Randy Chandler
There are many ways to cook a cheeseburger, but one of the most important steps is ensuring that the cheese is in the middle. To achieve this, separate your beef into equal portions and roll each into a ball, before pressing down into a patty. It is important to dent the middle of the patty, as this will prevent the patty from doming when cooking and reducing shrinkage. Once your patty is ready, heat your skillet to a medium/high heat and add oil. When the oil is hot, add the patty and cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip the patty and add your cheese, covering the pan if the cheese is not melting fast enough.
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What You'll Learn
Forming the beef into patties
To form the beef into patties, divide the ground beef into four equal portions, or eight if you're making double cheeseburgers. Roll each portion into balls and then gently press down into round patties. The patties should be slightly larger than your bun to allow for shrinkage during cooking. For example, for a 10cm (4") bun, make a patty that is 12cm (4.7") wide and 1cm (0.4") thick.
Before cooking, make a shallow indentation or dimple in the centre of each patty. This can be done by using your fingertips to pat the middle of the patty to make it slightly thinner than the outer edge. This technique is used to prevent the patty from doming in the middle during cooking, which can cause the patty to shrink. It also helps to reduce the overall shrinkage of the patty, ensuring a flat and even cooking surface without the need to squash the burger down as it cooks.
If you're using a cast-iron skillet, heat it over medium-high heat and add a high-heat cooking oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, add the patty and sauté for 3-5 minutes on each side. If you don't have a skillet, a regular frying pan can be used, but it's recommended to use a splatter guard to prevent grease from splattering.
For a smash burger, place a ball of meat on a hot, unoiled griddle and firmly smash it down into a flat, thin disk. This technique increases the contact points between the meat and the cooking surface, creating a rich brown crust that enhances the flavour of the burger.
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Toasting the buns
Choosing the Right Bun:
Start by selecting a quality bun; brioche buns are a premium choice, but any soft white bun that isn't too large will work. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bun that is slightly smaller than your patty to ensure a balanced burger.
Stove-Top Method:
If you're cooking for a small group or just making a single cheeseburger, the stove-top method is ideal. Melt butter in a frying pan, ensuring that the pan is evenly coated. Place the sliced side of the bun into the melted butter and let it cook for about a minute. Keep a close eye on the bun, as it can burn quickly. If you're feeling adventurous, you can use mayonnaise instead of butter. Spread the mayonnaise on the bun and then place it in the pan. Mayonnaise will also toast up beautifully and give your bun a unique flavour.
Oven Method:
When cooking for a larger group, the oven method is more efficient. Preheat your oven and place the buns, buttered sides down, on a baking sheet. Cook them until the bread is toasted and lightly golden, which usually takes around 3 to 5 minutes.
Grill Method:
If you're grilling your cheeseburger, take advantage of the heat source and toast your bun on the grill. Place the buns, buttered sides down, away from direct flames. Let them cook for about a minute until you see grill marks on the bun.
Adding Extra Flavour:
For an extra flavour boost, try this special spread: in a small bowl, combine melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic salt. Spread this mixture on the cut sides of your buns before toasting them. You can also sprinkle some parsley on top for added freshness.
No matter which method you choose, toasting your buns will enhance the overall cheeseburger experience. It's a simple step that makes your burger extraordinary!
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Adding cheese at the right time
It's important to note that the cooking time for the cheeseburger will depend on your preferred doneness. For a medium-rare burger, cook until there is just a bit of pinkish-red in the very middle. If you prefer your burger more well-done, continue cooking until the pinkish-red color disappears. However, be cautious not to overcook the burger, as this can result in a dry and crumbly texture.
To ensure food safety, it is recommended to cook the burger patty to an internal temperature of 160°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that salting the beef just before cooking is advisable, as salting too early can toughen the meat.
When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your cheeseburger, thick-sliced medium cheddar is a popular option. However, you can also use processed cheese slices, often labelled as "burger cheese" in grocery stores.
Remember, the key to a successful cheeseburger with cheese in the middle is to add the cheese right after flipping the patty and adjusting your cooking time based on your desired doneness. Enjoy crafting your delicious cheeseburger!
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Cooking the patty
To cook the perfect patty for your cheeseburger, there are a few key steps to follow. First, you'll want to shape your beef into a ball, then gently press it down into a patty that is slightly wider than your bun to allow for shrinkage during cooking. It's important to create a dimple or indent in the centre of your patty—this prevents the patty from doming and reduces shrinkage during cooking.
When you're ready to cook, heat your skillet or pan to medium-high heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan, but it's important to grease the pan with butter or oil to prevent sticking. If you're using a cast-iron skillet, heat it first, then add a small amount of high-heat cooking oil to coat the bottom.
Once your pan is hot, place your patty in the centre. It should sizzle as it hits the pan. If you're cooking a smash burger, firmly press the patty into the pan to create more contact points and a delicious crust. Cook the patty for 3 to 5 minutes on the first side. When you flip the patty, you should see a nice, dark golden-brown sear. If not, your heat may be too low.
After flipping, season the patty with salt and pepper, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare burger, look for a pinkish-red line in the centre; for a medium burger, cook until the pink disappears. If you want to be absolutely sure, use an instant-read thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 160˚F. If you're adding cheese, this is the time to do it—place your cheese on top of the patty and cover the pan to help the cheese melt faster.
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Choosing toppings
When choosing toppings for your cheeseburger, it's important to consider texture, colour, and flavour. Here are some ideas for toppings that will elevate your cheeseburger with cheese in the middle:
Lettuce: A crisp and refreshing option, especially if you're watching your carbs. You can use iceberg lettuce to wrap your burger like a bun.
Tomatoes: Sliced tomatoes add a burst of freshness and colour to your cheeseburger.
Onions: If you're not a fan of raw onions, you can dice and scatter them over the sauce on the base of the bun, or cook them in a little oil with salt and pepper. You can use brown or yellow onions for a sweeter taste.
Pickles: Pickles add a crunchy texture and a tangy flavour to your burger.
Sauce: Don't be afraid to be generous with the sauce! You can use ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, aioli, or even make your own special sauce with black pepper.
It's important to prepare your toppings before you cook your patties, so everything is ready to assemble when the burgers are hot and freshly cooked. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your perfect cheeseburger!
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Frequently asked questions
Separate your beef into equal portions, roll them into balls, then press down into round patties that are slightly larger than your bun to allow for shrinkage. Use your fingertips to pat the middle of the patties to make them slightly thinner than the outer edge. Place a ball of meat on a hot, unoiled griddle and smash it down firmly into a flat, thin disk. This will give your burger a crust. Once you flip the patty, top it with cheese and cover the pan with a lid to encourage the cheese to melt.
For a true cheeseburger experience, opt for processed cheese. Thick-sliced, medium cheddar is also a good option.
Toppings that add appealing texture, colour and flavour. Try sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, pickles, relish, or a good aioli (flavoured mayo).
Cook each side of the patty for 3 to 5 minutes. You'll know it's ready to flip when you see a dark brown sear on the underside. If you want to be sure the patty is cooked, cut into it and check that there is no pink left.
