What is a classic burger made of?

There's nothing quite like a classic beef burger! Keep this diner staple simple with a well-seasoned hamburger patty, toasted bun, then a little mayo, iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and ketchup. Many people like to add a slice of cheese (usually cheddar or American cheese), but this is optional. Feel free to add a little burger sauce to make them extra special!

How long do you cook quarter-pound burger patties?

Not long! The cooking time depends on your cooking method, but burgers are generally done in 10 minutes or less. On a gas or charcoal grill, it will take about 5 minutes per side. In a cast iron skillet, it will take 3-5 minutes per side. When done, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the patty should read 160 degrees F.

How should you season homemade burger patties?

There are lots of different opinions on this, but after making more than my fair share of homemade burgers, I have some thoughts to share. First, you should add some sort of bread crumbs to absorb the moisture from the meat as it cooks. I like to use panko breadcrumbs, which have a very light flavor that lets the meat shine. For flavor, I like to add shredded cheddar cheese, pickle juice (yes, really!), Worcestershire sauce, parsley, garlic powder, and simple salt and black pepper. The pickle brine will tenderize the meat and add a tanginess that balances the flavor of the beef. It's a simple combination that results in the most deliciously juicy grilled burgers every time!

Classic Juicy Hamburgers

Name: Classic Juicy Hamburgers
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons pickle juice (or cold water); 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or cooking spray oil; 4 hamburger buns, sliced; 1/4 cup mayonnaise, divided; 4 pieces of lettuce; 4 slices tomato, 1/4-inch thick; 1/2 cup red onions, sliced; 1/2 cup pickles, sliced; 1/4 cup ketchup

Description

Better than the steakhouse, these Classic Juicy Hamburgers are perfectly seasoned, tender and juicy, and so flavorful and delicious — literally the best burgers ever! With just 10 minutes of prep, you can enjoy restaurant style burgers at home today. Plus, you can make homemade burgers over the grill, on the stove in a cast-iron skillet, or in the oven.

Ingredients

For the hamburger patties:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons pickle juice (or cold water)
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or cooking spray oil

For the burgers:

4 hamburger buns, sliced
1/4 cup mayonnaise, divided
4 pieces of lettuce
4 slices tomato, 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup red onions, sliced
1/2 cup pickles, sliced
1/4 cup ketchup

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Instructions

Prepare the hamburger patties:

In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, parsley, pickle juice, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce (optional), and salt and pepper. Stir well with a spatula to combine everything together (or use your hands to press the ingredients together to evenly combine).
Shape the ground beef mixture into a firm ball. This helps the beef mixture bind together to yield firm patties. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Transfer the ground beef mixture onto a large piece of parchment paper. Flatten the ground beef with your hands into a square that is 1/2-inch thick (approximately an 8x8-inch square). You can also roll it out with a rolling pin.
Use a 4-inch wide circular mold (or the rim of a round bowl) to cut out 4 hamburger patties (1/4 pound each). Add the scraps evenly amongst the 4 patties.

Cook the hamburger patties:

To grill: Brush oil over the grill pan and heat pan over medium-high heat for 3 minutes until the oil starts to sizzle and shimmer. Place patties spaced apart on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side until the internal temperature for the patties reaches 160 F. It takes about 10 minutes total.
To cook on the stove: Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes until sizzling hot. Place patties on the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until nicely seared and starting to brown up the sides. Flip the patties over and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the internal temperature for the patties reaches 160 F.
To cook in the oven: To bake or air fry, cook for 15-17 minutes at 425 F or until they reach 160 F internally.

Assemble the hamburgers:

Slice the hamburgers and toast the slices on the grill, if desired.
On each hamburger bun, spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise onto the bottom half of the bun. Top with a piece of lettuce and a grilled hamburger patty. Top the patty with 1 slice of tomato, 2 or 3 slices onions and sliced pickles. Add a tablespoon ketchup on the top half of the bun. Place the top half of the bun on top to assemble the hamburger.
Serve with a side of crispy french fries.

Notes

How to check if the burger is cooked: A digital meat thermometer is very useful when grilling meat for checking doneness. Simply insert halfway inside the meat to get a quick measurement.

How to store: Store leftover cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can store the uncooked patties for up to 2 days from the date you purchased the ground beef.

How to reheat: Reheat leftover hamburger patties on the grill, stove over medium heat, or in a 350F preheated oven or air fryer. Heat until the internal temperature hits 165ºF as read on a meat thermometer.

How to freeze hamburger patties: You can freeze both cooked and uncooked hamburger patties for up to 3 months. Place them on a parchment lined baking tray and place in the freezer for an hour. Then, stack them up and layer small squares of parchment paper in between them. Store in an airtight ziploc bag and place back in the freezer. To use them, defrost overnight in the refrigerator. For the cooked patties, simply reheat once thawed. For the uncooked patties, cook according to recipe instructions once thawed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinate Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Burgers
Method: Grill
Cuisine: American