Classic Diner Burger Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Cast Iron

by: thirschfeld

October4,2022

5

1 Ratings

  • Serves 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

With so many fast food choices we forget how great a really good burger can really be. If you use good technique and great home made ingredients you may find hamburger joints needless except for convenience. Start with good beef. If you want to grind it yourself go ahead but if you know your butcher you should trust him to do a good job. I personally like my beef to be from a cow that I think is the best of both worlds. That is, pasture raised and free choice grain fed. That means if the cow wants to eat grain they can or they can also eat just grass. Talking to the farmers they say they usually go for both equally. It is how I remember beef tasting, which is refreshing. There are lots of farmers out there that do a great job raising wholesome beef that never sees a feed lot. The cut of beef I like for ground beef is chuck. Yes it will shrink because of the fat content but it will also have some flavor because there is some fat. Onion rings or fries are a must. Oh yeah, and to my mind a good burger is a treat and not an everyday occurrence so I don't mind really splurging when we do eat them. - thirschfeld —thirschfeld

Test Kitchen Notes

This is a great classic burger. Cooking the onions and burgers in bacon fat gives them a nice extra layer of flavor. The Thousand Island dressing is much better than any secret sauce. - Stephanie —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Watch This Recipe

Classic DinerBurger

Ingredients
  • For the thousand island dressing:
  • 1 cupmayonnaise
  • 1/8 cupketchup
  • 1 tablespoonprepared horseradish
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsworcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoonkosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoonblack pepper
  • 1 hard boiled egg, shelled and minced
  • 1/4 cupchopped bread and butter pickles
  • For the burgers:
  • 1 1/2 poundsground beef, preferably chuck
  • 1 tablespoonlemon juice
  • 1 tablespoonworcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoonkosher salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 4 good quality soft white hamburger buns
  • 1 large onion, cut into half inch slices, you should get four.
  • 2 tablespoonsbacon grease
  • a plate of extra toppings: iceberg lettuce, shredded, American cheese, tomato, and pickles of all sorts
Directions
  1. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the ground chuck, worcestershire, lemon juice and salt into a bowl. Mix until well combined. Divide into four equal sized patties that are about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Then season the up side with lots of black pepper.
  2. Place a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon grease and the four slices of onion. Season the onions with salt and pepper. Saute the onions until they are soft and caramelized on each side. When they have browned place them on a sheet tray.
  3. Turn the heat to high and gently place the burgers into the pan, black pepper side down. Season they tops with more black pepper. Sear them until good and cararmelized on each side. Remove to the sheet tray with the onions to let them rest. After 10 minutes slide the tray into the oven and reheat the burgers to your desired temperature. I prefer medium rare to medium.
  4. Butter the insides of each bun. Wipe out the skillet and then toast each bun. Assemble the burgers with the onion, Thousand Island dressing and serve.
  5. For the Thousand Island dressing:
  6. Combine all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until combined.

Tags:

  • Sandwich
  • Burger
  • American
  • Beef
  • Bacon
  • Lemon Juice
  • Cast Iron
  • Fourth of July
  • Memorial Day
  • Father's Day
  • Entree
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Beef Burgers

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Ariel Lauren Wilson

  • healthierkitchen

  • lapadia

  • theicp

  • themissingingredient

Popular on Food52

25 Reviews

Johnny R. May 18, 2013

I love this burger recipe...it's definitely my go-to when I'm going to grill and everyone always raves about how delicious and juicy the burgers are. Thanks so much for sharing such a fantastic recipe!!

KarenSue March 10, 2013

No bacon fat laying around so I started by pan frying a few pieces, which we then used on top of the burgers. Three teenage boys declared these "the best burgers" we have ever had at home. Skipped the pickles + the hard boiled egg since I didn't have those in the house. Loved the cast iron skillet idea, a perfect use for my under utilized pan! YUM

Ariel L. April 21, 2012

LOVED IT! made in france with comté, cornichons, and la moutarde de dijon...........simply wonderful!

Cranch February 16, 2012

One comment -- it matters what kind of horseradish you use to make the pickle sauce. I put in a tablespoon of Beaver Extra Hot Horseradish, and the sauce just tastes of horseradish. I wish I had followed my cooking instinct which said: put in a little horseradish at a time and taste...

healthierkitchen July 23, 2010

Love your dressing!

thirschfeld July 24, 2010

As a kid it was always my favorite. I don't eat it much now but I made extra and have been eating it on iceberg wedges all week. I think I need to add it back into the rotation.

lapadia July 22, 2010

Hmmm, you mix some lemon juice into the patty mixture, I love lemon with anything and use a tablespoon in my beef stew, never thought to use in my ground beef patties...love that!

thirschfeld July 23, 2010

Acids work to enhance flavor. I have a veal stew that has lemon juice added to it at the beginning and end.

theicp July 20, 2010

I had a cookout with my family last night and we used your recipe. These bad boys are the truth. (I can also vouch that I found bacon, sliced avocados, and red onions are all pretty delish on these burgers.)

thirschfeld July 21, 2010

"ahhh bacon", in my best Homer Simpson voice.

themissingingredient July 20, 2010

Classic is the perfect name for this burger.

thirschfeld July 20, 2010

thanks

lastnightsdinner July 19, 2010

This is what it's all about. Perfect.

thirschfeld July 19, 2010

Thanks lastnightsdinner.

dymnyno July 19, 2010

A real classic hamburger!! Love your version of "secret sauce" aka thousand isl. dressing, too.

thirschfeld July 19, 2010

Thanks, can't wait to see your entry because they are always delicious.

dymnyno July 20, 2010

I probably won't enter anything..."Woody" does it the same way I do with the Ohana burger...make a pocket and then shove in some butter and blue cheese and grill to order. This is going to be a tough one...there are so many great burger recipes...I love yours because it is so simple and just perfect...not a lot of "what else is in the refrigerator" ingredients. And, as always , your picture tell the story!

drbabs July 19, 2010

This is almost exactly how we made burgers when I was growing up. (Except I don't like hard boiled eggs in my thousand island dressing...just me).

thirschfeld July 19, 2010

I sometimes leave out the eggs, too, you know you are the one eating it. I always have to laugh when I see hard boiled eggs with Russian dressing.

Lizthechef July 19, 2010

I want one! Love the photo, the classic burger shot, cast iron skillet and all...

thirschfeld July 19, 2010

Thanks Lizthechef, aren't you on vacation?

Lizthechef July 20, 2010

Bakc from vacation but passed on the swordfish theme - and my burgers can't compete here - thumbs up!

mrslarkin July 19, 2010

Oh, my. I can almost smell it. Love this, thirschfeld.

thirschfeld July 19, 2010

Thanks mrslarkin. I am thinking the Roquefort burger looks tasty as well

Classic Diner Burger Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How to make a charbroiled burger at home? ›

The key to cooking a thin, modestly sized burger on the grill is to use the highest heat possible, and to cook the meat most of the way through on one side before flipping it and briefly cooking the second side. This technique allows you to get a nice dark crust on that first side without the risk of overcooking.

How to make a burger like a chef? ›

Grill hamburger patties (indent-side-up) covered for 3-5 min each side on the grill. Flip burgers when juices are accumulating on top of the burger and you have a good sear. Apply cheese in the last 1-2 minutes of grilling then cover with the lid and cook until the internal temperature of beef reaches 160˚F.

What seasoning does Gordon Ramsay use on burgers? ›

Season all sides of the patties generously. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mayo, Sriracha sauce and salt together. Set aside. Oil the meat well on both sides and place onto the medium heat side of the grill.

Do you mix egg with ground beef for burgers? ›

Instructions for How to Make Ground Beef Patties for burgers: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 egg, and a generous amount of salt and pepper to season (half tsp each). Egg is a burger binding agent for the ground beef patty. Divide the well mixed beef into four equal round balls and form into patties.

How do Burger King burgers get their flavor? ›

The Flame Grill Marks Are Real

Burger King's famous Whopper patties may start off frozen, but a short trip through their proprietary broiler and open flames gives it that familiar, smokey taste.

How does Guy Fieri cook his burgers? ›

Preheat a grill or griddle over medium-high heat. Make the burgers: Form the meat into 6 patties. Lightly season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Grill the patties to medium, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

How do most restaurants cook burgers? ›

Restaurants tend to use flat top grills or griddles

However, chances are if you love how a particular restaurant prepares their burgers, they're probably using a griddle or a flat-top grill. But that's not the only possible cooking tool that might be in a professional kitchen's burger-making tool kit.

Why do homemade burgers fall apart? ›

If you flip it more than one time, it may fall apart on the grill. One flip! eggs and breadcrumbs are for meat loaf. you want a good 80/20 lean to fat beef ratio, you want to have a good skillet or griddle temp going—a good temp—and you want to have a good spatula for flipping the patty when it's time to flip it.

What is the 777 dollar burger Gordon Ramsay? ›

According to Ramsay, the pub is known for its 777 burger, which is made with an American Wagyu patty, lobster meat, American goat cheese, pancetta, foie gras, arugula, and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar. After tasting it, D'Acampo and Ramsay both thought it was delicious.

How to make professional burger? ›

To do this, select beef with an 80/20 ratio of beef to fat. You need that 20% fat to ensure the juiciest, most flavorful burger. Make about quarter-pound patties, store them in the fridge, and take them out just before cooking. Salt them then—no sooner.

What makes a good gourmet burger? ›

The Toppings Placed on the Burger

Any old restaurant can make a burger with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. But a gourmet burger, on the other hand, should have more than that. Some examples of gourmet toppings include grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, and freshly sliced avocado.

How much does Gordon Ramsay charge for a hamburger? ›

How much is a Signature Burger at Gordon Ramsay Burger in Chicago? A Signature Burger may cost you around $16-$19 at our restaurant, while the price of a Featured Burger may cost you around $20-$23.

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