Patrick Oconnell
Whether you like your burgers thick or thin, there are several ways to cook hamburger patties with cheese and peppers. You can cook them on a grill, on a stovetop, or in an air fryer. If you're adding cheese, it's best to do so after flipping the patty, and you can also add peppers and other ingredients to the raw hamburger mix.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, ground Italian sausage |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, chia seeds, egg |
| Toppings | Cheese, onion, peppers, spinach, old cheddar cheese, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, crispy bacon, BBQ sauce, hot sauce |
| Cooking Method | Grill, stovetop, air fryer |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 minutes on each side |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right type of ground beef
When selecting ground beef, it is best to opt for a blend specifically labelled for hamburgers, as these often have beef fat added, enhancing flavour and moisture. The type of ground beef you choose will also depend on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare burger, an 80/20 blend is suitable, while a medium-well burger may require a higher fat content, such as a 70/30 blend.
It is worth noting that the cut of meat used for ground beef also varies, with common options being chuck, round, and sirloin. Ground chuck, with its higher fat content, is often preferred for hamburgers, while ground round and ground sirloin are leaner choices that may be better suited for other dishes. To ensure optimal freshness and flavour, look for ground beef with a bright cherry-red or rosy-pink colour and minimal liquid in the package.
While grocery stores offer convenience, a good butcher or meat market can provide higher-quality ground beef. Additionally, proper storage is essential. Ground beef should be refrigerated and consumed within a couple of days or frozen for up to four months. When defrosting, it is best to thaw the meat slowly in the refrigerator for the best results.
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Shaping the patty
Start by gathering your ingredients. For a basic burger, you will need ground beef, an egg, bread crumbs or crushed crackers, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices and ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, or barbecue sauce to enhance the flavour.
Once you have your ingredients, prepare a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef, egg, and dry ingredients, such as bread crumbs or crushed crackers, to the bowl. Use your hands or a fork to mix everything until it is well blended and has a consistent texture. Make sure there are no lumps or dry spots.
Take a portion of the mixture and shape it into a ball. The amount of meat you use will depend on your desired patty size. For a standard burger, 4 ounces of meat is a good starting point. Gently work the meat into a ball shape, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can make the patty dense and dry.
Place the ball of meat on a clean surface or directly into a hot pan. Flatten the ball with your hand or a spatula to your desired thickness. A thinner patty will cook faster and result in a more well-done burger, while a thicker patty will be rarer and juicier.
Use your thumb to make a small indentation in the centre of the patty. This technique helps the patty keep its shape during cooking and ensures even cooking. The indentation prevents the centre of the patty from puffing up too much, keeping the burger flat and easy to stack with toppings.
Finally, season the patty with salt and pepper, or your desired spices. You can also add ingredients like crushed red pepper, shaved jalapenos, or diced onions directly into the raw patty mixture for extra flavour. Remember to wash your hands and any utensils after handling raw meat.
Now your hamburger patty is ready for cooking! You can grill it, cook it on a stovetop, or try alternative methods like an air fryer or skillet. Don't forget to add cheese and peppers during or after cooking to take your burger to the next level!
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Seasoning and toppings
When it comes to cheese, some people prefer to add it to the patty before cooking, but this can make the cooking process more complicated, as you need to ensure that the cheese melts at the right time. A better option may be to add the cheese after the patty is cooked and then melt it with a blowtorch or by covering the pan. You can use shredded or crumbled cheeses like cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, blue cheese, or provolone.
If you want to add peppers to your burger, you can cook them separately in a skillet or on a grill. Slice a bell pepper and saute it in olive oil until it's cooked to your liking. You can then add the cooked peppers to your burger.
For a unique twist, you can also try making Italian Sausage and Peppers Cheeseburgers. Shape ground Italian sausage into patties and cook them in a skillet or on a grill. Top each patty with a slice of provolone cheese and melt it in the skillet or on the grill.
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Cooking methods
Stovetop method
If you're craving a juicy, tender, cheese-topped burger, try the stovetop method. Start by preparing a mixing bowl with ground beef, crushed crackers, egg, Worcestershire sauce, milk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Mix the ingredients until they are well blended. Form the mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.
Heat a pan on the stove and place the burger patties inside, leaving a little space between each one. Season the patties generously with salt and pepper, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the burgers, season the other side, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes to your preferred doneness.
If you're making cheeseburgers, add the cheese after flipping the burgers. You can cover the pan for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese, then remove from heat and serve. Alternatively, you can blowtorch or broil the cheese.
Grilling method
You can also cook your hamburger patties on an outdoor grill. Preheat the grill to high heat and lightly oil the grate. Form the beef mixture into patties, then place them on the grill. The burgers should sizzle on contact. Season the patties with salt and pepper, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the burgers, season the other side, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes to your preferred doneness.
If you're making cheeseburgers, add the cheese after flipping the burgers. You can cover the grill for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese.
Air fryer method
Although more challenging, you can also cook burger patties in an air fryer. Form the beef mixture into patties and place them in the air fryer. Season the patties with salt and pepper, then follow the air fryer instructions to cook to your preferred doneness.
If you're making cheeseburgers, add the cheese after removing the patties from the air fryer. You can cover the patties for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese, then serve.
Italian sausage and peppers cheeseburger method
For a unique twist on the classic cheeseburger, try making Italian sausage and peppers cheeseburgers. Shape ground Italian sausage into four patties. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat, then add the patties and saute for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
Place a slice of provolone cheese on top of each patty, then cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt. Alternatively, you can cook the patties on a grill. For extra flavour, heat some olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat and add sliced onions and bell peppers.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve hamburgers. You can serve them with toasted buns and your favourite toppings, such as spinach, old cheddar cheese, onions, pickles, mustard, and mayo. You can also add toppings like red onions, ketchup, and butter-grilled buns, and serve them with onion rings or sweet potato fries.
If you want to add cheese, it is better to add it after flipping the patty and blowtorching or broiling it. You can also cover the pan for about 30 seconds to help the cheese melt. If the cheese isn't melting fast enough, cover the pan with a lid.
If you are cooking your patties on a grill, you can add cheese and other toppings like tomato, pickles, crispy fried onions, and barbecue sauce. You can also add toppings like shaved serrano or jalapeno peppers, chopped fresh scallions or cilantro, soy sauce, diced red or white onion, and shredded or crumbled cheeses like cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, or blue cheese.
For a simple seasoning, you can add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder and onion powder.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to cook hamburger patties is on a grill or stovetop. If using a stovetop, cook the patties in a hot pan, leaving a little space between each one. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, depending on your desired doneness.
It is recommended to add cheese towards the end of cooking, as it can melt quickly. Adding cheese to the cooking patty can make it difficult to control the cooking time.
There are many types of cheese that can be used for hamburger patties, such as cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, or blue cheese.
To make hamburger patties with peppers, you can mix diced peppers into the raw hamburger mix or add them as a topping. For a milder flavor, use bell peppers, or for a spicier kick, try jalapeños.
