Original Beef Recipe
Grilled premium beef patty, mayo, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, tomato, sautéed onions, and cheddar cheese
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Beef Patty
Sautéed Onions
Buns & Spread
Toppings
Method
Beef Patty
Form patties
Divide the 1 lb ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz / 225 g each). Gently form each portion into a patty about 3/4" to 1" thick, making a slight indentation in the center with your thumb to reduce dome-shape during cooking. Handle the meat as little as possible to keep patties tender.
Season
Season both sides of each patty evenly with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (use the total listed under ingredients).
Cook patties
Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill to medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil to the skillet and swirl to coat. Place patties in the hot pan and cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes for medium-rare to medium (internal temp 130–140°F / 54–60°C). For medium-well, cook 3-4 minutes after flipping. During the last 60–90 seconds of cooking, place a cheddar slice on each patty and cover the skillet or close the grill lid to melt the cheese.
Sautéed Onions
Slice onion
Peel and thinly slice the yellow onion to yield about 1 cup sliced.
Cook onions
In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add the sliced onions and stir to coat. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 6–8 minutes. If you want light caramelization, sprinkle 1 teaspoon brown sugar over the onions after 6 minutes, then continue cooking another 3–5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Buns & Spread
Toast buns
Spread 1 tablespoon softened butter on cut sides of the 2 burger buns. Toast buttered sides in a clean skillet over medium heat or on the grill for 1–2 minutes until golden and slightly crisp. Remove and keep warm.
Prepare spreads
Mix or place mayonnaise and ketchup into small bowls. Spread 1 tablespoon mayo on the bottom half of each bun and 1 tablespoon ketchup on the top half of each bun (use the quantities listed under ingredients).
Assemble Burger
On the bottom bun (mayo-smeared), place a lettuce leaf, then a slice or two of tomato (use 2–3 slices from the 1 tomato). Place the hot cheddar-topped beef patty directly on the tomato so juices and heat soften flavors. Spoon a generous portion of the sautéed onions on top of the melted cheese. Add pickles (3 slices per burger) over the onions. Cap with the ketchup-spread top bun. Press gently to compact the burger slightly and serve immediately.