Classic American Cheeseburger
In short: Juicy beef patties seared in a hot skillet, topped with melted cheese and stacked on toasted buns with pickles, onion and a quick sauce. It takes about 32 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 32 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 770 kcal
The cheeseburger is the American meal most often cooked at home, on a grill, in a skillet or on a flat griddle. The rules are simple: use beef with enough fat, handle it gently, season only the outside and toast the bun. This version cooks thick patties in a cast-iron pan for a brown crust and a juicy middle, then adds a sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup and pickle relish.
Instructions
- Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and mustard together in a small bowl and refrigerate while you cook.
- Divide the beef into 4 equal portions. Shape each into a loose patty about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick and 11 cm (4 1/2 in) wide, pressing a shallow dimple into the center. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, then add the oil. Season both sides of the patties with salt and pepper just before they go in.
- Cook the patties for 4 minutes without moving them, until a dark crust forms. Flip and cook 3 minutes more.
- Lay a cheese slice on each patty, add a splash of water to the pan and cover for 1 minute. The cheese should melt and the center reach 71°C (160°F).
- Spread sauce on both bun halves. Build each burger with lettuce, patty, tomato, onion and pickles, and serve straight away.
Tips
- Ground chuck, or a mix of chuck and brisket, gives the best flavor. Beef leaner than 85 percent turns out dry in a skillet.
- For a grill version, cook over high direct heat with the lid closed, 4 minutes per side, and add the cheese for the last minute.
Questions and answers
Can I shape burger patties ahead of time?
Yes. Shape them up to a day ahead, stack them between sheets of parchment and refrigerate. Season just before cooking. Raw patties freeze for 3 months and cook from frozen with 2 extra minutes per side.
How do I know when a burger is done?
Ground beef is safe at 71°C (160°F) in the center. A thermometer is the surest check, because the color of the meat is not a reliable guide.
What cheese is best on a cheeseburger?
Mild melting cheeses work best: cheddar, American cheese slices, Monterey Jack or Swiss. Strong cheeses tend to overpower the beef.
How long does it take to make Classic American Cheeseburger?
About 32 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic American Cheeseburger?
About 770 kcal per serving, with 39 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 49 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 770 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 49 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1350 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
