Garlic Pepper Beef Burgers with Melted Cheese
Juicy beef burgers seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, cooked on a grill or cast iron skillet and topped with melted cheese.
Equipment
- Grill or cast iron skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Instant read thermometer
- Spatula
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz 80/20 ground beef kept cold
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 cheese slices cheddar or American
- 4 hamburger buns warmed
- 4 lettuce leaves optional topping
- 4 pickle slices optional topping
Instructions
Cooking
- Mix. Combine the beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl and fold with your hands until just combined.
- Shape. Form four patties a little wider than the buns and press a shallow dent into each center.
- Heat. Warm a grill or cast iron skillet over medium high heat until very hot.
- Cook. Sear the patties 4 minutes on one side, flip once, and cook 4 minutes more until the center reads 160 degrees F.
- Melt. Top with cheese during the final minute, then rest the burgers for a moment.
- Serve. Set each patty in a warm bun with pickles, lettuce, and any optional toppings.
Notes
Substitutions: Use pepper jack for extra heat or swap the buns for lettuce wraps.
Tips: Keep the beef cold and flip only once for a deeper crust.
Storage: Refrigerate cooked burgers for up to four days.
Nutrition includes the buns and cheese but not the optional lettuce, pickles, bacon, or avocado.