Kamil Perry
There are many ways to cook a burger, and there are many ways to incorporate cheese into your burger. You can add cheese to the meat mixture, or you can add it to the centre of your patty, or you can add it on top of your patty. If you want to add cheese to the centre of your patty, form two patties, one larger than the other. Put the cheese in the centre of the larger patty, cover with the smaller patty, and seal the edges. If you want the cheese on top of your patty, add it about a minute before the burger is finished cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of beef | Ground chuck |
| Beef fat content | 80% lean and 20% fat |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, oregano |
| Cheese | American, cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, gorgonzola, bleu, mozzarella |
| Bun | Brioche, sesame seed, soft white |
| Cooking method | Stovetop, grill |
| Cooking temperature | Medium-high heat |
| Patty shape | Round, slightly thinner in the middle |
| Patty thickness | 1 inch |
| Patty diameter | 4 inches |
| Patty weight | 1/3 pound |
| Cooking time | 5-6 minutes on each side |
| Patty internal temperature | 160°F |
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What You'll Learn
Make an indentation in the centre of the patty to prevent puffing
To prevent your burger from puffing up in the centre, you need to make an indentation in the middle of the patty. This process is called "dimpling".
To do this, use your fingertips to pat the middle of the patty so that it is slightly thinner than the outer edge. The indentation should be around a quarter of an inch more shallow than the rest of the patty. The patty should look like a small, flat frisbee, with the outer 1/2-inch of the patty slightly taller than the middle.
You can also make a ""moat"" by pressing a dip around the circumference of the patty, about 1/4-1/2 inch from the edge. This will ensure that the edge of the patty is slightly higher than the indentation.
The purpose of dimpling is to prevent the burger from puffing up in the centre. It also reduces the overall shrinkage of the patty during cooking. By thinning the centre of the patty, you are compensating for the tendency of the patty to dome up in the middle as it cooks.
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Use two patties to encase the cheese
To cook burgers with cheese in the middle, you can try the "Inside-Out Cheeseburger" method. This involves using two patties to encase the cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide:
First, prepare your beef by dividing it into portions. For a stuffed cheeseburger, it is recommended to make two patties, with one being about two-thirds the size of the other. Gently roll each portion into balls, and then press them down into round, flat patties. Remember to make the patties slightly larger than your bun to allow for shrinkage during cooking.
Next, create a dimple or indentation in the center of the larger patty. This can be done by using your fingertips to pat the middle of the patty slightly thinner than the outer edge. The dimpling technique helps prevent the burger from puffing up in the center and reduces shrinkage during cooking. Make sure the edges of the depression are deeper.
Now, it's time to add the cheese. Place your favorite variety of cheese in the center of the larger patty. You can bring the cheese to room temperature before adding it to ensure it melts properly during cooking. If using onions, you can add them at this stage as well.
After placing the cheese, cover the larger patty with the smaller patty. Carefully bring the overlapping part of the large patty around to seal in the cheese. Press the edges of the patties firmly together to ensure a good seal. You can even use an egg wash around the outside of the larger patty to create a better seal and prevent leakage.
Once your stuffed patty is ready, start cooking it with the seam side down. Cook the burger on medium-low heat for most of the cooking time, and then turn the heat to high to sear it for a nice crust. Remember to keep the patties thin for the first attempt to avoid undercooking the center.
Finally, when the burger is done, make a small cut all the way to the center to release the melted cheese before placing it on the bun. This step is important for food safety, as the cheese can get extremely hot and may burn your mouth if not released before serving.
Enjoy your delicious, juicy, and cheese-filled burger!
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Cook on a flat pan over medium-high heat
To cook burgers with cheese in the middle on a flat pan, start by shaping your ground beef into 1-inch-thick patties. Use your thumb to create a dimple or indentation in the centre of each patty, making sure the edges are slightly higher than the centre. This will prevent the patty from bulging and ensure even cooking.
Next, heat a large skillet or flat pan over medium-high heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet, a non-stick frying pan, or a regular skillet, depending on what you have available. If using a cast-iron skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over high heat until smoking hot. For a non-stick pan, heat the oil until hot, but not smoking.
Once the pan is hot, carefully place the patties into the skillet, leaving some space between each patty. The burgers should sizzle on contact. Season the patties generously with salt and pepper, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. You'll know it's time to flip the burgers when the edges start to brown and the raw burger turns opaque, then grey or light tan.
After flipping the burgers, place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. You can use American cheese, cheddar, or any variety that melts well. Cover the skillet to allow the residual heat and steam to melt the cheese. If the cheese isn't melting fast enough, you can also cover the pan with a lid or dome.
Cook the second side for slightly less time than the first side, usually about 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness. The finished burgers should have a dark golden-brown sear on the underside.
Finally, remove the burgers from the skillet and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving on toasted buns with your desired toppings. Enjoy your juicy, cheese-filled burgers!
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Cover the pan to encourage cheese melting
When cooking cheeseburgers, you can place the cheese on top of the burgers as soon as you flip them. If the cheese isn't melting quickly enough, you can speed up the process by covering the pan with a lid or another dome. This will trap the heat and steam inside, creating a warmer environment that will help the cheese melt faster.
Covering the pan is a simple yet effective technique that utilizes the residual heat and steam to create a controlled melting environment for the cheese. By trapping the heat and steam inside, the covered pan essentially becomes a miniature oven, directing all the warmth towards the cheese. This concentrated heat source ensures that the cheese melts uniformly and efficiently.
The process of covering the pan to melt cheese is particularly useful when making stuffed cheeseburgers, where the cheese is incorporated into the center of the patty. In this case, the residual heat and steam not only melt the exposed cheese but also help cook the burger from the inside out. This ensures that the cheese melts evenly and blends seamlessly with the beef.
Additionally, covering the pan can help prevent the cheese from drying out or burning. By creating a moist environment, the steam generated under the cover aids in maintaining the cheese's creamy texture and prevents it from becoming tough or rubbery. This technique is especially beneficial for cheeses that are more prone to scorching or drying out during the melting process.
Covering the pan is a handy trick to master when crafting the perfect cheeseburger. It ensures that the cheese melts at the right pace and achieves the desired consistency. This method is adaptable to various cooking setups, from stovetops to grills, making it a versatile tool in any burger enthusiast's repertoire.
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Serve on toasted buns with toppings
Once your cheese-filled burgers are cooked, it's time to serve them. Place the burgers on toasted buns and finish with your favourite toppings. You can toast your buns on a grill or a tray in the oven. If you're grilling, place the buns cut-face down on the grill. If you're using an oven, place the buns cut-face up on a tray and toast for 3 to 5 minutes until light golden.
There are many toppings you can add to your burger. Classic toppings include sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, pickles, and relish. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try something different like tomato jam, mayonnaise, bacon jam, garlic aioli, blue cheese sauce, sautéed mushrooms, or Thousand Island.
If you're making a double cheeseburger, you might want to add even more toppings to balance out the cheese. You could add some crispy bacon, caramelized onion, and aioli. If you're feeling particularly hungry, you could even add some homemade fries on the side.
When serving your cheese-filled burgers, be sure to have some napkins or wet wipes on hand, as the melted cheese can get a little messy! Enjoy your delicious, juicy, cheese-filled burgers!
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