Classic Beef Burgers
Juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patties served on toasted buns with your favorite toppings. This recipe makes two delicious burgers, ideal for a casual meal.
Prepare the patties
In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Do not mix too much, as this can make the burgers tough. Divide the seasoned beef into two equal parts. Gently shape each part into a patty about 1/2-inch thick and slightly wider than your burger bun. Make a small dip in the center of each patty with your thumb; this helps stop the burger from puffing up in the middle while cooking.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Mixing the beef too much makes burgers tough, so mix just enough to combine.
- •The thumb dip helps the burger cook flat and even.
Cook the burgers (Grill or Pan-Fry)
For Grilling: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties directly on the hot grill grates (the metal bars). Cook for 4-6 minutes per side for medium doneness (slightly pink in the middle), or change the time based on how well you like your meat cooked. For Pan-Frying: Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan (a heavy metal pan) over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the patties in the pan. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side for medium doneness. Place 1 slice of cheese on top of each patty during the last minute of cooking, covering the pan briefly to help the cheese melt.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Only flip the burgers once to get a good browned crust.
- •For juicy burgers, avoid pressing down on them with your spatula while cooking.
Toast the buns
While the burgers are cooking, lightly spread butter or brush the cut sides of the hamburger buns with a little oil. Toast them on the grill for 1-2 minutes, or in a separate pan, until they are golden brown. This adds great flavor and stops the buns from getting soggy.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Toasting buns adds a nice texture and keeps them from soaking up too much juice from the burger.
Assemble and serve
Once the burgers are cooked and the buns are toasted, build your burgers. Place a cooked patty (with melted cheese) on the bottom bun. Add lettuce leaves, tomato slices, and red onion slices. Put the other half of the bun on top and serve immediately. You can also add condiments like ketchup, mustard, or pickles.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Have all your toppings ready before the burgers finish cooking so you can quickly put them together.
- •Serve with fries, a side salad, or more pickles.
- Large mixing bowl
- Grill or large skillet/cast-iron pan
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
- 💡For a slightly different flavor, try mixing in a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika with the beef.
- 💡If you are using very lean ground beef, a little extra oil in the pan can help keep the patties juicy.
- 💡Always let your grill or pan heat up properly before adding the patties for the best browned outside (sear).
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