Old Fashioned Cheeseburgers Recipes

CLASSIC BURGER-JOINT CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking. Gently form beef into 4 patties, each 4 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick (do not overwork meat or patties will be tough). Season generously with salt and pepper. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise onto the cut sides of each bun.
• Place patties on grill and cook, uncovered, until browned and sizzling on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip, top each with a slice of cheese, cover grill, and cook until cheese is melted and patties are medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate. Place buns on grill cut-side down; cook just until lightly toasted and golden brown in places, about 1 minute.
• Dress the cut side of each bottom bun with ketchup and mayonnaise (or desired condiments), then top with patties. Place a tomato slice on top of each patty and season with salt. Stack with pickles and lettuce. Dress cut side of top buns with condiments, then sandwich toppings and serve.

OLD-FASHIONED CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Put the ground beef on a baking sheet and divide into 5 equal portions. Push the meat (not patting it) together gently and shape into patties no bigger than the size of your burger buns. They should be loosely compacted; they should look rustically rough, not smooth and that way a good crust will develop and there will be lots of nooks and crannies for the cheese to melt into. They should be about 1/2-inch thick and about 4 inches wide. Make sure they fit your buns! Once shaped, chill the uncooked burgers in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or warm your largest cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Sprinkle both sides of the burgers generously with salt. This is not only for flavor, but also to build a good crust.
• Using a spatula, place the burgers on the grill or in the skillet; they should sizzle upon contact. If you are cooking inside, open your window, because it might get a little smoky!
• If using a grill: Cook 2 minutes on the first side for medium-rare or 3 minutes if you like them medium-well. Flip the burgers, and top each one with a slice of cheese. Cover, if possible, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, depending how well done you like your burgers and the heat of your grill.
• If using a skillet: Cook 4 minutes for medium-rare, or 5 minutes for medium-well on the first side. Flip the burgers, and top each one with a slice of cheese. Cover, if possible, and cook for 4 minutes longer. A meat thermometer inserted in the middle of the burger should register 135 to 140 degrees F for medium-rare.
• Remove the burgers from the heat and grind freshly ground black pepper on top of each burger.
• While the meat rests, toast the buns. Spread both cut sides of the buns with a little softened butter. Lower the heat to medium, add the buns cut-side down, and let them toast until golden brown.
• Place each burger on a bun, top with Ketchup Chutney or Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip and pile you're your favorite toppings. Dig into a little slice of summer heaven right from your kitchen!
• Warm the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until nearly smoking.
• Keep your lid handy. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds; they should start enthusiastically popping upon contact with the oil, so cover the pot until the spluttering subsides, about 30 seconds.
• Add the onions and saute until soft and just starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes longer.
• Add the Garam Masala, paprika and turmeric. Stir and cook about 30 seconds. Then add the vinegar (standing back so you don't inhale the fumes!) and cook 1 minute more.
• Add the tomatoes, molasses, 1/2 teaspoon salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, bring to a boil, and then cook at a generous simmer about 10 minutes until thickened. You can puree it if you like. Set it aside to cool and then jar. Store in the refrigerator.
• Combine the cinnamon sticks, cloves, green cardamom seeds, black cardamom seeds, if using in a spice grinder or coffee grinder and grind until fine. Store the spice mix in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roast the red peppers. Place each bell pepper over the open flame of a gas burner or grill, cooking until the skin blackens and blisters. Rotate the peppers and blacken all the way around, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the peppers in the oven by placing the bell peppers on a baking sheet and placing under the broiler, turning frequently, until the peppers are blackened and blistered all over. Put the blackened peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to steam.
• Toast the walnuts. Spread the walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop into the oven until light golden brown and aromatic, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Peel the red peppers using a paring knife. Discard the peels, stem and seeds. Throw the roasted red peppers, walnuts, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes and garlic into a food processor with a teaspoon of salt, and run until the dip is smooth. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Cool and serve.

GRANDMA'S GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Mix sugar, salt, garlic salt and tomato sauce into ground beef; simmer until flavors blend, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, cover skillet, and cool to room temperature.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
• Mix sour cream, cream cheese, and onion in a bowl.
• Scoop half the noodles into the prepared casserole dish; top with half the sour cream mixture. Spoon half the ground beef mixture atop sour cream layer. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients. Top casserole with Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until Cheddar cheese has browned, 25 to 30 minutes.

OLD-FASHIONED HAMBURGER STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is browned and onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, tomato puree, diced tomatoes, 12 cups water, Italian seasoning, beef bouillon, cooking sherry, garlic, Sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring to a boil.
• Mix flour into remaining 1 1/2 cups of water until a thin slurry is formed. While stirring constantly, pour flour mixture into the boiling soup and stir to combine. Boil and stir until soup begins to thicken, about 3 minutes.
• Reduce temperature to a simmer and stir in frozen vegetables. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and vegetables have cooked through, at least 20 minutes.

OLD FASHIONED HAMBURGER

Steps:

• 1. Shape the beef into 4 1/4 lb. balls. Flatten them until about 1/4 inch. season with season-all.
• 2. Get a pan medium-hot and add the onions. Salt then let cook for 10 minutes, until brown.
• 3. Get a grill hot then put the burgers down. cook 3 minutes then flip. Cook 2 minutes then add a palmful cheddar and cook 1 more minute.
• 4. Wile burger is cooking, toast the buns and spread on some mayo. Put a lettuce leaf on the bottom, then tomato and pickle slices on top.
• 5. Slide the burgers onto the buns and top with the molten-hot onions. Enjoy!

OLD-FASHIONED CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Divide beef into 4 rounds and place each between two layers of plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin, roll beef into 1/4-inch-thick patties. Butter inside of each bun. Place on a baking sheet, buttered side up, and toast under broiler.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high. Generously season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook burgers 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and top each with cheese; cover and cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Place burgers on buns and serve with desired toppings.

OLD-FASHIONED HAMBURGER RELISH

Steps:

• 1. In a large enamel or stainless steel bowl, mix the cucumbers, onion, peppers, celery, salt, turmeric, and water. Let stand for 12 hours or overnight, then drain in a strainer, lightly pressing out any excess liquid. Set aside. 2. Tie up cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in a piece of cheesecloth. In a large, heavy, enamel or stainless steel saucepan, bring the spices and vinegar to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. 3. Add the tomatoes, increase the heat to moderate, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until the tomatoes resemble a puree - about 30 minutes. Add the sugar and mustard seeds, cover, and let stand overnight at room temperature. 4. Add the drained vegetables to the tomato mixture and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated - 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the spice bag. 5. Ladle into 4 hot, sterilized, 1/2 pint preserving jars, leaving 1/2 inch of head space. Wipe the jar rims clean, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Label, then let the relish mellow in a cool dry place for at least 3 weeks before using. Will keep for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.

OLD-FASHIONED HAMBURGER AND VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook ground beef until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in beef stock and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil and add carrots.
• Tie parsley, rosemary, thyme, and sage together into a bundle with cooking twine and add to the pot. Add bay leaf and season soup with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium and add potatoes, green beans, corn, and drained tomatoes. Return soup to a boil, partially with a lid so steam can still escape, and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 25 minutes. Remove herb bundle and bay leaf and discard. Adjust salt and pepper, if needed.

THE CLASSIC HAMBURGER

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Place meat in large bowl; pour Worcestershire sauce over beef and gently mix with hands. Divide meat into 4 very loose balls, then gently shape into patties 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and about 1/2 inch in diameter larger than your hamburger buns. Slightly press center of each patty.
• Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper on 1 side of each patty. Place patties, seasoned side down, on grill over medium heat. Sprinkle top of each patty with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover grill; cook 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until meat thermometer inserted in center of patties reads 160°F.
• Serve burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise and mustard.