Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly juicy burger that puts every fast-food joint to shame - crispy edges, melted cheese, and a secret sauce that will make your taste buds dance with joy! These classic American burgers are not just a meal, they're a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ground beef into a gourmet masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. In just 30 minutes, you'll create burger magic that rivals any restaurant, right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 4 slices of cheddar cheese, 4 hamburger buns, 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of mustard.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
- Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty, about 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
- Preheat a grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the patties on the grill or skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side without moving them.
- Flip the patties and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes for medium doneness. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty to melt.
- While the burgers are cooking, prepare the burger sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until well combined. Adjust the ingredients to taste if desired.
- Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the grill or skillet and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a toaster until golden brown, if desired.
- Assemble the burgers by spreading a generous amount of burger sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place the cheese-topped patty on top of the sauce.
- Top each burger with the other half of the bun and serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as fries or a salad.
Tips
- Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for the juiciest burgers
- Handle the meat gently when mixing and forming patties to keep them tender
- Create a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up
- Let burgers rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness
- Don't press down on burgers while cooking - this squeezes out precious moisture
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness (160°F for well-done)
- Toast your buns for an extra layer of flavor and texture
- Experiment with sauce ratios to find your perfect burger sauce blend
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 600kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 44g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 90mg
