Originally for day four of Fourth of July eats, I was planning on sharing one of my favorite chicken marinade recipes. Sure, it’s good and all, and I do plan on sharing it soon. But when I realized that I didn’t have a blog post that taught you how to make cheeseburgers? Well, it was game over. You need to learn how to make the best cheeseburgers at home without a grill. Because some of us (*cough* me) live in a city with a small apartment and don’t have a grill. So you have to make due, and I’m confident this is the best way to make cheeseburgers.
To cook cheeseburgers inside, get a cast-iron skillet.
Are you surprised? I honestly think I should rebrand my blog the “cast-iron skillet” blog because I recommend cooking practically every one of my recipes in it. It works great as a normal skillet, a casserole dish, a roasting pan, and yes, even an indoor grill. Snag one of your own here.
I know it sounds strange, but a cast-iron skillet fries up a burger really nicely and even gives it somewhat of a charred consistency like a burger would. Plus, since the fat isn’t dripping off the burger, the cheeseburger will come out juicy. Think diner burgers.
Cheeseburgers don’t take long to cook. Once the cast-iron skillet is hot and the butter is melted, you only need to cook the burger three minutes on each side. This will create a medium-rare burger. If you like your burgers a little tougher, cook it for another minute on each side.
How to know if your cheeseburger is done
I have found that cooking the cheeseburgers without a grill for three minutes on each side is the perfect amount for a medium-rare burger. However, every stove will cook differently (just slightly), so in order to evaluate if your burger is at the proper rareness scale you want, you can use the classic hand test.
Here’s what you do. Pinch your pointer finger and your thumb together. With your other hand, press the the muscle on the hand of your thumb. If your burger feels the same as that (yes, give it a poke), it’s rare. If you pinch your middle finger and thumb together, that’s what medium-rare feels like. The ring finger and thumb together measures medium doneness, and pinky and thumb is how it should feel when it’s well done.
For a classic all-American cheeseburger, use these toppings
Obviously for your cheeseburger you can use any toppings you want, I’m not stopping you! But if you’re up for making a classic all-American cheeseburger, I suggest the following toppings:
- Tomato slices
- Red onion slices
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Sriracha mayo (I describe how to make it in the notes of the description)
But again, use any toppings you want, these are just my go-to’s. I’m even thinking that salsa verde will taste great on your cheeseburger!
The perfect sides to have with your burgers
Chips, duh. But also
Alright here’s the recipe.
Classic Cheeseburger
Ingredients
- 4 oz. ground beef
- Salt & pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp butter
- 1 slice American cheese
- Hamburger bun
- Tomato slices
- Red onion slices
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Sriracha mayo optional
Instructions
- Measure out 4 oz. of ground beef using a kitchen scale.
- Press down the ground beef into a patty using the palm of your hand. Shape the edges into a circle.
- Season both sides of the patty with salt and pepper. Make sure to rub in the salt and pepper to the patty for it to be properly seasoned/flavorful.
- Heat up a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once it is heated, melt the butter in the pan.
- Place the burger down into the cast-iron skillet. Let it cook for 3 minutes.
- Flip the burger, then place the slice of cheese on top. Cook for another 3 minutes.
- Serve on a burger bun with lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, pickles, and sriracha mayo. Or any other toppings you desire!
Notes
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I agree, there’s almost nothing a good cast iron skillet can’t cook.
100%, they are the best!!