To cook burgers on the stove, follow these general guidelines for timing and temperature based on desired doneness:
- Medium-rare (130-135°F): Cook about 3 minutes per side, totaling 6 minutes.
- Medium (145°F): Cook about 3-4 minutes per side, totaling 7-8 minutes.
- Medium-well (150-155°F): Cook about 4-5 minutes per side, totaling 9 minutes.
- Well-done (160°F): Cook about 5 minutes per side, totaling 10 minutes.
These times are for roughly 1-inch thick patties cooked in a preheated skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Flip the burgers once halfway through cooking when the edges start to brown. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level, with the USDA recommending 160°F for ground beef to eliminate harmful bacteria
. Additional tips:
- Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly and reduce shrinkage.
- Avoid pressing down on the patties while cooking to keep them juicy.
- Toast buns separately in the pan if desired.
- Add cheese in the last minute and cover the pan to melt it.
This method produces juicy, well-seared stovetop burgers comparable to grilled ones
