Beef
Classic Juicy Homemade Beef Burgers
★★★★½ (4.7)
Simple ground beef patties seasoned only with salt and pepper, seared on a hot skillet or grill until deeply crusted outside and juicy within, prove that a great burger needs almost no extra ingredients. Perfect for a first-timer who wants a guaranteed win.
- Minimal ingredients let the beef flavor shine
- Foolproof stovetop method that works without a grill
- Ready start to finish in about 25 minutes
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 oz each) and gently shape into patties slightly wider than your buns, about 3/4 inch thick; handle the meat as little as possible to keep the burgers tender.
- Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb; this stops them from puffing into a dome as they cook.
- Season both sides of each patty generously with a total of 1.5 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper right before cooking.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until hot, with no oil needed since the beef fat will render.
- Place the patties in the pan and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until deeply browned and a crust has formed on the bottom.
- Flip once with a spatula and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the second side.
- If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking and cover the pan loosely to help it melt.
- Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty; ground beef must reach 160F internal temperature to be safe to eat, unlike whole steaks.
- While the patties finish cooking, spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast them cut-side down in a separate dry skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
- Spread mayonnaise or condiments on the bun bottoms, then layer lettuce, a patty with melted cheese, tomato, onion, and pickles.
- Close the buns and serve immediately while the patties are hot and juicy.
Overworking the ground beef when shaping patties compacts the meat and makes for a dense, tough burger, so mix and shape it as gently and briefly as possible.
Pressing a dimple into the center of each raw patty is the trick that keeps burgers flat, since beef fat shrinks and pulls the middle upward as it cooks.
Nutrition (per serving)
590Calories
34gProtein
35gFat
28gCarbs
2gFiber
780mgSodium
Nutrition information is estimated and provided for convenience only.
