How to Grill Hamburgers on a Pan

Pan-fried burgers are just as good as those cooked on an outdoor grill.

Grilling burgers always produces a delicious result, but many people don't know that you can cook insanely tasty burgers on a pan in your kitchen. The secret to making the perfect burgers on a pan is to use beef that is the perfect lean/fat balance. Ground beef that is 80 percent lean is the optimum for producing juicy, flavorful burgers that aren't too greasy. That combined with the proper way of forming the patties will give you a perfect burger every time.

Things You'll Need

• 80-percent-lean ground beef
• Salt
• Pepper
• Large skillet or griddle
• Spatula
• Plate

Instructions

1. Separate some 80 percent lean ground beef into large balls, rolling them with your hands. For four burgers, use 1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef.

2. Take one of the balls and press it in between your palms until the hamburger patty is about 1/2 inch thick. Use your fingers to create a slight indent in the middle of the patty. This will allow the burger to cook without puffing up in the center. Repeat with all remaining ground beef balls.

3. Season each side of the patties with salt and pepper.

4. Pour 2 tsp. of vegetable or olive oil into a 12-inch skillet or griddle and set the heat to medium high. Heat the oil until it begins to smoke slightly.

5. Place the burger patties, indent side down, into the hot pan. Allow to cook for three minutes.

6. Flip the burgers and allow them to cook for another three minutes. Remove the burgers from the hot skillet and place on a plate. Cover the plate with foil and allow the meat to rest for five minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Ground beef must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F to kill bacteria.

References

• Washington State University Extension: Frequent Flipping Means Safer Burgers
• Meals: Frying Hamburgers