
· Dill pickle chips
· Optional: Crispy bacon strips

Equipment:

· Grill or cast-iron griddle
· Pastry brush
· Spatula

Method:

1. Create the Char-Grilled Basting Butter:

· In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and liquid smoke.
· This will be brushed onto the patties to replicate Carl's Jr.'s signature char-grilled flavor.

2. Form the Patties:

· Divide the ground chuck into 2 equal portions (8 oz each).
· Gently form into patties slightly wider than your buns (they'll shrink). Make a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
· Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Toast the Buns:

· Butter the cut sides of each sesame seed bun generously.
· Toast on the grill or griddle over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.

4. Grill the Patties:

· Heat your grill or griddle to medium-high heat.
· Place the patties on the hot surface. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until a deep, dark crust forms.
· Flip the patties. Immediately brush the cooked side with the char-grilled basting butter.
· Place a slice of American cheese on each patty.
· Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the patties are cooked through.
· Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes.

5. Build the Famous Star (Bottom to Top):

· Bottom bun: Spread a generous layer of Cannabis-Infused Famous Star Special Sauce.
· Layer 1: Shredded iceberg lettuce.
· Layer 2: Sliced tomato.
· Layer 3: Sliced white onion.
· Layer 4: Dill pickle chips (3-4 slices).
· Layer 5: The char-grilled, cheese-topped patty.
· Optional: Add crispy bacon strips on top of the patty.
· Top bun: Spread more special sauce on the cut side and place on top.

6. The Paper Wrap (Optional but Authentic):

· Wrap the assembled burger tightly in parchment paper or foil.
· Let it rest for 2-3 minutes. This steams the bun slightly and melds everything together.

7. Serve:

· Unwrap, cut in half if desired, and serve immediately with extra Cannabis-Infused Famous Star Special Sauce on the side.

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The Carl's Jr. "Famous Star" Explained:

The Famous Star is Carl's Jr.'s signature burger—a char-grilled beef patty, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and special sauce on a sesame seed bun. It's simple, classic, and executed perfectly.

The key is the char-grilled flavor. Carl's Jr. uses actual flame-grilling, but at home, liquid smoke in the basting butter is the cheat code. It transforms a standard griddled patty into something that tastes like it came off a live-fire grill.

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Safety, Dosing & Storage

CRITICAL NOTES:

⚠️ EXTREME MACRO DOSE WARNING: This recipe as written contains approximately 75mg THC per Famous Star (assuming 2g of 15% flower infused into the special sauce, divided evenly between 2 burgers). This is an extremely potent dose intended only for experienced consumers.
⚠️ THE SAUCE IS THE VEHICLE: All the cannabis is in the special sauce. Control your dose by how much you add.
⚠️ REDUCE YOUR CANNABIS: For a more reasonable experience, use 0.5g (18mg per burger), 1g (37mg), or 1.5g (55mg).
⚠️ LABEL LEFTOVERS: Mark any leftover sauce "CANNABIS-INFUSED - HIGH DOSE."
⚠️ DO NOT DRIVE. You will be seeing stars.

Storage:

· Infused Famous Star Special Sauce: Refrigerate up to 2 weeks
· Cooked patties: Refrigerate up to 3 days
· Assembled Famous Stars: Do not store. The lettuce will wilt.