Randy Chandler
There are many ways to cook a cheeseburger, and the cooking method will determine the best temperature to melt the cheese. When grilling, you should add the cheese about a minute before the burger is finished cooking. For stovetop burgers, you can place the cheese on the burger and cover the skillet to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese. In an air fryer, you should place the cheese on the patty about halfway through cooking. If you're baking your cheeseburger, you can wrap the assembled burger in foil and place it in the oven to melt the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature to put cheese on a burger | 600 to 700°F (315 to 370°C) |
| 160°F to kill all bacteria | |
| Time to put cheese on a burger | 1 minute before the burger is finished cooking |
| Type of cheese | American, cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, pepper jack |
| Type of burger | Stovetop, smash, air fryer |
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What You'll Learn
When to add cheese to a burger
When cooking a cheeseburger, the cheese should be added towards the end of the cooking process. This is because cheese melts at a lower temperature than the ideal internal temperature for a burger. The USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure all bacteria are killed.
When cooking a burger on a grill, the cheese should be added about a minute before the end of the cooking time. The residual heat from the grill will be enough to melt the cheese. The same principle applies when cooking a burger on a stovetop. After flipping the burger, the cheese can be added to the patty, and the residual heat and steam will melt the cheese.
When cooking a burger in an air fryer, it can be more challenging to get the cheese to melt on top of the patty due to the air circulation. One way to anchor the cheese is to halve the slice and layer it on the patty for extra heft. Moving the patties to the back edge of the fryer basket may also help, as this area receives less aggressive air circulation.
For an ultra-smashed cheeseburger, the cheese is added between two thin patties, which are cooked simultaneously. This allows the cheese to melt from both sides and helps the patties stay together.
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Recommended cooking temperatures
When cooking a cheeseburger, there are several methods you can use, including a grill, stovetop, oven, or air fryer. Each method has its own optimal cooking temperature to ensure the cheese melts and the burger is cooked to your desired level.
For a grill, the general recommendation is to cook your burger to an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C) to ensure all bacteria are killed. You can add the cheese about 1 minute before the burger is finished cooking to allow it to melt. This timing ensures the cheese melts without overcooking the burger.
When cooking on a stovetop, you can use a cast-iron skillet or stainless steel pan. Preheat the pan over high heat to around 600–700 °F (315–370 °C). Place your burger patty on the hot pan and cook until it develops a crust. Flip the burger and cook it to your desired level of doneness. Once done, remove the pan from the heat, place the cheese on the burger, and cover the skillet to melt the cheese with residual heat.
If you're baking your cheeseburger in the oven, set your oven temperature to 350 °F (177 °C). Place the burger patties on a wire rack on a baking sheet, especially if using fattier ground beef, to prevent them from sitting in grease. Bake for about 20 minutes, keeping an eye on the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 160 °F (71 °C) to kill any bacteria. Remove the patties from the oven, place them on toasted buns, and wrap them in foil. Place the wrapped burgers back in the oven for 3–4 minutes to melt the cheese and soften the buns.
Finally, if you're using an air fryer, you can cook your burger to a perfect medium or medium-rare without worrying about overcooking the inside. The hot air circulation creates a caramelized crust on the burger. However, due to the air circulation, it can be challenging to anchor the cheese on top. Try halving the cheese slices and layering them, and place the patties in an area with less aggressive air circulation to facilitate melting.
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Types of cheese to use
When it comes to the types of cheese to use on a burger, there are many options to choose from. A classic choice is American cheese, which is mild and melts well. It can be paired with toppings like grilled onions, a fried egg, or another cheese. Cheddar is another popular option, offering a range of flavours from milky and sweet to acidic and grassy, depending on aging and origin. It can be melted on top of the burger or stuffed inside the patty.
If you're looking for something a bit more indulgent, Brie is an excellent choice. It's a soft cow's milk cheese that is often served warmed and makes for an exceptional topping when melted on a burger. For those who enjoy a smoky flavour, Gouda is a perfect match, especially when paired with barbecue sauce. If you want a stronger flavour, consider using Swiss cheese, which provides a more robust taste profile than Baby Swiss.
Some other unique options include tangy blue cheese, which is pungent and creamy, or halloumi, which holds its shape when heated and develops a charred crust with a soft interior. For a more subtle flavour, Monterey Jack is a good choice as it has a mild taste and melts well. Ultimately, the type of cheese you use on your burger comes down to personal preference, and experimenting with different varieties can help you find your favourite.
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Cooking methods
There are several methods for cooking burgers with cheese, including using a stovetop, oven, air fryer, or grill. Here is a detailed description of each method:
Stovetop
Cooking burgers on a stovetop is a quick and easy method that requires only a few ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time. Start by forming seasoned burger patties with ground beef. You can keep the seasoning simple with just salt and pepper, or add other seasonings like garlic, onion powder, or paprika. The ideal meat for burger patties is ground chuck with 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Avoid anything leaner than 85% to prevent the burgers from drying out.
Once your patties are formed, pan-fry them in a skillet. For a cast-iron skillet, preheat the pan over high heat for several minutes to reach a temperature of 600 to 700°F (315 to 370°C). When cooking the burgers, avoid pressing down on the patties, as this can release the juices and make the burgers dry and flavorless. Instead, flip the burgers at least once during cooking, or as often as you like.
When there is about a minute left of cooking time, add a slice of cheese to the burgers. For an ultra-smashed cheeseburger, add a slice of American or cheddar cheese to one patty, then place the second patty directly on top. This melts the cheese quickly and helps the patties stay together. After adding the cheese, cover the skillet and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
Oven
Cooking burgers in the oven is a hands-off and mess-free approach that yields juicy and perfectly cooked burgers. Start by placing the burger patties on a wire rack on a baking sheet, especially if using fattier ground beef, to prevent them from sitting in grease. Bake the burgers for about 20 minutes. During this time, you can prepare your toppings and any side dishes, such as a fresh veggie salad or frozen French fries.
If using gluten-free buns, it is recommended to toast them under the broiler for a few minutes to soften them before placing the burger patty on top. Alternatively, you can place the baked cheeseburger patty onto the bun, wrap it in foil, and put it in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes to soften the bun.
Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is another convenient option for making cheeseburgers, especially if you want to avoid using a grill or stovetop methods. The air fryer's super-convection heat allows you to cook the burger to your desired doneness, whether medium or medium-rare, without overcooking the inside. It also produces a caramelized crust on one side of the burger.
However, due to the air circulation in the air fryer, it can be challenging to anchor the cheese on top of the burger. One successful approach is to halve the cheese slice and layer it for extra heft. Placing the patties at the back edge of the fryer basket, where the air circulation is less aggressive, can also help.
Grill
Grilling is a classic way to cook burgers, and it allows you to achieve a good crust on the patties. When grilling, it is recommended to flip the burgers frequently to ensure even cooking. Add the cheese about a minute before the burger is finished cooking. You can use various types of cheese, such as Swiss, cheddar, or Havarti.
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How to prevent cheese from flying off
To prevent cheese from flying off your burger, there are several methods you can try. One way is to place the cheese in between two patties, which keeps the cheese in place and helps the patties stay together. Another method is to add the cheese about a minute before the burger is finished cooking, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese. This method is recommended for stovetop cooking.
If you are using an air fryer, there are a few tips to prevent cheese from flying off. First, try halving the cheese slice and layering it for extra heft. Additionally, move the patties to the back edge of the fryer basket, where the air circulation is less aggressive, which can help keep the cheese in place.
For oven-baked burgers, one approach is to place the cheeseburger patty on a bun, wrap it in foil, and put it in the oven for a few minutes. This method softens the bun and helps to keep the cheese in place.
Regardless of the cooking method, it is essential to choose the right type of cheese. Slices of American or cheddar cheese are classic choices for cheeseburgers, but any type of cheese can work, such as Swiss, pepper jack, or Havarti.
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Frequently asked questions
To melt cheese on a burger, add the cheese slice about a minute before the burger is finished cooking. You can also place the cheese between two patties to heat it from both sides.
The best type of cheese for a burger is subjective, but popular options include American, cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack.
The USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure all bacteria are killed. Thus, you should add cheese when the burger is around this temperature.
