Classic Cheeseburger

Tags: #meat #beef #burger Serving: 4 burgers Total time: 30 minutes

Juicy seared 80/20 beef patties with melted American cheese on toasted buns and classic fixings.

Ingredients

• 480 g ground beef (80% lean)
• 6 g fine sea salt
• 2 g freshly ground black pepper
• 80 g American cheese slices (4 slices)
• 320 g burger buns (4 buns)
• 20 g unsalted butter, softened
• 10 ml neutral oil
• 40 ml ketchup
• 20 ml yellow mustard
• 80 g iceberg lettuce leaves
• 160 g ripe tomato, sliced
• 80 g onion, thinly sliced
• 60 g dill pickle chips
• 10 ml water

Steps

1. Preheat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
2. Split the burger buns horizontally.
3. Spread the butter on the cut sides of the buns.
4. Toast the buns cut-side down in the skillet until golden.
5. Transfer the toasted buns to a tray.
6. Divide the ground beef into 4 portions of 120 g each.
7. Shape each portion into a loose ball.
8. Press each ball into a 10 cm wide, 1.5 cm thick patty.
9. Press a shallow dimple in the center of each patty.
10. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the top sides of the patties.
11. Sprinkle the pepper evenly over the top sides of the patties.
12. Add the oil to the hot skillet.
13. Place the patties salt-side down in the skillet.
14. Sprinkle the remaining salt on the exposed sides of the patties.
15. Sprinkle the remaining pepper on the exposed sides of the patties.
16. Cook the patties for 3 minutes without moving.
17. Flip the patties with a thin metal spatula.
18. Cook the patties for 2 minutes.
19. Place one slice of American cheese on each patty.
20. Pour the water into the skillet near the patties.
21. Cover the skillet with a lid.
22. Steam until the cheese melts, about 30–45 seconds.
23. Transfer the patties to a rack to rest for 1 minute.
24. Spread the ketchup on the bottom buns.
25. Spread the mustard on the top buns.
26. Place the lettuce on the bottom buns.
27. Place the tomato slices on the lettuce.
28. Scatter the onion slices over the tomato.