These Stovetop burgers are made by layering grilled beef burger patties with my delicious hummus and red cabbage slaw, sandwiched in a buttery Brioche Burger Bun, these burgers explode with flavor. Whether for a laid-back summer cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, its delightful taste requires minimal prep time.
Forgo the grill and opt for the stovetop to create the juiciest and most flavorful hamburgers! Check out more stove top burgers and sandwiches: from our salmon burgers, chickpea burgers, to crispy chicken sandwiches.
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The Best Stovetop Burgers
For top-notch stovetop burgers, the key lies in the quality of the beef itself:
- Opt for good-quality ground beef; it's the foundation of a fantastic burger. Keep an eye out for deals on high-quality ground beef to freeze pre-shaped patties for later use.
- The ideal ground beef ratio is 80% lean and 20% fat, yet 85% lean still works well for delicious burgers.
- Avoid ground beef leaner than 90%, as it can result in dry and crumbly burgers.
- Preferably, buy freshly ground beef from the butcher case for a fresher quality and less compression, allowing for a more tender burger.
- If you only have frozen beef, it's still possible to make a decent burger. There are helpful tips and tricks available for thawing ground beef to achieve tasty results.
Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this p
- Ground beef selection - optimal stovetop burgers start with fresh ground chuck, ideally 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio, which ensures a perfect blend for flavor and texture. Chuck Roast's marbling provides the ideal balance.
- Seasoning - classic hamburger requires only the simplicity of salt and pepper for seasoning! But if you want some extra flavor use the seasonings in this recipe!
- Bun choice - while I relish toasted brioche buns with my burgers, feel free to use your preferred bun variety.
- Topping varieties - personalize these burgers to suit your family's preferences. I used hummus and cabbage slaw.
Instructions
Chop the veg. Pulse the onions and bell peppers in a blender for a few seconds until they become finely chopped. Note: If you don't have a blender, finely chop the vegetables by hand.
Mix up the meat. Place the ground beef in a medium bowl. Add the spices, blended vegetables, salt, and pepper to your taste.
Make the patties. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients by kneading the minced meat well with your hands. Form the mixture into 4 burger patties and set them aside.
- Related: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Cook the hamburgers on the stove. Heat a grilled pan over medium heat. Add ½ tablespoon of your preferred cooking oil.
Cook the burgers until they are done, adjusting the heat if necessary. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for the same duration on the other side. Just before removing the burgers from the pan after flipping, place cheddar cheese on top to allow it to melt slightly.
Cabbage and pickles. Combine the cabbage and parsley in a small bowl. Add salt and olive oil according to your taste preferences. Mix thoroughly. Slice the pickles into rounds or slices.
Toast the buns. Slice the burger buns in half and toast them in the same pan where you cooked the beef burgers.
Assemble Burgers. Spread hummus on the bottom half of the bun. Layer with cabbage, pickles, and a beef burger.
Top with the other half of the burger bun and serve alongside extra pickles.
Enjoy your stovetop burgers!
How To Toast The Buns
- Slice the buns in half horizontally.
- Spread a thin layer of butter on each cut side.
- Toast in a skillet over medium heat or broil in the oven until golden (1-2 mins).
- Serve and assemble burgers with preferred toppings.
- Longer toasting adds crunch and enhances burger flavor. Adjust time for desired crispness.
How Long Do You Cook Burgers On The Stove? (medium-rare to well-done)
When cooking stovetop burgers, the cooking time can vary depending on several factors like patty thickness, stovetop temperature, and personal preferences for doneness.
Here's a guideline to help you estimate cooking times, but always use a thermometer to check for proper doneness:
- For Medium-Rare: Cook the burgers for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F (54-57°C).
- For Medium: Cook the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F (60-63°C).
- For Medium-Well: Cook the burgers for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 150-155°F (66-68°C).
- For Well-Done: Cook the burgers for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), as recommended by the FDA.
Remember, using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is the most accurate way to ensure the burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness and meet recommended safety standards.
Substitutions
- Hummus: guacamole, avocado crema or simple honey mustard sauce work great.
- Hamburger buns: in my stovetop beef burger recipe, I utilize soft buns from my local bakery shop, yet store-bought buns serve as a time-saving alternative. For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, ensure you select gluten-free buns.
- Cheese: while I favor topping my burger with cheddar cheese, feel free to choose any cheese variation you prefer. American cheese, pepper jack cheese, Swiss cheese-the options are endless! Alternatively, if you prefer a more minimalist avocado burger topping, omit the cheese entirely.
How to Make Ahead & Store Leftovers
- Make Ahead. To prepare these burgers ahead of time, prep your hummus, and cabbage and store each component in separate airtight containers and refrigerate. The hamburger patties can be transferred to the freezer 30 minutes before grilling.
- To Store. When storing your burgers, ensure each ingredient is placed in its own airtight container. Before consumption, reheat and assemble the burgers one by one.
- To Reheat. Reheat your guacamole bacon burgers by warming the meat in a low-temperature oven (300 degrees F for 7-10 minutes) or using a skillet. Once heated through, assemble the burgers with the remaining ingredients before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- For a lighter low-calorie choice: serve these patties between lettuce wraps or with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- With a salad: coleslaw, Mediterranean salad, chickpea salad, pasta salad, spinach strawberry salad, arugula salad, Kale or pesto potato salad.
- With potatoes: French fries, potato slices, potato wedges, potato skins, smashed potatoes, baked potato, sweet potato fries or mashed potatoes.
- With veggies: You can never go wrong with sauteed, steamed, roasted, or fried vegetables. Try my glazed carrots, beets, roasted pumpkin, zucchini casserole and asparagus recipes.
Tips
- Thumbprint technique. Make an indentation in your raw beef patties using your thumb or a small, flat-bottomed ramekin. This technique prevents the burgers from puffing up in the middle while they cook, ensuring they cook evenly without losing their juiciness or taste. As the beef cooks, the indentation will disappear, leaving you with flawlessly shaped stovetop burgers.
- Bun quality matters. Often overlooked, the choice of bun holds equal significance to the meat in a burger. If time permits, consider whipping up a batch of my homemade brioche buns for an exceptional burger experience. Alternatively, visit a local bakery for high-quality burger buns that add a flavorful dimension to your creation.
- Patty size. Make sure your patties are slightly larger (about ½ inch wider) than your buns, considering they will shrink as they cook.
- Cheese options. While optional, cheese adds a delightful flavor. Choose from Swiss, cheddar, or any cheese of your preference to top your burgers.
- Checking doneness. To ensure proper cooking, use a cooking thermometer inserted into the center of each patty to check for doneness. This guarantees your burgers reach the desired temperature.
Other Ground Beef Recipes You Might Also Like
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More Sandwich and Burger Recipes
Recipe Card
Stovetop Ground Beef Burgers
Ingredients
Method
- Chop the veg. Pulse the onions and bell peppers in a blender for a few seconds until they become finely chopped. Note: If you don't have a blender, finely chop the vegetables by hand.
- Mix up the meat. Place the ground beef in a medium bowl. Add the spices, blended vegetables, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Make the patties. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients by kneading the minced meat well with your hands. Form the mixture into 4 burger patties and set them aside.
- Cook the hamburgers on the stove. Heat a grilled pan over medium heat. Add ½ tablespoon of your preferred cooking oil.
- Cook the burgers until they are done, adjusting the heat if necessary. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for the same duration on the other side. Just before removing the burgers from the pan after flipping, place cheddar cheese on top to allow it to melt slightly.
- Toppings: Cabbage and pickles. Combine the cabbage and parsley in a small bowl. Add salt and olive oil according to your taste preferences. Mix thoroughly. Slice the pickles into rounds or slices.
- Toast the buns. Slice the burger buns in half and toast them in the same pan where you cooked the beef burgers.
- Assemble burgers. Spread hummus on the bottom half of the bun. Layer with cabbage, pickles, and a beef burger.
- Top with the other half of the burger bun and serve alongside extra pickles.
- Enjoy your stovetop burgers!
Nutrition
Notes
- Here's a guideline to help you estimate cooking times, but always use a thermometer to check for proper doneness:
- For Medium-Rare: Cook the burgers for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F (54-57°C).
- For Medium: Cook the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F (60-63°C).
- For Medium-Well: Cook the burgers for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 150-155°F (66-68°C).
- For Well-Done: Cook the burgers for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), as recommended by the FDA.
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Julia | The Yummy Bowl
enjoy quick and easy juicy beef burgers on the stovetop!