Stovetop Burgers are easier than you might think! Once we learned How to Cook Burgers on the Stove it’s our go-to easy dinner for anytime of year. This is a great way to make sure you cook a JUICY and PERFECT cheeseburgers each and every time. Now you can make the best burgers year round.
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Best Stovetop Burgers Recipe
Once we learned how to make burgers on the stove that were juicy, perfect, and easy every time, this has become our go-to stovetop burgers recipe.
I love that you can cook cheeseburgers year round; regardless of a grill! These ridiculously delicious hamburgers are delicious and cooked to order every time!
If you’re a true hamburger or cheeseburger lover, then you NEED this Stovetop Burgers Recipe. Get ready to sink your teeth the BEST PAN FRIED BURGER you have ever tasted!
See all the tips and tricks below for making it absolutely perfect every time. There have become a reader favorite recipe and we love them too!
Once you know how to make stovetop burgers, you’ll be able to make them in any season–no grill needed!
Burger Guide
Cook Burgers ALL the Ways
Our Burgers Guide has all the tips and tricks for perfect burgers each and every time.
Tips for Stovetop Burgers
The key to a perfect Stovetop Burger is knowing how long to cook burgers, testing your internal temperatures, and keeping things simple.
There are lots of great loaded burger recipes out there, and we have some we love ourselves like our Mediterranean Chicken Burgers and these Cowboy Burgers. When it comes down to it, we love a simple and classic cheeseburger better than anything.
These Stovetop Burgers are the type of meal I could eat every day for the rest of my life. It’s seasoned with just salt and peppers, letting the juicy beef really shine.
Tip!
Of course there are lots of variations you can make, but we stand by the fact that a perfectly cooked pan fried burger covered in melted cheese is the ONLY way to make a Stovetop Burger.
Can you cook frozen hamburgers on the stove?
You can, and sources say if done correctly you can get them to taste almost as juicy as a fresh beef burger, but I don’t recommend it. Fresh is best for cooking a truly juicy and amazing burger on the stove!
Can you cook a burger in the oven?
Yes, you can cook burgers in the oven if you prefer. We just want to make sure we can make delicious burgers year round, so oven or stove top works!
Check my recipe on How to Broil Hamburgers for the perfect oven baked burgers.
What are the internal temperatures when cooking beef?
Internal temperatures for a ground beef burger are as follows:
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 150-155°F
- Well Done: 160-165°F
*NOTE: The FDA officially recommends that hamburgers be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure all bacteria is killed. If you choose to do more of a Medium cook, be sure you’re using the freshest beef or even making your own ground beef!
The Best meat thermometer!
I love using this meat thermometer for making sure the meat is at 165 degrees! Easy for beginners & totally worth the $10 cost!
We have created an internal temperature guide as well as FREE PRINTABLE for easy tips on cooking meats! Click HERE to print your free version.
How long to cook burgers for medium rare – well done stovetop burgers?
GOOD QUESTION! This is the easiest and safest way to make sure your burgers are cooked to perfection every time. Cook times for cooking burgers in a skillet (that are about 1 inch thick and cooked on medium high heat) are as follows:
- Medium Rare (red in the middle): 6 minutes total (3 minutes on each side)
- Medium (pink in the middle): 7-8 minutes total
- Medium Well (smidge of pink in the middle): 9 minutes total
- Well Done (no pink): 10 minutes total
Again, the FDA recommends at least close to a well done burger at 160F. So about 9-10 minutes total cooking time is what we are shooting for.
What do you serve with Stovetop Burgers?
When we finally learned how to make burgers on the stove, I knew we also needed the perfect side dishes. We love to serve these juicy stovetop cheeseburgers with a few favorites.
How to Make Skillet Burgers
You too can cook the PERFECT Stovetop Burgers! I believe in you. Be sure to fully read the instructions as well as all the tips for how to cook burgers on the stove above.
Decide which temp you’re going for and then kick some butt! Your family is going to love these. Who needs Summer? We can excel at cooking perfect cheeseburgers ALL YEAR LONG!
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
More Burger Recipes we Love
We love creating fun and delicious burgers. Here are some favorites to try after you master the Stovetop version!
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Stovetop Burgers – How to Cook Burgers on the Stove
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck 80%-85% lean
- kosher or sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 slices American or Cheddar Cheese
- 4 Burger Buns
Optional Toppings
- condiments of choice such as ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Toppings such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles.
Instructions
- Place ground chuck in a medium-size mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Mix gently to combine, but don’t overwork the meat.
- Divide the meat into four equal portions.
- Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch, round patty. (The patty should NOT be smooth – leave some craggy edges and don’t press it too flat.)
- With your thumb or fingers, press a “moat”, approximately ¼-½ inch from the edge, around the circumference of the burger – be sure the edge of the burger is a little higher than the indentation. This will ensure the burger will flatten out while cooking. Repeat this process with each portion.
- Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. When the pan is hot, carefully place the patties in the skillet (no need to grease skillet) leaving some space between each patty.
- Cook the burgers until nicely seared and they have browned halfway up the sides.
- Flip the burgers and cook to your liking. (*NOTE – To ensure all bacteria has been killed, the FDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F.)
- If adding cheese: remove the pan from the heat and place the cheese atop the burgers. Cover the skillet and allow the residual heat/steam to melt the cheese.
- Serve on toasted buns topped with your favorite toppings.
- Enjoy!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Nutrition Information
Delicious! Great-tasting burgers that are easy to make! I used a cast-iron grilling skillet on the stove.
I’m so glad you loved them!!
The link for video does not work!
I’ll look into it! Thank you for letting me know! I’ll post the link to the video on YouTube for you :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WofilFae9Ag
So easy! I kept failing at burgers on the stovetop the dreaded burnt on the outside and raw on inside stupidity. Came across this and followed it to the T, came out perfect. Thank you!! Used non stick on gas cooked ten mins total added green Chile and cheese. YUM!!
Yay!! So happy I could help you perfect your stovetop burgers just in time for cold weather!
Great recipe but the video was extremely frustrating. Can’t hear her for the unnecessary music.
You got a typo in one of the section titles… It says “How long to cool burgers for medium rare – well done stovetop burgers?” I’m certain you meant to say how long to “cook” seeing as the section goes on to state cooking times and who wants a cold burger :). Feel free to delete this comment once article is corrected, no point in having it up at all but I’m sure you will want to fix the typo.
No need to fire up the grill. Great burgers.
So handy to know for when the weather is crappy!
YES!
Very good
Love that I can burgees without a grill!
I finally made some awesome stove top burgers! I’m sure I was overcooking them before! Thanks for the great instructions!!!
That makes my day to hear :)