Classic American Cheeseburger

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 slices American cheese 4 slices American cheese
• 4 hamburger buns 4 hamburger buns
• Lettuce leaves Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced pickles Sliced pickles
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 30g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 20g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
3. 3.
   Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties, slightly larger than the size of the buns.
4. 4.
   Place the patties on the grill or griddle and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness is reached.
5. 5.
   During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty to melt.
6. 6.
   While the patties are cooking, prepare the sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, white vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix well.
7. 7.
   Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a toaster until lightly golden.
8. 8.
   Assemble the burgers by spreading the sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, a pickle slice, and a cheese-topped patty. Cover with the top half of the bun.
9. 9.
   Serve the cheeseburgers immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. If you prefer a juicier burger, opt for ground beef with a slightly higher fat content.
• American cheese — If you can't find American cheese, you can substitute it with cheddar or any other melting cheese of your choice.
• Hamburger buns — Look for soft and sturdy buns that can hold up to the juicy patty and toppings without becoming soggy.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, grill the patties over charcoal instead of using a stovetop griddle.
• Customize your burger by adding additional toppings such as bacon, caramelized onions, or avocado slices.
• To prevent the burger from becoming too dry, avoid pressing down on the patty while it's cooking.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mayonnaise mixture.
• Serve the burger with a side of crispy french fries or a fresh green salad.

Serving advice

Serve the cheeseburgers with a side of french fries, coleslaw, or a simple garden salad. Offer additional condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise for guests to customize their burgers according to their preferences.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can skewer a pickle slice and a cherry tomato onto a toothpick and insert it into the top of the burger. This adds a touch of color and makes the burger visually appealing.