Best grilled burger with melted cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce, and onion on a toasted bun, served on a plate

Dinner

The Best Grilled Burger

Name: The Best Grilled Burger
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 oz (680g) ground chuck (or lean ground beef), formed into 4 patties of about 6 oz (170g) each; Kosher salt and pepper; 1/4 cup (60g) blue cheese; 4 slices favourite cheese (I like smoked Cheddar); 4 buns, toasted; Garnishes of choice: onions, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, barbeque sauce

I'm always surprised when people ask me if I have a good burger recipe. There's no need to overcomplicate burgers. Simple ground beef (ideally ground chuck), handled very gently, seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled to a perfect medium, and topped with melted cheese. Ready in just 15 minutes.

5.0 (1)

Prep

10 min

Cook

15 min

Total

25 min

Serves

Style

🍽 Elevated

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I'm always surprised when people ask me if I have a good burger recipe. There's no need to overcomplicate burgers. Simple ground chuck (or lean ground beef), handled very gently, seasoned with salt and pepper, and grilled perfectly to a minimal safe internal temperature is all that's needed for a perfect burger… Well, almost all! I love adding blue cheese to my burger, then topping it with my favourite cheese—like smoked Cheddar—for a flavour combination that's simply irresistible.

Ingredients

Servings:

24 oz (680g) ground chuck (or lean ground beef), formed into 4 patties of about 6 oz (170g) each
Kosher salt and pepper
1/4 cup (60g) blue cheese
4 slices favourite cheese (I like smoked Cheddar)
4 buns, toasted
Garnishes of choice: onions, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, barbeque sauce

Instructions

1
Preheat the grill to medium high. Ensure the griddle is oiled. Add the patties, cover, and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes. Season one side with salt and pepper. Flip and cook the other side for 4 minutes, also seasoning the unseasoned side with salt and pepper. Flip again and rotate 90 degrees. Cook for about 2 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the meat. We want the final burger to be at 165°F (74°C)—the safe recommended internal temperature. Add blue cheese, then regular cheese, and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Total cooking time for the burger is typically around 12 minutes.
2
Serve on top of a toasted bun with garnishes of your choice.

FAQ

Can I make burger patties ahead of time?+

Yes! Form your patties up to 24 hours in advance and store them on a parchment-lined plate in the fridge—this actually helps them hold together better on the grill. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just add a minute or two to your cooking time.

What temperature should my burger be cooked to?+

Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) internal temperature for food safety. For medium doneness, aim for 160°F; if you prefer medium-rare, pull at 155°F and let carryover heat finish it while it rests.

Can I use ground sirloin instead of ground chuck?+

You can, but ground chuck (which is about 20% fat) gives you the juiciest, most flavorful burger. Leaner cuts like sirloin tend to cook up drier, so if you use them, avoid pressing down on the patties while grilling.

How do I keep my grilled burgers from shrinking and puffing up?+

Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb before cooking—this prevents them from bulging into a ball. Also, avoid pressing down with your spatula while they cook, as this squeezes out the juices and causes shrinkage.