Juicy, flavorful burgers, ready in under 20 minutes? Yes, please! Forget firing up the grill; this recipe for stovetop burgers delivers perfectly cooked patties every time, no matter the weather. Get ready for a culinary adventure that’s as simple as it is delicious. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve restaurant-quality burgers right in your own kitchen. This recipe is your ultimate guide to mastering the art of the perfect stovetop burger.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes!
- No Grill Required: Perfect for apartment dwellers or year-round burger cravings.
- Perfectly Juicy Burgers: Our method ensures tender, flavorful patties every time.
- Customizable: Top with your favorite cheeses, toppings, and condiments.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound ground chuck (80%-85% lean)
- Kosher or sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 slices American or Cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese!)
- 4 burger buns
- Condiments of your choice (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.)
- Toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, etc.)
How to Make It
- Place the ground chuck in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently mix to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Divide the meat into four equal portions.
- Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch thick, round patty. Leave some craggy edges and don’t press it too flat.
- Using your thumb or fingers, create a small indentation, about ¼-½ inch from the edge, around the circumference of the patty. This helps prevent bulging during cooking.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. No need to grease the skillet!
- Carefully place the patties in the hot skillet, leaving some space between each one.
- Cook the burgers until nicely seared and browned halfway up the sides.
- Flip the burgers and cook to your desired doneness. Note: The USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure all bacteria are eliminated.
- If adding cheese, remove the pan from the heat, place the cheese on top of the burgers, cover the skillet, and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
- Serve on toasted buns with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overwork the meat when mixing; this can result in tough burgers.
- For extra juicy burgers, gently press a small indentation into the center of each patty before cooking. This prevents the center from bulging.
- Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your patties and your preferred level of doneness.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Different Cheese: Experiment with various cheeses like pepper jack, Swiss, or provolone.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spices to the meat mixture.
- Gourmet Burgers: Incorporate caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or bacon for elevated flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your stovetop burgers on toasted buns with your favorite toppings. Classic pairings include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. For a side, consider serving your burgers with fries, potato salad, or a fresh green salad.
Storage, Freezing, & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap individual burgers tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat frozen burgers in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
Closing Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for stovetop burgers! They’re a quick, easy, and delicious meal option perfect for any night of the week. Let me know in the comments below how yours turned out and don’t forget to share your culinary creations on social media! Happy cooking!
Recipe FAQs ❓
Q: Can I use a different type of ground meat?
A: Yes, you can experiment with ground turkey or ground beef with a higher fat content. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary.
Q: How do I know when the burgers are cooked through?
A: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The burgers should reach 160°F (71°C).
Q: Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can form the patties ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Stovetop Burgers - How to Cook Burgers on the Stove (by BADR)
Equipment
- 1 saucepan (optional)
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1. Place ground chuck in a medium-size mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Mix gently to combine, but don’t overwork the meat.
- 2. Divide the meat into four equal portions.
- 3. Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch thick, round patty. (The patty should not be smooth – leave some craggy edges and don’t press it too flat.)
- 4. With your thumb or fingers, press a “moat”, approximately ¼-½ inch from the edge, around the circumference of the burger - be sure the edge of the burger is a little higher than the indentation. This will ensure the burger will flatten out while cooking. Repeat this process with each portion.
- 5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, carefully place the patties in the skillet (no need to grease skillet) leaving some space between each patty.
- 6. Cook the burgers until nicely seared and they have browned halfway up the sides.
- 7. Flip the burgers and cook to your liking. (*NOTE - To ensure all bacteria has been killed, the USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F.)
- 8. If adding cheese: remove the pan from the heat and place the cheese atop the burgers. Cover the skillet and allow the residual heat/steam to melt the cheese.
- 9. Serve on toasted buns topped with your favorite toppings.
Instructions
- Stovetop Burgers - How to Cook Burgers on the Stove
- Cooking burgers on the stove is a quick and easy method that yields juicy hamburgers or cheeseburgers. Forget the grill and use this recipe any time of year!Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
- Ingredients:
- - 1 pound ground chuck (80%-85% lean)
- - kosher or sea salt to taste
- - freshly ground black pepper to taste
- - 4 slices American or Cheddar Cheese
- - 4 Burger Buns
- - Condiments of choice such as ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
- - Toppings such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles.
- Instructions:
- 1. Place ground chuck in a medium-size mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Mix gently to combine, but don’t overwork the meat.
- 2. Divide the meat into four equal portions.
- 3. Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch thick, round patty. (The patty should not be smooth – leave some craggy edges and don’t press it too flat.)
- 4. With your thumb or fingers, press a “moat”, approximately ¼-½ inch from the edge, around the circumference of the burger - be sure the edge of the burger is a little higher than the indentation. This will ensure the burger will flatten out while cooking. Repeat this process with each portion.
- 5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, carefully place the patties in the skillet (no need to grease skillet) leaving some space between each patty.
- 6. Cook the burgers until nicely seared and they have browned halfway up the sides.
- 7. Flip the burgers and cook to your liking. (*NOTE - To ensure all bacteria has been killed, the USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F.)
- 8. If adding cheese: remove the pan from the heat and place the cheese atop the burgers. Cover the skillet and allow the residual heat/steam to melt the cheese.
- 9. Serve on toasted buns topped with your favorite toppings.
- 10. Enjoy!
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Keywords: how to cook burgers on the stove, stovetop burgers
- Nutrition Facts: Calories: 485 kcal, Carbs: 22 g, Protein: 27 g, Fat: 30 g, Saturated Fat: 12 g, Cholesterol: 101 mg, Sodium: 641 mg, Sugar: 3 g