Cheeseburger Recipe

Form patties

Place the 1 lb ground beef in a bowl. Sprinkle the 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper over the meat and add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce if using. Gently fold the seasonings into the beef with your hands or a spatula 6–8 times — do not overwork. Divide the meat into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Form each portion into a patty about 3/4 to 1 inch thick, making a shallow 1/2-inch diameter indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb (this helps prevent doming while cooking).

Preheat pan or grill

Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot (about 3–4 minutes). If using an outdoor grill, preheat to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). Add 1 tsp neutral oil to the pan and spread; if grilling, oil the grates lightly.

Cook patties

Place the patties on the hot pan or grill, indentation side up. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes to develop a brown crust. Flip once with a spatula and cook another 2–4 minutes for medium doneness. Adjust time +1–2 minutes per side for more well done or -1 minute per side for rarer doneness. During the last 30–60 seconds of cooking, place one slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the pan with a lid (or close the grill lid) to melt the cheese.

While patties cook, split the 2 burger buns and spread 1 tsp softened butter on each cut side. Toast the buns face-down in a clean skillet over medium heat or on the grill for 1–2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.

Mix 2 tsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp yellow mustard, and 1 tbsp ketchup in a small bowl. Taste and adjust; this will be the burger spread.

Prepare toppings while buns toast: thinly slice 1/4 cup red onion, slice the tomato into 4 slices, wash and dry 2 leaves of iceberg lettuce, and have 4 dill pickle slices ready.

Optionally sprinkle 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper over the tomato slices to bring out flavor.

Spread a half of the prepared mayo-mustard-ketchup on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place 1 lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, then the cheesy beef patty. Top each patty with 2 tomato slices, red onion (as desired), and 2 pickle slices. Spread a small amount of the remaining sauce on the top bun and close the burger.

Serve immediately while hot. Optionally serve with fries or a side salad.