Ultimate Homemade Double Cheeseburger

Skip the drive-thru with this ultimate homemade double cheeseburger. Two perfectly smashed, juicy beef patties are topped with melty cheese and a tangy signature sauce on a toasted bun.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef (70% lean, 30% fat)
• 2 whole burger buns
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 12 whole pickled cucumber
• 14 whole red onion
• 4 slices American cheese or mild cheddar
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Knead the ground beef

   

   Place the ground beef into a large metal mixing bowl. Use your hands to gently knead the meat together. This helps bind the fat and lean portions evenly, ensuring the patty holds its shape well and remains juicy during cooking.

   Tip: A blend of 30% fat and 70% lean ground beef is ideal for a juicy, flavorful burger.
2. 2Form the beef ball

   

   Take the kneaded ground beef and roll it into a tight ball. Toss and slap it repeatedly back and forth between the palms of your hands. This action helps to remove any trapped air pockets and compacts the meat so it wont fall apart in the pan.

   Tip: Slapping the meat helps the proteins bind together without overworking the beef.
3. 3Shape the burger patty

   

   Flatten the compacted beef ball into an even, round patty shape using your hands. For the best texture and to help it maintain its shape during cooking, place the formed patty into the freezer for about 15 minutes before frying.

   Tip: Make the patty slightly larger than your bun, as the meat will shrink while cooking.
4. 4Add the yellow mustard

   

   Begin preparing the classic burger sauce. Squeeze one tablespoon of yellow mustard into a small bowl that already contains one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one tablespoon of ketchup.

   Tip: Yellow mustard provides a sharp, tangy contrast to the richness of the beef and cheese.
5. 5Add the pickles

   

   Finely chop half a pickled cucumber and scrape it from your cutting board into the bowl containing your mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard. Add a pinch of black pepper to the mix.

   Tip: If you prefer a little kick, you can add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
6. 6Stir the sauce

   

   Use a wooden spoon to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together. Stir until a smooth, uniform, pale orange sauce forms, then set it aside to let the flavors meld.

   Tip: Letting the sauce sit for a few minutes allows the flavors from the pickles and pepper to fully meld together.
7. 7Slice the burger bun

   

   Take a soft burger bun and carefully slice it horizontally in half using a knife. Ensuring an even cut will help the bun toast uniformly and hold all your delicious fillings without falling apart.

   Tip: A serrated bread knife makes cutting soft buns much easier and prevents them from getting squished.
8. 8Toast the buns

   

   Spread butter on the cut sides of the buns and place them on a wire rack. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 5 minutes. Baking makes the buns crispier and more fragrant, preventing them from getting soggy from the meat juices later.

   Tip: If you do not have an oven, you can easily toast the buttered side of the buns in a hot pan.
9. 9Sear the patties

   

   Heat a frying pan until its very hot, then carefully place your cold beef patties into the pan. Starting with a hot pan ensures you get a great crust on the meat right away, sealing in all the juices.

   Tip: Keep the formed ground beef in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cooking; this helps the patties hold their shape.
10. 10Season the beef

    

    While the patties are searing, generously season the top side with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can be a bit heavy-handed with the seasoning here to bring out the rich, savory flavor of the beef.

    Tip: Seasoning from a few inches above the pan helps distribute the salt and pepper more evenly across the meat.
11. 11Top with onions

    

    While the patties are searing in the pan, scatter a handful of thinly sliced red onions directly onto the uncooked top side of the ground beef.

    Tip: The onions will cook directly into the beef when flipped, absorbing the savory pan juices and adding a subtle sweetness.
12. 12Smash the patties

    

    Once the onions are placed on the meat, use a firm spatula to press down hard on each patty, smashing them flat into the hot pan. This maximizes the meats contact with the cooking surface, creating a beautifully crispy and caramelized crust.

    Tip: Press firmly but only do it once right after they hit the pan. Pressing them repeatedly as they cook will squeeze out the flavorful juices.
13. 13Flip the patties

    

    Once a deep, flavorful crust has formed on the bottom, carefully flip the patties over using a sturdy spatula. The onions will now be on the bottom, cooking directly in the savory beef juices.

    Tip: Make sure your spatula gets right under the meat to scrape up and retain the beautifully caramelized crust.
14. 14Add the cheese

    

    After flipping the patties and frying the other side, place two slices of yellow cheese directly over the meat. The residual heat from the freshly cooked patties will begin to soften the cheese immediately.

    Tip: Classic American cheese or mild cheddar are perfect choices for burgers because they melt smoothly and evenly over the meat.
15. 15Melt the cheese

    

    Turn off the heat and quickly cover the pan with a glass lid. The trapped steam and residual heat will gently and perfectly melt the cheese over the burger patties in just a minute or two.

    Tip: If the cheese is taking too long to melt, you can add a tiny splash of water to the pan before covering it to generate extra steam.
16. 16Sauce the bun

    

    Take your freshly toasted bottom bun and generously spread the prepared burger sauce over it. This creamy, tangy layer acts as a flavorful base and helps catch the delicious juices dripping from the patties.

    Tip: Make sure to spread the sauce all the way to the edges so every single bite has the perfect balance of flavors.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions