The Best Skillet Burger Recipe (Easy Stovetop Hamburgers)
Make diner-style burgers at home with the best skillet burger recipe — crispy outside, juicy inside, with mouthwatering flavor in every bite.
We are huge fans of homemade burgers around here! They are a staple meal that keeps the whole family satisfied.
Cooking a juicy burger in a cast iron skillet is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a tasty burger!
Today I am sharing my favorite recipe for homemade hamburgers, whether we are eating at a campsite or around the dining table. Add your favorite toppings and a side of French fries or chips for restaurant-style burgers at home.
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These homemade burgers don’t require any fancy equipment and only use a few simple ingredients. The best burgers take only 3-4 minutes to cook per side on the stovetop over medium heat.
More Hamburger Recipes
- Chimichurri Burger Recipe
- White Castle Hamburgers
- Breakfast Burger Recipe
- Smoked Burger Recipe
- Mushroom Swiss Burgers
- The Best Air Fryer Hamburgers
- BBQ Hamburger Recipe
- Blue Cheese Burgers
- Bacon Wrapped Burgers
- Five Guys Hamburgers
Be sure to check out these 20+ Must Try Hamburger Recipes too!
Skillet Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef – The hearty base of these burgers, good quality meat will give you the best flavor.
- White onion, finely diced – Onion adds savory flavor and keeps the burger patties tender and moist.
- Eggs – Eggs help bind the patties together so they stay perfectly shaped while cooking. We love farm fresh if you can get them.
- Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs give the burgers a tender texture while helping hold in all those tasty juices. Panko is my go-to, but any will do.
- Homemade hamburger seasoning – This homemade seasoning blend adds classic burger taste to every bite. Store-bought works too.
- Worcestershire sauce – This savory sauce adds rich, smoky depth and boosts the beefy flavor beautifully.
- Olive oil, for coating the skillet – A light coating of oil in the skillet helps create that irresistible golden crust.
Instructions
1. Gather all of the ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, combine lean beef and eggs.
3. Add onion, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
4. Mix until well combined.
5. Use a kitchen scale to weigh out 5 oz balls from the meat mixture.
6. Form the balls into patties by hand or use a patty press.
7. Layer patties between wax paper and store in the fridge, covered, until ready to use.
8. Over medium-high heat, coat the skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil.
9. Place patties in the skillet and cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperatures reach 160°F.
A burger is made even more amazing with a variety of delicious toppings! My favorites are mushrooms and Swiss cheese, but here are a few more options.
Burger Topping Ideas
- American cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Bacon
- Caramelized onions
- Red onion
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Bacon jam
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- BBQ sauce
- Big Mac sauce
Tips and Tricks
- Try adding a pound of ground pork to the ground beef.
- Regular ground beef can be used in this recipe, however the fat content will obviously be higher than the lean ground beef I use.
- Homemade barbecue sauce can be substituted for Worcestershire sauce.
- Panko breadcrumbs are our favorite binding agent, but crushed crackers may be used instead.
- Add additional onion powder, garlic powder, seasoning salt, black pepper, or kosher salt to taste.
- Toast the hamburger buns before assembling your burgers. Spread a little butter on both the top and bottom bun. Place them face down on a hot skillet and allow them to toast for a few minutes.
- Turn this easy recipe into sliders by making smaller burgers if you wish or squash the patties in the cast-iron skillet to make easy smash burgers.
- Depending on the size of your burger patties, the cooking time will vary. Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the burger patty to check the internal temperature.
- Store any leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Store uncooked burger patties in a single layer or between sheets of parchment paper. Check out this how to freeze hamburger patties post for more info.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why cook burgers in a cast iron skillet instead of on a grill?
A cast iron skillet creates an incredible crust on the outside while locking in juices for tender, flavorful burgers. The even heat distribution also helps burgers cook consistently.
How long should skillet burgers cook?
Most skillet burgers cook in about 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness and desired doneness. Always make sure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for ground beef.
How do I keep burgers from sticking to a cast iron skillet?
Preheat the skillet well, lightly oil the surface, and avoid flipping the burgers too early. A properly seasoned cast iron pan also makes a huge difference.
Should I press burgers down while cooking?
For classic juicy burgers, avoid pressing them down because it releases flavorful juices. If you want smash burgers with crispy edges, flatten them intentionally at the beginning of cooking instead.
What is the best skillet temperature for burgers?
Medium-high heat works best for skillet burgers because it creates a flavorful crust without burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
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Skillet Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup white onion finely diced
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 3 Tbsp hamburger seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Gather all of the ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine lean beef and eggs.
- Add onion, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
- Mix until well combined.
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh out 5 oz balls from the meat mixture.
- Form the balls into patties by hand or use a patty press.
- Layer patties between wax paper and store in the fridge, covered, until ready to use.
- Over medium-high heat, coat the skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil.
- Place patties in the skillet and cook for 7-9 minutes.
Video
Notes
- No kitchen scale? Balls of the beef mixture should be about tennis-sized before pressing into patties. Or divide the mixture into 12-14 equal-sized balls.
- Try adding a pound of ground pork to the ground beef.
- Regular ground beef can be used in this recipe, however the fat content will obviously be higher than the lean ground beef I use.
- Homemade barbecue sauce can be substituted for Worcestershire sauce.
- Panko breadcrumbs are our favorite binding agent, but crushed crackers may be used instead.
- Add additional onion powder, garlic powder, seasoning salt, black pepper, or kosher salt to taste.
- Toast the hamburger buns before assembling your burgers. Spread a little butter on both the top and bottom bun. Place them face down on a hot skillet and allow them to toast for a few minutes.
- Turn this easy recipe into sliders by making smaller burgers if you wish or squash the patties in the cast-iron skillet to make easy smash burgers.
- Depending on the size of your burger patties, the cooking time will vary. Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the burger patty to check the internal temperature.
- Store any leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Store uncooked burger patties in a single layer or between sheets of parchment paper. Check out this how to freeze hamburger patties post for more info.
Nutrition
I don’t have a scale to weigh the 5oz. balls. If I use 2 pounds of hamburger meat about how many hamburgers will that make? I’m trying this dinner tonight😊. Thank you so much for this recipe. My husband’s going to love it!
You’ll get 6-8 burgers depending on how big you make them. Enjoy!