Stovetop Burgers (how To Cook Burgers On The Stove)

By Becky Hardin

Published May 6, 2023

One of the recipes we make most at our house are burgers on the stove. I love that we can make it year round, no matter the weather. Stovetop Burgers are easier than you think! I form simply seasoned burger patties, pan-fry them in a skillet, and have found the exact cooking time and temperature to make sure you get it right.

front view of a stovetop burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a plate - 5

What’s in This Hamburger Recipe?

I love that cooking burgers on the stove only requires a few ingredients and 20 minutes to make. All I need is ground beef, cheese, toppings, and seasonings. This is one of my favorite burger recipes because it’s so simple and versatile!

Ground Beef : Ground chuck is ideal for burger patties. I recommend meat that is 80% lean and 20% fat. Avoid anything leaner than 85% or you’ll end up with burgers that are dry and tough.
Seasoning: I keep the seasoning simple with salt and pepper to taste. But feel free to add in garlic and onion powder, paprika, or your favorite burger seasoning blend .
Cheese: A slice of American or cheddar cheese is perfect for cheeseburgers, but any type works fine (try pepper jack or Swiss). Or you can skip the cheese if you prefer a hamburger.
Hamburger Buns : Grab your favorite buns for serving. Brioche buns are a great way to make them feel a little more gourmet, but any type is fine.
Toppings: Top with your favorite ingredients! Add lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, caramelized onions , sweet relish , and more.
Condiments: Add mayo , mustard, ketchup, burger sauce , relish, or any condiments you like.

How Long Do You Cook burgers on The Stovetop?

I prefer my burgers cooked to medium, but everyone is different. From medium-rare to well-done, here are the internal temperatures and cooking times (per side and total) when making burgers in a skillet . (See our Burger Temperature Chart for even more info!)

Doneness	Color	Internal Temp	Cook Time (per side)	Cook Time (total)
Medium-Rare	red in the middle	130-135°F	3 minutes	6 minutes
Medium	pink in the middle	145°F	3-4 minutes	7-8 minutes
Medium-Well	smidge of pink	150-155°F	4-5 minutes	9 minutes
Well-Done	no pink	160-165°F	5 minutes	10 minutes

Note: The USDA 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!

How to Store and Reheat

Once cooked, I let burgers cool to room temperature. I store them in a resealable bag, airtight container, or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. We keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For best results, reheat burgers in a nonstick pan on the stovetop until they are fully heated through. Try adding about 3 tablespoons of water to the pan to create steam–this will keep the patties from drying out.

How to Freeze Burger Patties

To freeze homemade burger patties, let them cool completely. I recommend wrapping each one separately with aluminum foil, and then placing them all in a freezer-safe, resealable bag. Freeze for 3 months.

I always let them fully defrost in the fridge before reheating.

stovetop hamburgers on a plate with potato chips - 7

Serving Suggestions

The best stovetop burgers deserve the best side dishes! I usually serve these classic French fries (my kid’s favorite), but any kind of fry will do. We have tried baked sweet potato fries , parmesan potato wedges , or even zucchini fries .

Notes from the Test Kitchen

The key to a perfect Stovetop Burger is knowing how long to cook burgers, testing your internal temperatures, and keeping things simple. I think the most important thing is to not overdo it–just let the juicy beef speak for itself!

5-Star Review

“I made these burgers the other day. My husband and I both LOVE them. Easy to make and cheaper than going to a burger joint. I will definitely be making more!” -Sarah

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 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.

Video

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. 1 pound ground chuck, kosher or sea salt to taste, freshly ground black pepper to taste
Divide the meat into four equal portions.
Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch thick, 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 USDA 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. 4 slices American or Cheddar Cheese
Serve on toasted buns topped with your favorite toppings. 4 Burger Buns, Condiments of choice such as ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
Enjoy!

Equipment

Equipment used for Stovetop Burgers

Becky’s Tips

Resist the urge to press down on the meat. Pressing down releases all those wonderful juices, causing the burgers to turn out dry and flavorless.
Cook in batches and keep warm in a 250°F oven if making for a crowd.
Medium Rare: 130-135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium Well: 150-155°F
Well Done: 160-165°F
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

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Cook Burgers on the Stove Step by Step

Season the Meat: Place 1 pound of ground chuck in a medium-sized mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. Mix gently to combine, but don’t overwork the meat.

ground chuck in a mixing bowl - how to cook burgers on the stove - 8

Form the Patties: Divide the meat into four equal portions (¼ pound each). Place one portion on a plate and gently press it into a 1-inch thick, round patty. The patty should not be smooth – leave some craggy edges and don’t press it too flat.

four burger patties on a plate - how to cook burgers on the stove - 9

Shape the Patties: 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.

Cook the Burgers: 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. If adding cheese: remove the pan from the heat and place 1 slice of American or cheddar cheese atop each of the burgers. Cover the skillet and allow the residual heat/steam to melt the cheese. Serve on toasted buns topped with your favorite toppings.

close up of how to cook burgers on the stove - a burger patty with melted cheese on top. - 11

Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you want to add directly into a mixing bowl with the ground chuck. Mix enough to evenly distribute the seasoning, but don’t overwork it. Some common seasonings (besides salt and pepper) are garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and oregano.

I don’t recommend cooking burgers directly from frozen on the stovetop. Instead, defrost patties in the fridge before cooking.

The fat from the burgers should be sufficient to prevent them from sticking to the pan. A little butter or oil (or both!) can help if you’re nervous.

It’s time to flip your burgers when they have browned halfway up the sides. The meat should release easily from the pan. If it seems stuck, give it an extra minute or two before trying to flip.

More Ways to Cook Burgers

Grilled Burgers
Burgers in the Oven
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Smash burgers
Turkey Burgers
See all of our Burger Recipes !

Stovetop Burgers - How to Cook Burgers on the Stove

Equipment

Equipment used for Stovetop Burgers