Cheeseburger Recipe

Name: Wills Hawaiian BBQs Cheeseburger Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce (optional); 1 tbs vegetable oil or neutral oil; 4 slices American cheese slices (or cheddar); 4 count hamburger buns; 2 tbs unsalted butter, softened; 4 tsp mayonnaise; 4 count lettuce leaves; 1 count tomato, sliced; 0.25 count red onion, thinly sliced; 8 count dill pickle slices

Inspired by Wills Hawaiian BBQ

Time30m

Serves4

Grilled or fried patty with cheese on a 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.

Burger Patties

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce (optional)

1 tbs vegetable oil or neutral oil

Cheese

4 slices American cheese slices (or cheddar)

Buns & Spread

4 count hamburger buns

2 tbs unsalted butter, softened

4 tsp Mayonnaise

Toppings (optional)

4 count Lettuce leaves

1 count tomato, sliced

1/4 count Red onion, thinly sliced

8 count dill pickle slices

Method

Burger Patties

Form Patties

Place the ground beef in a bowl. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (if using) over the meat. Gently mix with your hands just until combined—do not overwork. Divide into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each) and shape each into a patty about 3½ inches wide and 3/4 inch thick, making a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly.

Cook Patties

Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil, spreading it to coat the surface. When the pan is hot and shimmering, add the patties without crowding (work in batches if needed). For a grill, preheat to medium-high and oil the grates. Cook the patties 3–4 minutes on the first side without moving them, until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes on the second side for medium doneness. Adjust time 1–2 minutes for rarer or more well-done burgers.

Melt Cheese

About 30–45 seconds before the patties are done, place one cheese slice on each patty. Cover the pan with a lid or, on a grill, move the patties to a cooler part of the grill and close the lid briefly to help the cheese melt evenly.

Buns & Spread

While the patties cook, split the hamburger buns and spread about 1/2 tsp mayonnaise on the bottom halves. Spread about 1/2 tsp butter on the cut side of the top halves.

Toast Buns: In a clean skillet or on the grill, place buns cut-side down and toast over medium heat until golden and lightly crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Assemble & Serve

Place the toasted bottom bun on a plate. If using, add a lettuce leaf and 1–2 tomato slices. Place the hot cheeseburger patty on top of the toppings (cheese side up). Add preferred toppings: 2 pickle slices and a few onion rings. Spread remaining mayonnaise on the top bun if desired, then place the top bun on the burger.

Serve immediately with fries, chips, or a side salad.