Cast Iron Burgers Recipe (No need to fire up the grill!) (2024)

FAQs

How to grill hamburgers in a cast iron skillet? ›

If it's too hot, your burgers will burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside. If it's too cold, they'll stick to the grill, dry out and develop an unappetizing gray color. The best approach is to have a hot zone (with more coals) and a cooler zone (with fewer coals) for more indirect heat.

Place patties onto prepared baking sheet then bake for 20-25 minutes or until burgers reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Place a slice of cheese onto each burger patty then return to the oven for 1 minute to let the cheese melt. Transfer cheeseburgers to buns then serve.

This is where a cast iron pan really shines. Just heat a little bit of vegetable oil in your skillet on medium heat and place your seasoned patties in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Allow them to cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a caramelized crust.

Cast iron and stainless steel are the best choices for getting that beautiful, brown sear. Once the pan is hot, add the meat, and use a spatula to break it up into pieces. Let the meat brown without touching for about five minutes.

Set up your grill with both direct and indirect heat zones. Place the coals or burners on one side of the grill to create a hot, direct heat zone, and leave the other side empty for indirect heat. Start the burgers on the direct heat to sear them, then move them to the indirect heat to finish cooking.

Cooking. After the grill and its grates are hot, turn a section off and put your burgers there, avoiding direct flame under the burger. When the burgers are on the hot grates away from the flames, you avoid flare-ups. Then close the grill and let the burgers cook.

Temperature is Key

Grilling too hot can cause the burgers to burn on the outside before getting done on the inside; with medium-low to medium, the grill is at a more appropriate temperature for a better-quality cook.

Herbs: Parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano are favorites with beef, while mint, dill and cilantro are also popular with other proteins. Fresh herbs are excellent mixed into ground meat while dried herbs are the best choice for sprinkling on top.

Do you put oil on burgers before grilling? ›

Lightly brush the burgers on both sides with melted butter or extra-virgin olive oil just before grilling. This helps prevent sticking and adds an extra layer of flavor. You'll also need to practice good grill hygiene by heating, scraping and oiling the grill's grate prior to grilling.

Place the burgers on the grill grates and cook, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes a side, depending on the desired level of doneness. If you're adding cheese to make cheeseburgers, add the cheese in the last minute and cover the grill to help it melt.

Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the hamburger patties in the pan. For medium-rare burgers, cook the patties for 4 minutes on each side. For medium burgers, cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side.

Ways to Grill With Cast Iron

For barbecues, cookouts and camping trips, a cast iron pan works well over a fire. To cook most recipes, set your pan over the fire or in the coals to heat the pan, then add some oil. Wait until the oil starts shimmering before adding your food.

It doesn't matter if you use a non-stick, aluminum or cast-iron pan to get the job done; the same techniques apply regardless of your cookware preferences. The secret to cooking burgers in a pan -- or even on the griddle – is as much about your choice of meat as it is about the proper heat.

Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. You can use a small amount of soap. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on food. For stubborn, stuck-on food, simmer a little water for 3-5 minutes, then use the scraper after the pan has cooled.