If you don't have a grill (or the weather isn't right for cooking outside), don't fret. You can still make amazing cheeseburgers from the comfort of your kitchen. Some might say that you need the smoky char from the grill to make hamburgers taste great, but a nice, crispy sear is a delicacy in its own right. The recipe below uses a cast iron pan, and it makes some of the best burgers I've ever had.
The real secret to cooking hamburgers in a cast-iron pan is the doughnut patty shape. By creating a hole in the center of the burger patty, you allow air to pass through the middle of your burger. That helps the patty to cook evenly, and it also prevents the center from bulging up. As a bonus, some of that cheese will sneak inside the burger, creating the perfect middle bite.
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How to make Swiss pan burgers
4
15 minutes
10 minutes
25 minutes
1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Kosher salt, to taste
4 slices swiss cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 sesame seed buns
Toppings (suggested toppings include caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or sliced tomatoes)
In a large bowl, combine the beef, Worcestershire, rosemary, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
Divide the beef into 4 large patties. Form them into circles and push your finger through the center, creating a doughnut.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season each patty with kosher salt, to taste, and place it on the hot skillet.
Cook the burgers for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until they are cooked through. If you're using a meat thermometer, look for 140 degrees F for medium and 160 degrees F for well done.
When the burgers are almost fully cooked (about 5 degrees F off from the final cooking temperature), place the swiss cheese on top of each patty. Place a lid on top of the cast iron skillet until the cheese is melted.
Spread 1 tablespoon of the mayonnaise on the bottom of each bun. Top each bun with the burger patty and the toppings of your choice.
