Hamburger Patty
There are so many delicious hamburgers out there that I truly believe there’s one for every occasion — crispy-edged smash burgers perfect for late-night consumption, umami-packed Oklahoma onion burgers for the nostalgic types, and gooey cheeseburger sliders for feeding a crowd. This burger, though, is what I consider to be the platonic ideal of a hamburger — plump, meaty, juicy, and classic. It takes just four ingredients and relies on the meat itself to create a hamburger patty that is worthy of whatever toppings you decide to gild it with, from American cheese to sliced avocado.
Ingredients
- 4 (about 3-inch wide) hamburger buns, split
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably 80% lean
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices cheese, such as American or Swiss (optional)
- Topping options: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, condiments, avocado, cooked bacon
- Toast 4 split hamburger buns in a 350ºF toaster oven or oven until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Divide 1 pound ground beef into four portions. Working quickly and gently, shape each portion into a roughly 3/4 to 1-inch thick patty that’s slightly wider than the hamburger bun. Avoid overhandling the meat, which will create a tougher patty. Season the patties all over with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Option 1: Stovetop
- Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Add the hamburger patties and cook until a dark brown crust forms on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties. Top each patty with 1 slice cheese if desired. Cook until the second side is browned and the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes more for medium. Use an instant-read thermometer to test for temperature: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well.
- Transfer each patty onto the bottom half of a bun. Add desired toppings and close with the top half of the buns.
Option 2: Outdoor Grill
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high (about 450°F). Scrape the grill grates clean if needed. Place the hamburger patties on the grill and grill uncovered until dark grill marks form on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Use a thin, flat spatula to flip the patties. Top each patty with 1 slice cheese if desired. Grill until the second side is browned and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more for medium. Use an instant-read thermometer to test for temperature: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well.
- Transfer each patty onto the bottom half of a bun. Add desired toppings and close with the top half of the buns.