AmericanWeeknight30 minutes or less

Homemade Hamburgers

Name: Homemade Hamburgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20) 80% lean for best juiciness; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 4 piece American or cheddar cheese sliced; 4 piece hamburger buns brioche or potato buns preferred; 1 tbsp butter for toasting buns; 4 piece lettuce iceberg or leaf; 1 piece tomato sliced into 4 rounds; ketchup and mustard to taste

Juicy beef patties with a golden-brown crust, melted cheese, crisp lettuce, and tangy condiments on a toasted bun.

20 min4 servings

Ingredients

1.5 lb ground beef (80/20) · 80% lean for best juiciness
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper · freshly ground
1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 piece American or cheddar cheese · sliced
4 piece hamburger buns · brioche or potato buns preferred
1 tbsp butter · for toasting buns
4 piece lettuce · iceberg or leaf
1 piece tomato · sliced into 4 rounds
ketchup and mustard · to taste

Directions

1
Form the patties
Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 oz each). Gently form each into a round patty about 3/4 inch thick. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb — this stops them from puffing up during cooking. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Do not overwork the meat.
2
Heat the pan or grill
Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat for 2 minutes until very hot. You want a hard sear, so don't add oil — the fat in the beef will do the work. If using an outdoor grill, preheat to high and lightly oil the grates.
3
Cook the patties
Place patties in the pan and press lightly with a spatula once to ensure full contact. Cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip once and cook another 2-3 minutes for medium (pink center) or 4 minutes for well done.
4
Melt the cheese
In the last 60 seconds of cooking, lay a slice of cheese over each patty. Cover the pan with a lid or foil for 30-60 seconds until the cheese is fully melted and draped over the edges.
5
Toast the buns
Melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Place buns cut-side down and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp. Watch closely — they brown fast.
6
Assemble and serve
Spread ketchup and mustard on the toasted buns. Place lettuce on the bottom bun, then the cheesy patty, then a tomato slice. Add the top bun and serve immediately while the patty is still hot and the cheese is melty.