How to Cook a Hamburger in a Frying Pan

Ah, an American classic. This makes about four juicy burgers.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. ground beef
• spatulas
• 2-3 button mushrooms cut into fourths
• 1-2 minced scallions
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegars
• hamburger buns
• mixing bowls
• heavy frying pans
• Hamburger Buns
• Heavy Frying Pans
• Mixing Bowls
• Spatulas
• Mixing bowls

Prepare Patties

1. Put minced scallions and chopped mushrooms in bowl.

2. Add red wine vinegar.

3. Add ground beef to bowl.

4. Mix everything together with your hands.

5. Flatten the beef into four patties that are 1/2-inch thick and 5 inches in diameter.

Cook Patties

1. Set stove-top grill or burner to medium-high.

2. Preheat nonstick frying pan. The pan is the correct temperature when a drop of water dances on its surface rather than sticking to it.

3. Place patties in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Flip patties and cook for another minute, and then add sliced cheese to the tops of patties if desired.

5. Cover pan and allow burgers to cook for a final 2 minutes. Cook 3 to 4 minutes for well-done burgers.

6. Remove hamburgers from pan and place in hamburger buns.

7. Add condiments and toppings such as ketchup, mustard, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, red onions and pickles.

Tips & Warnings

• The vinegar, mushrooms and scallions add a nice taste, but you can make the beef patties without them if you like.

• Use 85 to 90 percent lean beef. Ultralean beef will fall apart in the frying pan.

• If the hamburger/vegetable mixture does not stick together well, add 1 tsp. vegetable oil to the mix.

• A larger spatula makes it easier to flip the patties. Always use a plastic spatula on nonstick surfaces.

• Cook burgers well to avoid any chance of E. coli poisoning. Elderly people, children and pregnant women are at particular risk for problems with E. coli.