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
Get 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 equal parts. Gently shape each part into a patty about 1/2-inch (1cm) 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 Fry)
For Grilling: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties directly on the hot grill. 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 olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron 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, spread butter or brush the hamburger buns with a little bit of olive oil. Toast them on the grill for 1-2 minutes, or in a separate pan, until they are golden brown. This adds a nice texture 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 any condiments like ketchup, mustard, or pickles on the other half of the bun and put it on top of the other half. Serve immediately.
💡 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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