how to cook burgers on the stove

Question

Here's how to cook delicious and juicy burgers on the stovetop:

Answer 1

Here's how to cook delicious and juicy burgers on the stovetop:

Ingredients:

• Ground beef (choose your preferred fat content, like 80/20 or 90/10)
• Hamburger buns
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cooking oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil work well)
• Optional additions: Chopped onion, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, cheese slices

Equipment:

• Cast iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed frying pan
• Spatula
• Burger press (optional)

Instructions:

1. Shape the patties: Start with cold ground beef. Gently form the meat into patties slightly larger than the size of your hamburger buns. Making a dimple in the center of each patty helps prevent them from puffing up in the middle while cooking. You can use a burger press for uniform thickness, but it's not necessary.

2. Season the patties: Season both sides of the patties generously with salt and black pepper. You can also incorporate other seasonings like chopped onion, grated garlic, or Worcestershire sauce into the raw meat if desired.

3. Heat the pan: Heat your cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of cooking oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan.

4. Sear the burgers: Once the oil is hot (a drop of water should sizzle when it hits the pan), carefully place the patties in the pan. Don't overcrowd the pan, cook them in batches if necessary. Sear the burgers for 2-3 minutes per side for a medium-rare doneness. If you prefer your burgers more cooked, add an additional minute or two per side.

5. Cheese time (optional): If you're using cheese, place a slice on each burger patty during the last minute of cooking. Let the cheese melt over the burger.

6. Resting: Once cooked to your desired doneness, transfer the burgers to a plate and tent them loosely with foil. Let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy burger.

7. Toast the buns (optional): While the burgers are resting, you can toast the hamburger buns in the same skillet you cooked the burgers in. Simply add a little butter to the pan and toast the buns until lightly browned.

8. Assemble and serve: Place your cooked burger patty on the bottom bun, add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and your favorite burger sauce. Top it with the toasted bun and enjoy!

Here are some additional tips for cooking burgers on the stove:

• Don't overwork the meat: When forming the patties, handle the ground beef as little as possible to avoid making them tough.
• Use the right temperature: Don't overcrowd the pan and cook the burgers over medium-high heat to maintain a good sear.
• Don't press the burgers: Resist the urge to press down on the burgers while they cook. This can squeeze out the juices and lead to dry burgers.
• Internal temperature for safety: The safe minimum internal temperature for ground beef is 160°F (71°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burgers.

By following these steps and tips, you can cook restaurant-quality burgers right at home on your stovetop!