Classic Burger recipe served on a plate, by The Iowa Taproom
Jul 09 2026
Restaurants›The Iowa Taproom›Classic Burger Recipe

Classic Burger Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time30m
Serves2

Juicy beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patty

Toppings

Other

Method

Prepare the Burger Patty

  1. 1

    Combine Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.

  2. 2

    Shape the Patties

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

Cook the Patties

  1. 3

    Preheat the Grill or Skillet

    Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.

  2. 4

    Cook the Patties

    Place the patties on the grill or skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes for medium doneness. If using cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking to let it melt.

Assemble the Burger

  1. 5

    Prepare the Toppings

    While the patties are cooking, slice the tomato and onion into thin rings.

  2. 6

    Build the Burger

    On the bottom half of each burger bun, place a lettuce leaf, followed by the cooked patty (with cheese if using), tomato slices, and onion rings. Add ketchup and mustard to taste, then cover with the top half of the bun.

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