Cast Iron Skillet Burgers are not your average burgers. They are a mouthwatering blend of tender, flavorful patties cooked on the stovetop. In just 8 minutes, you can have a juicy medium-rare burger that you can customize with all your favorite toppings. Trust us, this will be your new favorite way to prepare burgers!
Burgers are a classic option that never fails to please. The cast iron skillet ensures that the meat cooks evenly, giving you a charred outside and a tender, juicy inside that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
About This Burger
- Taste – This cast iron burger is bursting with flavor. The combination of the rich burger patty, decadent cheese, and brioche bun creates a mouthwatering experience.
- Texture – Sink your teeth into a juicy patty with a charred crust. The other ingredients add firmness and a satisfying crunch.
- Effort – Don’t let the deliciousness fool you. This stovetop burger is incredibly simple to make. Mix, cook, assemble, and enjoy!
- Time – Prep time is a breeze, taking only about 7 minutes. The cooking process itself is even quicker, with just 8 minutes to achieve burger perfection.
Ingredients
To make these irresistible burgers, you’ll need:
- Neutral cooking oil – Use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil. These options have a high smoke point, ensuring that your burger patties won’t burn.
- Lean ground beef – Choose from lean ground chuck, sirloin, brisket, or wagyu (top sirloin). Each option brings its own fantastic flavor to the table.
- Brioche bun – This fluffy, buttery bun adds richness and a subtle sweetness that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Sliced cheese – Pick your favorite sliced cheese, such as sharp cheddar, white cheddar, gruyere, or bleu cheese, to take your burger to the next level.
- Onions – Caramelized onions offer a rich and unique flavor, while thinly sliced raw onions provide a bright and pungent kick.
- Lettuce – Romaine, butter lettuce, or arugula add a light, refreshing crunch to balance the bold flavors of the burger.
- Tomato – Opt for beefsteak tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes for their juiciness and sweet tanginess. Choose a tomato that matches the width of the burger for the perfect fit.
- Ketchup – Classic ketchup brings a sweet, vinegary, and slightly tomatoey flavor to the burger.
Substitutions
Feel free to make these adjustments to suit your personal preferences:
- Wagyu – For a truly indulgent experience, try rich and marbled wagyu beef in place of standard ground beef.
- Cheese – Experiment with different cheeses, such as gruyere, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, gouda, or muenster, to find your favorite combination.
- Regular onions – If you prefer a sharper bite, use regular onions instead of caramelized onions.
- Arugula – Add a delicious peppery kick by substituting arugula for lettuce.
- Bun – Explore different buns, such as classic white, sesame seed, potato, or pretzel, to switch up the flavor and texture.
- Gluten-free – Use gluten-free hamburger buns to make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
- Fattier meat – Opt for a ground beef patty with 80% lean/20% fat if you want a slightly richer taste.
Variations
Here are a few tasty variations to consider:
- Hamburger – For a classic option, skip the cheese and enjoy a delicious hamburger.
- Fried Egg Burger – Add a sunny-side-up or an over-easy egg for an extra protein boost and a delectable runny yolk.
- Jalapeño – Spice things up by adding sliced jalapeños to your burger. Use pickled jalapeños for a milder kick or fresh jalapeños for extra heat.
- Pesto – Add a nutty zest to your burger by spreading basil or kale pesto on the bun.
- Truffle Salt – Enhance the flavors with a sprinkle of truffle salt for a hint of umami.
- Pickles – For a briny twist, add sliced pickles to your burger.
- Bacon – Take it to the next level of indulgence by adding crispy bacon for a mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger.
Instructions
Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process:
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Mix meat and form patties – In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, garlic powder, sea or kosher salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix. Form the meat into 4 equal-sized patties and create an indentation in the middle of each patty with your thumb. This prevents the meat from puffing up in the center while cooking.
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Cook patties – Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, then add oil. After about 2 minutes, place the patties in the pan. For medium-rare burgers, cook each side for 4 minutes. If your skillet is small, cook 2 patties at a time.
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Add cheese – In the last minute of cooking, add cheese on top of each patty, if desired. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to melt. Remove the skillet from the heat once the cheese has melted.
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Toast buns – While the patties cook, toast the hamburger buns until they are golden brown and still soft.
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Assemble burgers – On the toasted buns, assemble your burger with ketchup or your preferred spread, lettuce, tomato, and raw sliced or grilled onions. Feel free to add any other toppings you desire.
Pro tip: Let the ground beef patties sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. This will ensure more even cooking.
What to Serve with This Burger
This skillet burger recipe pairs perfectly with a variety of sides. We recommend serving it with Parmesan Truffle Fries, Spicy Cajun Fries, or Classic Seasoned Fries for a delightful combination. For a well-rounded meal, add some veggies on the side, like Elotes Style Corn with Furikake or Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers.
Burger Spreads
While a simple burger is delightful on its own, you can take it to new heights by adding a delicious spread. We love dressing our burgers with In-N-Out sauce or Wasabi Aioli for some extra flair. And if you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss out on our Spicy Sriracha Aioli.
Recipe FAQs
If you’re wondering about the equipment needed, fear not. For this recipe, you’ll only need a few kitchen essentials: a mixing bowl, knife, cutting board, spatula, and a trusty cast iron skillet. Don’t worry if you don’t have a cast iron skillet – you can use a non-stick pan, standard skillet, or griddle instead.
Storage
Have leftovers? No problem. Store your cast iron burgers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To keep the ingredients fresh, store the wet ingredients (burger, lettuce, tomato, onion) separately from the dry ingredients (buns). When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, let the patty and grilled onions temper at room temperature for 15 minutes, then reheat them in a skillet over low heat until hot.
Did You Like This Recipe?
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Now, it’s time to fire up your cast iron skillet and savor the incredible flavors of this one-of-a-kind burger. Enjoy!
