Famous Star® With Cheese Recipe

Form Patties

Divide 8 oz (225 g) ground beef into four equal portions (about 2 oz/55 g each). Lightly press each portion into a very thin round patty, about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and roughly 1/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb so they cook evenly.

Season both sides of each patty with a light sprinkle of salt (about 1/8 tsp per side) and a light grind of black pepper. Do not overwork the meat when forming patties; handle gently so they remain tender.

Preheat Grill or Griddle

Preheat a cast-iron griddle, flat top, or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (about 4–6 minutes). If using an outdoor grill, preheat to medium-high and oil the grates with the neutral oil to prevent sticking.

Cook Patties

Place the thin patties on the hot griddle or grill. Cook undisturbed for 60–75 seconds until well browned on the bottom. Flip and cook the second side for 45–60 seconds. Because these patties are thin, they cook quickly; target an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) if measuring, but visually they should be browned and cooked through.

Assemble Double Stack

For each sandwich: place one hot patty on the bottom bun, top it with a slice of American cheese, then immediately place a second hot patty on top of the cheese. Top the second patty with another slice of American cheese so both layers have melted cheese between and over them. Allow the residual heat to melt the cheese (about 20–30 seconds).

Add diced onions and pickle slices on top of the cheese layer if using. Spread ketchup evenly on the top bun (about 1/2 tablespoon per sandwich) and mustard (about 1/4 teaspoon per sandwich) if desired, then crown the burger with the top bun.

Serve immediately while hot. Optionally, wrap briefly in foil for 30–60 seconds to help cheese fully meld and to hold heat before serving.