Jun 09 2026
RestaurantsThirsty LionClassic Cheeseburger Recipe

Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

Inspired by Thirsty Lion
Time30m
Serves2

Charbroiled beef patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a toasted bun.

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

Burger Assembly

Method

Prepare the Beef Patty

  1. 1

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

  2. 2

    Form Patties

    Divide the mixture into two equal portions and shape each portion into a patty about 1 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent puffing during cooking.

Cook the Patties

  1. 3

    Preheat the Grill

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

  2. 4

    Grill the Patties

    Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side. Flip the patties and place a slice of cheddar cheese on top. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Assemble the Burger

  1. 5

    Toast the Buns

    While the patties are cooking, toast the hamburger buns on the grill for about 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

  2. 6

    Layer the Ingredients

    On the bottom half of each toasted bun, place a leaf of lettuce, followed by a slice of tomato (sliced from the medium tomato), half of the sliced onion, and a few slices of pickles. Place the grilled patty with melted cheese on top, and finish with the top half of the bun.

More from Thirsty Lion