How to Cook a Good Burger on the Stove

A skillet or grill pan on the stove top offers an alternative method to grilling your burgers. The goal is a juicy hamburger patty that is cooked through but is not burned on the outside. The way you prepare the patty and the handling of the meat in the pan affects the outcome. To customize the flavor, mix seasonings and chopped vegetables into the ground meat before forming the patties.

Step 1

Divide a package of lean ground beef into roughly 6-ounce portions. If you're adding chopped vegetables such as onions or peppers, gently mix them into each patty without working the meat too much.

Step 2

Mold each burger portion into a patty shape about 3/4-inch thick, again minimizing the amount of handling you do with the meat. Press down slightly on one side of each patty to form an indentation so the patty doesn't puff up too much.

Step 3

Sprinkle dry seasonings such as garlic powder, cayenne, salt and pepper on the outside of each hamburger patty.

Step 4

Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat on the stove. Place the burgers on the heated pan. Leave the patties alone for three minutes, or until the bottom browns.

Step 5

Flip the burger patties and continue cooking for another four or five minutes to allow the other side to brown. Cook the burgers until they reach 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer.

Step 6

Top the burgers with slices of cheese, if desired, for the last minute. Cover the pan with foil or a lid to help the cheese melt.

Things You'll Need

• Ground beef

• Seasonings

• Chopped vegetables

• Skillet

• Spatula

• Cheese slices