How to Cook a Burger on the Stove

When we talk about burgers, we usually think about outdoor grills and pans. However, there are more than two ways to cook the perfect burger.

One of those ways is using the top of your indoor stove, whether it is a gas or wood-burning model. Your stovetop is safe and easy to use. Plus, you can use it for cooking a delicious burger while warming up your home.

In today’s guide, we’ll guide you through the steps you need to follow to cook the perfect stovetop burgers!

The Ideal Ground Beef for Burgers

The first step for making a perfect stovetop burger is to choose the proper beef, so you will need to know where to get it. You cannot just go to your local market or supermarket and get the perfect ground beef for your burger. Instead, you must go to a specialized butcher or meat market for the best quality.

Once you find the right place to buy your ground beef, you must look for the ideal blend. The right combination considers the lean meat/fat ratio, depending on the type of doneness you plan to cook.

These are the ideal ground beef blends for burgers doneness:

• Well-done: It requires more fat, or it will get dry quickly. So, a 60/40 ratio of lean meat and fat is necessary.
• Medium-well: A medium-well burger dries slower, so it doesn’t require the same amount of fat. A blend of 70/30 will be perfect.
• Medium-rare: Medium-rare burgers don’t need much fat to keep them juicy. A blend of 80/20 is a perfect choice. You can even go as low as 93/7, but this depends on the doneness.

Steps for Cooking Stove-Top Burgers

The first step for cooking a delicious burger on your indoor stove is to get the correct seasoning and ingredients. Salt and pepper are the basic choices, but you can add other condiments like garlic or onions, depending on your preference.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Burger bread
• Sliced onions

Forming the burger patties:

1. Break off fist-sized chunks of ground beef. Then press them into rough patties on your kitchen surface.
2. Slowly and carefully shape the beef patties. Do not overhandle the meat, as it can make the burger tougher than it should. Instead, do it slowly until it acquires the desired shape.
3. Then pat the edges into a uniform round shape. It doesn’t matter if the edges are a bit lumpy as long as they have the right form. 

Once you have the patties shaped and the ground beef seasoned, it is time to start cooking your stovetop burger. You’ll need a bit of oil, a flat pan (or cast iron skillet), and a wide spatula.

How Long to Cook a Burger on the Stove?

After shaping the patties, you can start the next step: cooking the ground beef. Luckily, stovetop burgers are easy dinner options you can make at any time. Just place the flat pan over the stove and wait for it to heat up.

Because of the high heat your wood-burning stove produces, your burgers should be done in under ten minutes, depending on the doneness you desire. Be careful because more than ten minutes can dry out your burgers and make them tough to chew on.

We recommend using a timer when cooking anything on the stove. A minute more or a minute less, and you’ll end up with a mess! Using an instant-read thermometer is another option to keep an eye on your burger’s internal temperature.

Desired Doneness Temperatures

The time you need for cooking your burgers will depend on the doneness you want. Since indoor stoves are hotter than traditional kitchen stoves, you must be precise with the time to get the best results.

Here’s what you need to know about burger doneness and cook time:

• A medium-rare burger needs six minutes (130°F to 135°F internal temperature). More than that, you’ll get a medium or well-done burger. Cook your burger for less, and you won’t kill the bacteria that comes with any beef.
• For medium doneness, you should cook your burger for around eight minutes (145°F internal temperature). Seven minutes is better if you prefer a more pinkish burger.
• A medium-well burger should be cooked for nine minutes (150°F to 155°F internal temperature). More than nine minutes, and you risk a well-done or dry burger.
• Ten minutes is the right time for a well-done burger (160°F to 165°F internal temperature). It should be ten minutes and no more, or you risk burning your burger.

Best Toppings for Burgers

Once you’ve finished cooking your burger, you can build and add cheese and other toppings. A classic burger usually has tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and onions. However, you can be creative with your topping choices if you don’t want a classic burger.

In fact, one of the most fun aspects of making burgers is adding the toppings you want. It can be anything, from pickles and tomatoes to caramelized onions. You can even add some BBQ sauce for that perfect summer grill flavor. 

Here are some best burger toppings you could consider:

• Avocado: Combine it with sweet potato fries and pepper jack cheese, and you’ll get a unique and tangy flavor.
• Spicy corn: This Mexican delight is a corn salad with the hottest hot sauce and a bit of mayo.
• Steak sauce: Fried onions and spinach combined with steak sauce will give you that delicious steakhouse flavor.
• Onions: A combination of caramelized onions, swiss cheese, and garlic powder is a classic option and perfect if you like intense flavors.
• Three kinds of cheese: A combination of three types of cheese is ideal for the meltiest burger ever. We recommend swiss, cheddar, and monterey jack.

Tips for Making a Stovetop Burger

Here are some tips for making the most out of your stovetop burger:

• The temperature of your wood-burning stove is essential. So, start your fire at least twenty minutes before you start cooking. That way, the stove should be hot enough.
• You can make a stovetop burger out of frozen ground beef. However, for a better juicy flavor, we recommend using fresh meat.
• The FDA recommends cooking your burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F. The reason is that below that temperature, you don’t kill the bacteria in the meat. For medium-rare burgers, try to get the freshest meat to prevent any problems.
• Nothing goes better with a burger than a side of fries. So, have them ready to fry before you start cooking the meat. Then cook them simultaneously to get crispy fries and a delicious burger.

Find the Perfect Stove for Your Home with CAPO Building Specialties

Are you looking for the right stove for your home? If cooking delicious burgers is in your plans, we’ve got you covered. At CAPO Building Specialties, we have a wide selection of indoor stoves from the most trusted and popular brands, including MORSO and True North. Check out our full catalog of indoor stoves and find the perfect option for your home!