Randy Chandler
There are many ways to cook a hamburger with melted cheese on the stove. Some people prefer to grill their burgers, but this can dry them out. Others like to cook their burgers in a frying pan or skillet, and then melt the cheese separately. When melting cheese, it's important to add it at the right time so that it doesn't become messy. One way to melt cheese on a burger is to add a slice of cheese to the patty after flipping it for the first time. Another way is to add the cheese after removing the burger from the pan and placing a metal bowl or lid on top, so that the cheese melts from the trapped steam.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking equipment | Stovetop, frying pan, grill, griddle, skillet, BBQ, oven |
| Burger ingredients | Ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, steak seasoning |
| Cheese type | American, cheddar, Gruyère, goat, Colby-Jack, Swiss, marble rye, pepper jack, smoked gouda, brie |
| Cheese placement | Inside the patty, on top of the patty, on the bun |
| Melting technique | Use steam by adding a splash of water and covering with a lid |
| Cooking time | 4–6 minutes per side, 30 seconds–2 minutes to melt cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your cheeseburger, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the cheese should complement the meat without overpowering it; it should be a supporting character, not the star of the show. It should also be affordable, accessible, and usable on a variety of meats and burger styles.
The "classic" cheeseburger is topped with American cheese, which has a low melting point and a familiar taste. Other popular options include cheddar, Gruyère, and blue cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a blue cheese burger or experiment with different combinations of cheeses.
Some people might consider nutritional factors when choosing their cheese. Calorie count and nutritional value may be important to some, while others may simply enjoy a splurge now and then.
The best cheese for your burger is the one that suits the burger you want to eat. If you're making a high-concept burger, feel free to use brie or another "funky" cheese. If you're going for a classic cheeseburger, American cheese might be the way to go.
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Using a skillet or griddle
To cook a hamburger with melted cheese on a stove, you can use a skillet or griddle. Here's a step-by-step guide:
First, heat your skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cast iron skillets are a popular choice, as they cook evenly and create a good crust. Once your cooking surface is hot, place your burger patties on the griddle and cook them to your desired level of doneness. For a burger with a good crust, only flip the patty once during cooking.
Next, add your cheese. Different types of cheese have different melting points, so choose a variety that suits your taste and the cooking method. American, cheddar, and Gruyère cheeses have lower melting points, while goat cheese, for example, has a higher melting point due to the salts preserving the cheese. If you're using a cheese with a lower melting point, place the cheese on the patty after flipping it for the first time, and it will likely melt by the time the burger is cooked to your liking. For a cheese with a higher melting point, you may want to add it towards the end of cooking and cover it to help the melting process.
After adding the cheese, it's time to create some steam to ensure the cheese melts evenly. Add a few splashes of water to the pan and immediately cover it with a tight-fitting lid. The steam will help cook the sides of the burger and ensure the cheese melts completely. If you're using a larger flat griddle, you can cover each patty with a smaller domed lid. Keep the lid on for around 30 seconds to one minute, depending on the melting point of your cheese.
Finally, remove the lid and serve your juicy, cheese-topped burgers. Enjoy!
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Adding cheese at the right time
When cooking a cheeseburger on a stove, it is important to add the cheese at the right time to ensure it melts properly. The exact timing will depend on the type of cheese you are using, as different cheeses have different melting points. For example, American, cheddar, and Gruyère cheeses have lower melting points, while goat cheese has a higher melting point due to the salts used to preserve it.
One method is to add the cheese to the patty as soon as you flip it for the first time. This allows the heat of the burger to gradually melt the cheese as it cooks. If you are using a cast-iron skillet, you can also try placing a lid over the pan after adding the cheese to trap the steam and melt it evenly. This method is recommended by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who suggests adding a splash of water to the pan first to enhance the steaming effect. The whole process should take around 30 seconds to one minute.
Alternatively, you can add the cheese to the burger after you have finished cooking it. Remove the burger from the pan, add the cheese on top, and then place a metal bowl or lid over it. The residual heat from the burger will melt the cheese in one to two minutes. This method is useful if you are cooking multiple burgers and want to ensure the cheese is evenly melted on each one.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can even try putting the cheese inside the patty before cooking it to make a Juicy Lucy cheeseburger. This guarantees a gooey, melted cheese centre in every bite.
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Using steam to melt the cheese
When it comes to melting cheese on your hamburger, using steam is a clever technique to achieve that perfect, even melt without creating a mess. Here's how to do it:
First, cook your hamburger patty to your desired doneness. Once it's cooked to your liking, it's time to add the cheese. Place a couple of slices of cheese on top of the patty. Different types of cheese have different melting points, so keep in mind that harder cheeses like goat cheese will take longer to melt than softer varieties like American, cheddar, or Gruyère.
Now, it's time to create some steam. Using a skillet with a lid or a griddle, add a few splashes of water to the pan. The water will create steam when it comes into contact with the hot surface. Immediately after adding the water, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. This enclosed space will trap the steam and cause it to circulate, evenly melting the cheese.
If you're using a larger flat griddle, you can cover each patty with a smaller domed lid, which you can find in restaurant supply stores or online. Alternatively, you can use a metal bowl or another piece of cookware large enough to cover the burger and trap the steam.
The steam will not only melt the cheese evenly but also help cook the sides of the burger, ensuring it's perfectly cooked all around. It should take around 30 seconds to a minute for the cheese to melt fully, depending on the type of cheese you're using.
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Avoiding mess by removing the burger from the pan
To avoid a mess when removing the burger from the pan, there are several methods you can use. Firstly, it is important to prevent fat splashes and splatter while cooking the burger. This can be done by using a Dutch oven, which has high vertical sides that reduce splatter and provide a deeper pool of fat. Alternatively, a chicken fryer pan or a cast-iron skillet can also be used, as they have similar benefits to the Dutch oven. If you use a skillet, a splatter screen can be placed on top to reduce the mess, although it will not eliminate all cleanup. Another option is to cover the surrounding areas of your stovetop with aluminium foil, which makes cleanup easier.
Once your burger is cooked to your desired level, it's time to add the cheese. To avoid the cheese sticking to the pan, remove the burger from the pan before adding the cheese. Place the cheese on top of the burger, and then put a metal bowl or lid on top. The steam will be trapped under the bowl or lid, melting the cheese perfectly in one to two minutes. Different cheeses have different melting points, so adjust the time accordingly. For example, American, cheddar, and Gruyère cheeses have lower melting points and will only need 30 seconds to one minute of steaming. On the other hand, goat cheese has a higher melting point due to the salts preserving the cheese, so it will take longer to melt. Thicker slices of cheese will also require a longer melting time.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cook your hamburger patty on a stove or griddle to your desired level of doneness. Then, flip the patty and add your desired cheese on top. Pour a small amount of water into the pan and cover with a lid to create steam. The steam will melt the cheese in around 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the type of cheese.
American cheese, cheddar, and Gruyère cheeses are known to have lower melting points, so they melt quickly and easily. For a spicier patty, you could try pepper jack cheese, or smoked gouda with barbecue sauce.
To avoid the cheese sticking to the pan, do not add the cheese until you have removed the patty from the heat. Place the cheese on top of the patty and cover with a metal bowl or lid to catch the steam and melt the cheese.
Depending on your heat source, it should take between 4 and 10 minutes to cook a hamburger patty on a stove or griddle to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
