Description
The ultimate juicy, classic cheeseburger recipe perfect for Labor Day grilling. Easy to make, forgiving, and packed with flavor using simple ingredients like 80/20 ground beef and American cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 fat-to-meat ratio)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 8–12 slices American cheese
- 8 brioche buns
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced into rings
- 8 slices dill pickles
- Ketchup and mustard to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Do not overmix.
- Form the mixture into 8 equal patties. Make a slight indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C). Clean and oil the grill grates thoroughly.
- Slice buns in half and brush cut sides with melted butter.
- Grill buns buttered side down for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Place patties on the grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side without pressing down.
- Flip patties carefully. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of American cheese to each patty and close the lid to melt.
- Check internal temperature: 160°F (71°C) for well-done or 145°F (63°C) for medium.
- Remove burgers from grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Assemble burgers: Spread ketchup and mustard on the bottom bun, add lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle. Place hot burger on top and add the top bun.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Keep the meat cold to help it hold its shape. Do not press down on the patties while cooking to retain juices. Toasting the buns is crucial to prevent sogginess. Pat tomatoes and lettuce dry before assembling. For gluten-free option, use gluten-free buns and verify cheese/condiments are GF.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger with toppin
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: cheeseburger, labor day recipe, grilling, easy dinner, ground beef, american cheese, brioche buns, backyard BBQ