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Cheater Kitchen Burgers

This indoor burger recipe make six burgers (too many for one pan), so use the broiler or finish the pan-seared burgers all at once in the oven. Ground beef is available in plenty of designer styles and fat-to-lean ratios. Use what you like. Remember that the higher fat content varieties like chuck have a rich, juicy taste and a smoother texture than the leaner ones, which tend to be dry and grainy. Chuck will also spatter up your stovetop and broiler a bit more. Either way, good ventilation is important. Burger doneness is an individual right that the government recommends you exercise at 160°F for proper food safety. Whatever temperature you pick, remove the burgers from heat when they are about 5 degrees below that target as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests. R. B. himself goes into fits above 130°F. He’s still with us, knock on wood, despite rare burgers and the raw oysters he downs with abandon.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 6 burgers

Ingredients

2 pounds ground chuck or other ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Cheater Basic Dry Rub (page 45)
1 tablespoon bottled smoke
For Broiler Burgers

Preparation

  1. For Broiler Burgers

    Step 1

    HEAT the broiler. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to heat.

    Step 2

    COMBINE the meat, Worcestershire sauce, dry rub, and bottled smoke in a large bowl and mix well.

    Step 3

    DIVIDE the meat into 6 equal portions. Form patties about 1 inch thick (or whatever size you like). Carefully place the patties on the hot baking sheet.

    Step 4

    BROIL the burgers to your liking, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them only if you feel like it.

  2. For Skillet-Seared Oven Burgers

    Step 5

    HEAT the oven to 450°F.

    Step 6

    COMBINE the meat, Worcestershire sauce, dry rub, and bottled smoke in a large bowl and mix well.

    Step 7

    DIVIDE the meat into 6 equal portions. Form patties about 1 inch thick.

    Step 8

    BROWN the burgers, three at a time, in a very hot skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer all the burgers to a large rimmed baking sheet.

    Step 9

    FINISH the burgers in the oven until cooked to your liking. Check the internal temperature after 5 minutes.

Cheater BBQ
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