Jumbo Hamburger Recipe

Mix and portion

Place the ground beef in a large bowl. Add kosher salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Gently fold the seasonings into the meat with your hands or a spatula until just combined — do not overwork. Divide the mixture into four equal portions (about 8 ounces / 225 g each for a large 'jumbo' patty).

Form patties

Shape each portion into a loose ball, then press into a round patty roughly 5–6 inches in diameter and about 3/4 inch thick. Make a shallow 1/2 inch-wide indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly and reduce puffing.

Cook patties

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil, swirling to coat. When very hot and shimmering, place patties in the pan leaving space between them. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until a brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip once and cook another 3 minutes for medium (adjust 1–2 minutes more for medium-well). During the last 1 minute of cooking, place a slice of cheddar (or cheese combination) on each patty and cover the pan briefly with a lid to melt the cheese.

Prepare spreads: In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.

Toast buns: Melt the unsalted butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Split the buns and place cut sides down in the butter. Toast until golden-brown and crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Prepare produce: Thinly slice the red onion into rings, slice the tomato into 4 thick rounds, and separate/ rinse the lettuce leaves. If you prefer smaller patties, you can quarter or halve the tomato slices to distribute across burgers.

Assemble: Spread about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise-mustard-ketchup mixture on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a lettuce leaf, then a cheesy beef patty on each bun. Top each patty with two pickle slices, a couple onion rings, and a tomato slice. Add cooked bacon (2 strips per burger) or avocado/pickled jalapeños if using. Spread a thin layer of mayo mixture on the top bun and place on top.

Serve immediately: Insert a long skewer or sandwich pick through each burger if needed to hold it together. Serve the jumbo hamburgers hot with fries, potato chips, or a side salad.

Storage: Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep buns and fresh toppings separate to avoid sogginess. Reheat patties in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.