When you want a real hamburger, one you can really sink your teeth into … one that’s better than any hamburger at a diner, make this hamburger right here, just like this, fixings included.
I can never say a more honest sentence than this: there is nothing I love to eat more in the entire world than this perfect hamburger on a bun with extra ketchup, extra pickles, mustard, and onions. Period.
Everybody has a comfort food that brings them more joy than any other. And for this American girl, it’s a real American hamburger.
Whether fried in a skillet or on the grill, and whatever your choice of toppings, these dressed burgers are sure to please!
Hamburgers are one dinner you can be sure everyone will thank you for.
Ask a room full of family members, “Does anyone think hamburgers sound good for dinner?” and all you’ll see are gleeful nods or, if you have real little ones, you’ll get gleeful screeches!
How To Make The Best Hamburger In The World!
Now, I want you to make the juiciest burger possible. So, yes, follow the directions below, but also keep this one, what I’ll call “super-tip,” in mind.
I will share a story from cooking school that taught me something crucial about making the best, most tender, and juiciest hamburgers.
Yes, the directions below say 4 to 5 minutes for each side—and, yes, that is about how long each side takes, but I used to do something that was preventing me from creating the best burger possible, and I didn’t know it.
I tended to flip my burger a lot, turning the patty over and over so I could get to the eating faster.
One day, seeing me do this, another chef-student approached me and said firmly, “Don’t ever do that.”
I’m like, “Why? I’ve got to get this done; I’m behind.”
He explained slowly and carefully, and I have never forgotten his every word:
“You should only flip the meat once, or you’ll ruin it … so, wait till you see a bit of crispiness at the edges before flipping. Think of it like making pancakes and waiting for the crispiness to form around the edges before you flip it, right? Browned is what you want before you flip. Then, your burger will be perfect.”
And he was right. By doing that on my next attempt, it was the most flavorful, juicy, moist, perfect burger I had ever made.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
You can refrigerate these cooked hamburgers for 3-4 days (without the toppings and buns), which you should do for food safety reasons within 2 hours after cooking. I wrap them in foil or plastic wrap to ensure maximum quality. You can also safely freeze cooked hamburgers for 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These delicious hamburgers go fantastic with these super-crispy Air-Fryer Onion Rings, these Easy Potato Wedges, and with the addition of a crispy, crunchy salad like this Layered Bacon Ranch Salad, which is full of all kinds of yummies like bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing that you can heap right on top of your burger.
Most of all, I love them with my new favorite side dish of all—Cheesy Asparagus or, alternatively, the other vegetable-cheese recipe I’m enthusiastic about, this Garlic Parmesan Grilled Corn, which is AMAZING. For dessert, I’m completely obsessed with this Two-Layered Coconut Cake. It’s well worth the prep, and you can enjoy it for days on end. It’s amazing with vanilla ice cream. I’m telling ya!
Hamburger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 slices cheddar cheese optional
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 tablespoons ketchup optional
- 4 tablespoons mustard optional
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise optional
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato sliced
- 4 slices onion optional
- 4 slices pickle optional
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty that is about 1/2 inch thick and slightly larger than the bun.
- Preheat the grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Season the patties with salt and pepper. Grill or fry the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until the desired doneness is reached. Add cheese slices on top of the patties during the last minute of cooking if desired.
- Toast the hamburger buns lightly if desired. Spread ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise on the buns as per your preference. Place a lettuce leaf on each bun bottom, add a slice of tomato, the cooked patty, onion, and pickles. Cover with the bun tops.
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