Is there anything more American than the hamburger? Probably not. Here's our recipe for a juicy classic American hamburger!
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
- 4 hamburger buns
- Lettuce leaves
- 2 Tomatoes (sliced)
- 2 onions (sliced red or white)
- Pickles
- 4 American cheese slices (optional)
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Butter (for toasting the buns)
- 1
Divide the ground beef into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a round patty, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Season both sides of the patties with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- 2
Preheat your grill or heat a stovetop skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. If using a stovetop skillet, you can add a little oil to prevent sticking.
- 3
Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip them over. If you're adding cheese, place a slice of American cheese on each patty when there's about a minute left of cooking time. Cover the grill or skillet to melt the cheese.
- 4
While the patties are cooking, split the hamburger buns in half. Butter the inside and toast them on the grill until they're lightly browned.
- 5
Time to assemble the burger! Spread your favorite condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise) on the toasted buns. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun. Add the cooked burger patty. Top the patty with sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Place the top bun.
- 6
Serve the classic American hamburgers immediately while they're hot and juicy!
Tips- Don't be afraid to experiment with different burger recipes, sauces, and combinations to find your personal favorite. The beauty of burgers is their versatility.
- Accompany your burgers with classic side dishes like french fries, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad.
- Customize your burger with additional toppings like bacon, mushrooms, or a fried egg.
- Make it a double or triple burger by stacking multiple patties.
- Don't press down on the patties with a spatula while cooking; this can release the juices and make the burger dry.
- Let your burgers rest for a minute or two before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld together.
- Choose the right ground beef: For the juiciest burgers, select ground beef with a higher fat content, typically labeled as 80% lean and 20% fat. The fat helps keep the burgers moist and flavorful.
- Keep the meat cold. It's essential to keep the ground beef cold until you're ready to shape the patties. Warm meat can result in a less tender burger.
- Make an indent in the center. To prevent your burgers from puffing up in the middle as they cook, make a slight indent in the center of each patty with your thumb before grilling or cooking.
- Don't be shy with the seasoning. Season both sides of the patties generously with salt and pepper. You can add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for extra flavor.
- Ensure that your grill or skillet is thoroughly preheated before adding the burger patties. This helps create a sear on the outside, sealing in the juices.
hamburger - 2