Cheese Burgers the Science That Produces Burger Perfectio

Unlock the secrets to crafting the ultimate cheeseburger with our recipe, "Cheese Burgers: The Science That Produces Burger Perfection." Designed with precision, this guide breaks down the art of building a burger that’s juicy, flavorful, and indulgent. Starting with 80/20 ground beef, the patties are seasoned to perfection and cooked for a rich sear that locks in moisture. The magic lies in the details—from forming patties with a thumb indentation to prevent puffing, to melting sharp cheddar cheese until it’s luxuriously gooey. Toasted, buttery buns provide the perfect vessel, while crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, zesty red onion, and tangy pickles balance the richness. Topped with a harmonious blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard, this burger delivers on every level. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is your go-to for burger night perfection—elevate your grilling game today!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 slices Cheddar cheese slices
• 4 Burger buns
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 4 Lettuce leaves
• 4 Tomato slices
• 4 Red onion slices
• 8 Pickle slices
• 4 tablespoons Ketchup
• 4 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Yellow mustard

Directions

Step 1

Start with freshly ground beef that is 80% lean and 20% fat for the perfect balance of juiciness and flavor. Divide the beef into 4 equal portions (approximately 6 ounces each) and gently shape into patties about 3/4 inch thick. Avoid over-handling the meat to keep the patties tender.

Step 2

Using your thumb, make a small, shallow indentation in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up while cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Ensure it is hot for a proper sear.

Step 4

Place the patties on the hot surface and cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side without pressing down. This helps retain juices.

Step 5

Flip the patties and cook for another 3 minutes. In the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil to melt the cheese perfectly.

Step 6

While the patties cook, spread butter on the cut sides of the burger buns. Toast the buns in a separate skillet or on the grill until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 7

Assemble the burgers: Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add a lettuce leaf, a cooked patty with melted cheese, a slice of tomato, a slice of red onion, and 2 pickle slices.

Step 8

Spread 1 tablespoon of ketchup and 1/2 teaspoon of mustard on the top half of each bun. Place the top bun on the assembled burger.

Step 9

Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as French fries or a crisp salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1334.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3370.2

Total Fat 246.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 695.0mg	0%
Sodium 6816.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.1g	0%
Total Sugars 24.5g
Protein 157.3g	0%

Vitamin D 46.6IU	0%
Calcium 1163.7mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 2189.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.3%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 14.8%