How to Make a Burger on the Stove

No grill, no problemo! Here's how to make an incredible burger indoors on the stove. An optional quick seasoning mix takes it to the next level.

By
Nick Evans
Nick Evans
Nick Evans

Nick has been creating recipes for home cooks for almost 15 years. He is the author of Love Your Leftovers and has contributed to Simply Recipes since 2017.

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Updated March 28, 2023
Nick Evans
Burger with Cheese, Red Onions, and Lettuce on a Plate on a Kitchen Counter for How to Make a Burger on the Stove

Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

Do you dream of grilling cheesy burgers for friends and family on a perfectly preheated grill in a spacious backyard? Yeah, me too. But sometimes that’s just not the reality, is it? Maybe you don’t have a grill; maybe you live in a city; maybe it’s just raining! 

Don’t stuff your buns in the bin just because it’s overcast or, like, winter. Learn how to make a burger indoors on the stove instead. 

Use 90/10 Ground Beef for Stovetop Burgers

The best beef mix for burgers on the grill is 80/20, but it’s better to go for a leaner 90/10 mix when you’re cooking burgers on the stove so you don’t get too much fat melting into the skillet. 

Grab That Griddle or Cast Iron Skillet


I prefer to use a large griddle when I’m making indoor burgers, but I’ve also had great success with a plain ol’ cast iron skillet. Make sure to preheat it to get a nice even heat so you can make multiple burgers at once. 

Burger with Cheese, Red Onions, and Lettuce on a Plate on a Kitchen Counter for How to Make a Burger on the Stove

Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

Imperfect Patties Are Perfect


I like to make stovetop burgers thinner and flatter than grilled burgers. If you are making single burgers, 4 ounces per burger is a nice size. If you are making double patties, opt for 3 ounces.

When you are portioning the burgers, don’t worry about shaping them into perfect patties, like you would if you were grilling the burgers. In fact, for burgers on the stove it’s best to flatten the burgers while they are cooking in the skillet!

Wipe Down the Skillet Between Burgers

If you are cooking multiple burgers, clean your skillet or griddle between cooking batches to help prevent excess burning and smoking. No need to completely clean the surface in the sink; just scrape away any burger bits, then wipe the surface down quickly before going onto round two. 

A Genius Tip for Melting Cheese

As soon as your burger is cooked and you remove it from the skillet, add cheese on top, then cover it with a metal bowl. This will catch the steam coming off the burger and quickly melt the cheese without it melting all over your skillet.

Four Burgers on a Cast Iron Skillet with Two Patties Covered in Melted Cheese

Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

Killer Sides for Killer Burgers

How to Make a Burger on the Stove

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Servings 3 servings
Yield 3 burgers

Ingredients

For the burger seasoning mix (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the easy burger sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon ketchup

For the burgers

  • 1 pound ground chuck (90:10)

For serving

  • 3 potato or brioche buns

  • 6 slices American cheese

  • Nonstick spray

  • Green lettuce leaves

  • Thinly sliced red onion

  • Thinly sliced fresh tomato

Method

  1. Prepare the optional burger seasoning mix:


    Before you start cooking, prepare the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.

  2. Make the sauce:

    In another small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup together until smooth. Set aside.

    Bowl of Dijon Mustard, Ketchup, and Mayonnaise for Burger Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
  3. Form the burgers: 

    Preheat a large sturdy skillet (cast iron is best) over medium heat. 

    Loosely divide the ground beef into three 1/3-pound patties. Shape into discs about 1/2 inch thick and put a divot in the center of each patty to prevent swelling in the center. Season the patties with 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning mix per side of the patty, if using.

    Tip

    You’ll have more seasoning mix than you need, but it keeps, tightly sealed, for up to 1 year.

    Burger Patty Topped with Seasoning on a Small Plate for How to Make a Burger on the Stove

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
  4. Cook the burgers: 

    Turn on the fan over the stove and open a window to help with air flow. 

    Spray your skillet with a little non-stick spray and place burgers in the skillet. Press down on each patty with a spatula for 10 seconds. This is to encourage browning. 

    Cook the burgers over medium heat for 4 minutes. Don’t touch them too much so you get a nice crust on the first side. Use a sturdy metal spatula to flip the burgers, being sure to scrape up any caramelization with the burger.

  5. Flip the burgers:

    After you flip the burgers, add the cheese, if using, and continue to cook for 3 minutes until the burger is cooked to desired doneness, usually medium. 

    If you are only cooking one burger, you can toast your buns in the same skillet as your patty, or you can toast them separately if you are cooking multiple burgers at once.

    If you want the cheese to be very melted, cover the burgers with a lid for the last minute of cooking.

    Cooked Burger Patty on the Cast Iron Skillet for How to Cook a Burger on the Stove

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
    Lid Added to Cast Iron Skillet to Help Melt the Cheese on the Burger

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
    Cheese Melting on a Burger Patty on a Cast Iron Skillet for How to Make a Burger on the Stove

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
  6. Build the burgers and serve:

    Build your burgers by spreading some burger sauce on each bun. Put the burgers on the bottom bun and top with the lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and the top bun. Serve immediately with a cold drink.

    Did you love this recipe? Give us some stars below!

    Burger with Cheese, Red Onions, and Lettuce on a Plate on a Kitchen Counter for How to Make a Burger on the Stove

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
781 Calories
56g Fat
32g Carbs
37g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3
Amount per serving
Calories 781
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 56g 71%
Saturated Fat 22g 108%
Cholesterol 199mg 66%
Sodium 1325mg 58%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 9mg 46%
Calcium 456mg 35%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 806mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.