The best way to make a great burger is to run to the store and pickup some type of ground beef, take it home, divide it into little balls and then smash it into paddies.  Once your cooking it you constantly smash it with your spatula until it is done.  NOT!!!!!

 

Well, the first part is right.  The first thing you need is some good quality ground beef.  80% may be a little fatty so you might want to get something a little less fatty but don't go super lean.  The fat in the burger helps give it flavor.

 

Now that you have your ground beef, very carefully remove it from the package and make it into very loose patties.  The less you work the meat the better.  It will cook better and faster if it's loose.  Sometimes mine almost fall apart in the cooking process.  Season your burgers with whatever you like and let the meat warm to room temperature.

 

You can now cook these on a grill or in a cast iron skillet.  I use the skillet a lot because we normally don't have time to wait for the grill to get started and I hate gas grills.  Preheat the skillet before you put the burgers in.  I turn the gas all the way up and get the skillet good and hot. 

 

Now that the skillet is hot and ready to go, spray it real quick with a non-stock coating.  It's time now to put the burgers in the skillet.  Lay them in carefully or they may fall apart.  Let them cook on one side for a few minutes and then carefully turn them over.  DO NOT SMASH THEM AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS!  If done right, one flip is all you need but if they are not done enough, go ahead and flip them again.

 

Now for the cheese.  Once your burgers are all but done, turn off the fire and lay your favorite cheese on top of them.  I like using Pepperjack Cheese.  Let the meat rest and the cheese melt.  While this is going on, prepare your bun with all your favorite extras. 

 

Once everything is rested and prepared, put it all together and start eating.