Description
This classic hamburger recipe features juicy ground chuck patties seasoned with a flavorful spice blend, grilled to perfection and topped with melted American cheese. Served on toasted buns with fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles, it offers a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Patties
- 1 ½ pounds ground chuck (80/20)
- 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Toppings
- 6 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
- 6 slices American cheese or your favorite cheese
- 6 lettuce leaves
- 1 beefsteak tomato, thinly sliced
- ½ of a red or white onion, thinly sliced
- 6 pickle slices
Optional Toppings
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Grilled onions
- Jalapeños
- Bacon
- Onion rings
Condiments
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Thousand Island dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Homemade Chick-fil-A Sauce
Instructions
- Make Burger Seasoning: Combine black pepper, salt, paprika, light brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Stir well to blend all spices evenly. Set aside until ready to season the patties.
- Form Patties: Divide the ground chuck into 6 equal portions. Gently form each into a ½ inch thick patty, slightly wider than the hamburger bun to account for shrinkage during cooking. Handle the meat lightly to avoid toughness.
- Indent Patties: Press a gentle indentation into the center of each patty using your thumb. This helps the burgers cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up. Cover the patties and set aside while the grill preheats.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Optionally, place an ice cube in each indentation to keep the patties moist until cooking.
- Season and Grill Patties: Just before grilling, sprinkle the prepared seasoning evenly over both sides of the patties. Place the patties on the hot grill, indentation side up. Close the lid and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is seared and juices appear on top.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the patties carefully and cook another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for medium doneness. During the last minute, place a slice of American cheese on each patty to melt.
- Rest Burgers: Remove the patties from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes to redistribute juices and enhance flavor.
- Assemble Burgers: Place each patty on a toasted bun and add desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, and pickles. Add any condiments or additional toppings as preferred.
Notes
- Meat: Use ground chuck for best flavor and fat content. Alternatively, mix 60% ground chuck with 40% brisket or add bacon or olive oil if using lean ground beef.
- Cheese: Choose freshly sliced American cheese from the deli counter rather than processed cheese slices for superior melt quality.
- Stovetop Cooking: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with a thin coat of oil. Cook patties 3-5 minutes per side until 160°F.
- Cooking Temperature: Aim for 160°F internal temperature for medium doneness. Adjust cooking time slightly for medium rare or well done.
- Make Ahead: Form patties and layer with parchment between each. Refrigerate up to 1-2 days depending on freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze raw patties with parchment paper separating each, up to 3 months. Thaw completely before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
