I love burgers as much as anyone. And where I’m from in Wisconsin there is no such thing as a hamburger, its more like “what kind of cheese would you like on that?” I’m not going to tell you how to make burgers, everyone has their way, this is more about the method. Burgers have their place on the summer grill, but even though its summer, I got out my cast iron skillet. First, I carmelize a few onions in that very pan for about an hour or so, wipe it out if you need to and then turn up the heat for the burgers. Ok, here is why I love the skillet…The burgers hit the hot pan and start to sizzle, the fat comes out and instead of it dripping down into your grill, gone forever, it settles around the burger, cooking it in its owe lovely juices, forming a delicious crispy crust and making the burgers melt in your mouth delicious.
Once you turn them, put your slices of cheese on right away, the more time the better to melt. You can top them with your onions at this point too. Personally I like a medium rare burger, but a lot of people don’t, but I think everyone would agree that a dried out, well done burger/hockey puck is not good. In the skillet, that doesn’t happen, even well done -no pink- is juicy as ever. If there’s room, tuck the buns down in the pan and let them toast in the burger grease. The cheese and onions can be condiment enough, but top it with your usual suspects ~ lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, avocado, anything you like.
Recipe: Skillet Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced, olive oil, salt and pepper to season
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 T whole grain dijon mustard
- 1 T Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- buns, cheese sliced
- lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, avocado, etc, (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onion slices in a cast iron skillet, set to low-medium low for about an hour until a golden brown color, stir occasionally, add a splash of water if too dry
- Meanwhile, lightly mix beef, dijon, Worcestershire, salt and pepper and form into patties, about 3 or 4, however big you like them
- When onions are done, reserve in a bowl and wipe out skillet, turn heat up to medium-high
- Cook burgers about 4-5 minutes per side, really use your judgement here, depending on how rare or well done you like them.
- Immediately after flipping, top with cheese and onions to allow plenty of time to melt
- Toast buns in same pan
- When burgers are cooked to desired doneness and cheese is melted, assemble with your favorite condiments and eat!
Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s) 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
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