Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Merle's Whiskey Kitchen›Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

Inspired by Merle's Whiskey Kitchen
Time30m
Serves2

Juicy beef patty with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a brioche bun.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patty

Toppings

Bun

Optional Condiments

Method

Preparing the Beef Patty

  1. 1

    Mix the Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; avoid overworking the meat.

  2. 2

    Form the Patties

    Divide the mixture into two equal portions. Gently shape each portion into a round patty, about 3/4-inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.

Cooking the Burger

  1. 3

    Preheat the Grill or Skillet

    Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or a skillet over medium-high heat. If using a skillet, add a little oil to prevent sticking.

  2. 4

    Cook the Patties

    Place the patties on the grill or skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side. Flip the patties and add a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the patty reaches your desired doneness.

Assembling the Burger

  1. 5

    Prep the Vegetables

    While the patties are cooking, slice the tomato and red onion. Wash the lettuce leaves and pat them dry.

  2. 6

    Build the Burger

    Toast the brioche buns on the grill or in a toaster if desired. On the bottom half of each bun, layer the lettuce, cooked beef patty with melted cheese, tomato slices, and red onion rings. Add any desired condiments, then top with the other half of the bun.

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