Cooking The Perfect Philly Cheeseburger: Timing And Tips

The Philly Cheesesteak Burger is a hearty, indulgent, and classic American dish. It is a twist on the traditional Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, which originated in Philadelphia and typically consists of shaved beef, onions, and cheese. The Philly Cheesesteak Burger combines the elements of a cheesesteak sandwich with a burger, resulting in a unique and flavourful dish. In this article, we will explore the ingredients, cooking process, and serving suggestions for this mouthwatering burger.

How long to cook the beef patty

The Philly Cheeseburger is a delicious combination of two American classics: the cheesesteak and the cheeseburger. The cheeseburger patty is a key component of this mouth-watering dish.

When making the beef patty for your Philly Cheeseburger, it's important to start with the right type of ground beef. A blend of 80% lean meat and 20% fat is ideal. You'll need about 6 ounces of beef for each patty, and it's important not to overwork the meat when shaping it. Form the beef into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick. Use your thumb to make a depression in the centre of the patty; this will prevent it from bulging as it cooks.

Before cooking, brush the patty with a little canola oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like oregano and garlic pepper to the beef mixture before shaping it into patties.

Now, it's time to grill your patty. Preheat your grill or cast-iron grill pan to high. Place the patty on the grill and cook until golden brown and slightly charred, turning only once. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare burger, grill for about 7 minutes. If you prefer your burger more well-done, increase the cooking time slightly.

Once your patty is almost done, it's time to add the cheese. Place two slices of aged provolone on top of the patty during the last minute of grilling. The residual heat will melt the cheese, creating that irresistible gooey texture.

And there you have it! A perfectly cooked beef patty for your Philly Cheeseburger, complete with melted provolone cheese. Assemble your burger with your favourite toppings and enjoy this delicious fusion of cheesesteak and cheeseburger flavours!

When to add cheese to the patty

There are differing opinions on the best time to add cheese to your Philly cheeseburger patty. Some sources suggest that the best time to add cheese is just minutes before the meat is finished cooking. This will give the cheese enough time to melt without overdoing it. The exact timing will depend on how well-done you like your meat. For example, if you're cooking a medium-well burger over high heat, you should add the cheese after about seven minutes of grilling, then close the grill's lid and let the heat melt the cheese as the patty finishes cooking.

On the other hand, some sources suggest that you should only add cheese to the top bun after the burger is done cooking. The argument here is that cheese doesn't need a lot of heat to melt, and the residual heat from the patty will be enough to melt the cheese after the burger is removed from the grill. Adding the cheese to the patty while it's still on the grill can lead to the cheese melting too thinly and folding up and congealing on the side of the burger, resulting in a less-than-ideal cheese distribution.

To ensure the cheese melts evenly, it's recommended to slice or grate firm cheeses like cheddar, and crumble softer cheeses.

Regardless of when you add the cheese, remember to consider the other components of your Philly cheeseburger. Sautéed onions, peppers, and mushrooms are common toppings, as is hot sauce.

How to prepare the toppings

The Philly Cheesesteak Burger is a delicious combination of steak, peppers, and onions, topped with cheese. Here's a detailed guide on preparing the toppings for this mouth-watering burger:

Slicing the Vegetables

Start by thinly slicing a yellow onion and a green bell pepper. You can also add some red peppers for extra colour and flavour. It's important to cut the vegetables into thin slivers or strips to ensure they cook evenly and melt into the burger for that classic Philly cheesesteak experience.

Cooking the Vegetables

Heat some butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat. You can also add a bit of canola oil or butter for extra flavour. Once the pan is hot, add the sliced onions and cook them for around 10-15 minutes until they start to caramelize and turn golden. Keep an eye on them and stir occasionally to prevent burning.

After the onions are nicely caramelized, add the sliced green bell peppers to the pan. Cook this mixture for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. You can also add some red pepper flakes or seasoning for an extra kick. Once the peppers are tender and lightly browned, your veggie topping is ready to set aside.

Choosing the Cheese

The traditional cheese used in Philly cheesesteak burgers is Provolone, known for its mild, creamy flavour and excellent melting properties. However, if you want to get creative, you can use Cheez Whiz, which is actually the most popular choice at the original cheesesteak restaurant in Philadelphia. Provolone provides a gooey, cheesy element, while Cheez Whiz can get a little messy but is loved by many.

Melting the Cheese

After your patties are grilled to perfection, it's time to melt the cheese. Place a slice of Provolone on top of each patty and let it melt slowly. If using Cheez Whiz, you can warm it up in a saucepan or microwave-safe dish before adding it to your burger.

Optional Extras

While the classic Philly Cheesesteak Burger shines with its simple combination of steak, peppers, and onions, you can also add some optional extras. Consider garnishing your burger with fresh thyme, adding a tangy twist with pickles, or spreading some aioli or mayonnaise on the top bun.

Now that your toppings are ready, it's time to assemble the burger. Place the patty with melted cheese on the bottom bun, pile on the delicious pepper and onion topping, and finish with the top bun. Serve it hot and enjoy the perfect blend of flavours in every bite!

How to assemble the burger

To assemble the Philly Cheese Burger, you'll need to start with the bottom bun. Place the cooked patty with the melted cheese on top of the bun. You can use Provolone, Cheez Whiz, or both!

Next, add your chosen toppings. The classic Philly cheesesteak includes grilled onions and green bell peppers, but you can also add toppings like lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, red peppers, hot sauce, or pickles. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add Cheez Whiz, blue cheese, or nacho cheese sauce.

Finally, place the top bun on your burger. Secure it with a toothpick if needed, and your Philly Cheese Burger is ready to be served and enjoyed!

Some recipes suggest spreading mayonnaise, aioli, or another sauce on the inside of the buns before adding the toppings. You can also toast the buns in a pan with some butter before assembling the burger.

How to store and reheat leftovers

If you have leftover Philly cheeseburgers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat your cheeseburger, there are a few different methods you can use: the microwave, the oven, or the stovetop.

Microwave:

Let the burger rest at room temperature for 10 minutes, then separate the contents into different piles: the buns, patty, toppings, and condiments. Scrape off most of the cheese and condiments from the patty and buns, as these can be replaced with fresh ones. Place the patty on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on low power for 1-2 minutes or until warm. For the buns, wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel and heat at 30-50% power for about 60 seconds. Finally, reassemble your burger!

Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Place the patty on a metal rack set over a baking sheet to catch any grease drippings. Put the patty in the oven for 3 minutes, then flip it over and add the buns to the rack for the remaining 2 minutes. If desired, add a fresh slice of cheese to the patty during the last minute of heating. Remove from the oven, reassemble your burger, and enjoy!

Stovetop:

Place the patty in a small pan and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and let the patty steam on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Remove the lid and add a fresh slice of cheese, if desired, letting it melt for 30-60 seconds. Take the patty out of the pan and let it rest on a paper towel-lined plate for 30 seconds before reassembling your burger.

If you're feeling creative, you can also use your leftover cheeseburger patty to make a delicious cheeseburger omelette for brunch! Simply chop up the patty, sauté it with onion, and load it into a cheesy omelette.

Frequently asked questions