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.
