Description
This Classic Cheese Burger recipe features juicy, flavorful beef patties grilled to perfection and topped with melted cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, and optional caramelized onions. Enhanced by a tangy, creamy secret sauce made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and spices, these burgers are served on toasted brioche or Hawaiian buns, making for the ultimate backyard favorite that’s sure to satisfy your burger cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Burgers
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder, granules
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more for seasoning
- 6 cheddar cheese slices
- 6 brioche or Hawaiian hamburger buns
- 6 Romaine lettuce leaves, torn into pieces
- 1 tomato, sliced
- Pickle slices (optional)
- 1 cup caramelized onions (optional)
Secret Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon stone ground mustard
Instructions
- Make the secret sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic powder, pickle juice, dried dill, fresh lime juice, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and stone ground mustard until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate the sauce until ready to use, allowing flavors to meld.
- Prepare the burger patties: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Divide the mixture into six equal portions and form each into a patty approximately ⅓ inch thick.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill on high heat to ensure a nice sear and grilling surface for the patties.
- Grill the patties and buns: Season each patty with additional salt and pepper then place on the hot grill. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for another 3-5 minutes to achieve your desired doneness. In the last few minutes, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and put the buns cut-side down on the grill. Cover again and cook until the cheese is melted and the buns are toasted.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread a generous amount of secret sauce on the toasted sides of each bun. Layer each bottom bun with lettuce leaves, tomato slices, the cheesy beef patties, and caramelized onions if using. Top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately with optional pickle slices on the side.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful burgers with the perfect fat ratio.
- Caramelized onions add sweetness and depth but are optional.
- Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to control spiciness.
- Rest patties a few minutes after grilling for juicier results.
- To avoid patties curling during cooking, press a slight indentation in the center of each patty before grilling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger with bun and toppings
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
