Description
This recipe for The Best Ever Cheeseburgers features juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patties cooked in a cast iron skillet and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Accompanied by a tangy, homemade burger sauce and classic fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, these cheeseburgers deliver a delicious and satisfying meal ideal for any burger lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cheeseburgers
- 2 pounds ground beef, 20% fat
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter (divided)
- 6 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 6 Brioche hamburger buns
- Green leaf lettuce
- Sliced tomato
- Sliced red onion
- Dill pickle hamburger chips
Instructions
- Prepare Burger Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine mayonnaise and ketchup, whisking until smooth. Add dill pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cayenne pepper, then whisk again to fully incorporate all ingredients. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce while preparing the cheeseburgers to let the flavors meld.
- Form Burger Patties: Gently shape the ground beef into six even patties approximately 1 inch thick, taking care not to overwork the meat to keep the burgers tender. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook Patties – First Batch: Heat 1 tablespoon of salted butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place three patties into the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes on the first side until a light char forms. Flip the patties and cook an additional 4 minutes or until cooked to your desired degree of doneness. Place a slice of cheddar cheese atop each patty and allow it to melt. If needed, transfer the cooked patties to a 200°F oven to keep warm while cooking the remaining patties.
- Cook Patties – Second Batch: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and repeat the cooking process with the remaining three patties, cooking and melting cheese in the same manner.
- Assemble Cheeseburgers: Toast the brioche hamburger buns lightly. Place each cheese-topped patty on a bun bottom, add a generous spoonful of homemade burger sauce, then layer with green leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, red onion, and dill pickle chips as desired. Cap with the bun top and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use 20% fat ground beef to ensure juicy, flavorful burgers that don’t dry out during cooking.
- For extra flavor, consider searing the patties in a cast iron skillet for a nice crust before melting the cheese.
- Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven to maintain juiciness while finishing the batch.
- The homemade burger sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on preference, including pickles, onions, or avocado slices.
- Butter the buns lightly before toasting for a richer flavor and better texture.
