Description
This classic hamburger recipe features juicy ground chuck patties seasoned with a flavorful spice blend and grilled to perfection. Served on toasted buns with melted American cheese and a variety of fresh toppings, it’s a timeless and satisfying meal perfect for any barbecue or casual dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Patties
- 1 ½ pounds ground chuck (80/20)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 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 red or white onion, thinly sliced
- 6 pickle slices
Optional Toppings and Condiments
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Grilled onions
- Jalapeños
- Bacon
- Onion rings
- 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 small bowl. Set aside to use later.
- Form Patties: Divide the ground chuck into 6 equal portions. Gently shape each into a ½ inch thick patty, making them wider than your burger buns to account for shrinkage during cooking. Be careful not to over-handle the meat to keep the texture tender.
- Indent Patties: Press a gentle indentation with your thumb into the center of each patty. This helps the burgers cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up. You may cover and set aside while preheating the grill. Optionally, place an ice cube in each indentation to keep patties moist until cooking.
- Preheat Grill and Season: Heat your grill to medium-high. Just before cooking, sprinkle the prepared seasoning evenly over the patties.
- Grill Patties: Place the patties on the grill with the indentations facing up and close the lid. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is seared and juices gather on top. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for medium doneness.
- Add Cheese: During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty to melt.
- Rest and Assemble: Remove patties from the grill and let them rest on a plate for a few minutes. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and your choice of condiments and toppings.
Notes
- Choose ground chuck over ground beef if possible, or blend 60% chuck with 40% brisket. For leaner beef, add bacon or olive oil to maintain juiciness.
- American cheese melts best and is traditional for hamburgers. Buy sliced fresh from the deli counter instead of processed singles.
- To cook on the stove, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add a thin coat of oil, and cook patties 3-5 minutes per side to reach 160°F.
- Cook burgers until internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety, adjusting time slightly for preferred doneness.
- Make ahead by forming patties, separating with parchment paper, and refrigerating up to 2 days.
- Freeze raw patties up to 3 months with parchment paper between each and store in an airtight container. Thaw completely before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger with bun and cheese
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
