15-Minute Cast Iron Skillet Burgers That Are Better Than Grilled

Cast-iron skillet burgers are the best way to make burgers at home. These are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and loaded with all your favorite toppings. This is the perfect meal when you don’t feel like cooking something hard, but want something delicious and filling. It’s one of our very favorite cast-iron skillet dinners.

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close up view of burger with melted cheese

This is great for feeding your picky eaters because everyone can decide their own toppings. Unless you have a kid who’s a vegetarian. Serve them cast iron skillet mac and cheese instead.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

The bigger the better for your cast iron skillet. If you don’t have one, you can use any frying pan as long as it’s hot. You can use ¼ cup of fresh diced onion in place of the dried minced onion and use 1 clove of minced garlic in place of the granulated garlic. You can also try using my Red Robin copycat seasoning instead!

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Equipment

cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Burger Patties

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried minced onion (or ¼ cup of fresh diced onion)
1 tablespoon granulated garlic (or 1 clove of minced garlic)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Assembly

8 slices Swiss cheese
½ cup prepared caramelized onions
4 hamburger buns toasted if desired (try my homemade brioche burger buns)
iceberg lettuce torn or shredded
4 slices fresh tomato
thousand island dressing or mayo

If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Step One: Season

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.

mixing bowl of ground beef and seasonings.

Step Two: Shape

Form the hamburger into four 8 oz patties. (Make them about a ½ inch bigger in circumference than the hamburger buns, they will shrink while cooking.)

Step Three: Cook

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot and lightly smoking. Add as many burger patties as you can to the pan without them touching. (you may have to cook them in batches) Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip the patties and add 2 slices of cheese to each and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Transfer the cooked hamburgers to a plate and rest for 2-3 minutes.

cast iron skillet showing cooking process.

Step Four: Assemble

To build the hamburgers, first spread a thin layer of thousand island dressing on the buns. Place 2-3 leaves of lettuce on the bottom bun, add 1 slice of tomato, top with the burger patties, add 2 tablespoons of the caramelized onions on top, and place on the top bun. Serve immediately.

cutting board showing assembly of burgers.

Storage Instructions

If you have any leftover burgers, simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them.

When you’re ready to eat them, reheat them in the microwave for a few minutes or in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes.

To be honest, they won’t be the same and are a million times better freshly made.

What to Serve with Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Burger night at home? Make these recipes too:

Start with the perfect potato salad with hard-boiled eggs.
Have a side of old-fashioned cucumber and onion salad.
Drink a sweet and creamy peaches and cream cocktail.
And finish off your meal with a cool and creamy vanilla pie.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Why is the cooking time so short?

Three minutes per side is all you need for a medium burger. 4 minutes will be closer to medium-well. Homemade burgers are usually overcooked.

Why use a cast-iron skillet?

A cast iron skillet provides a great heat source and gives a delicious caramelization without overcooking the patties.

Do I need to use a cast-iron skillet?

No, any heavy frying pan will work. Just get it nice and hot first!

What’s the advantage of cooking these in a cast-iron skillet?

A beautifully browned exterior without overcooking the patties.

What if I prefer thicker burgers?

Thicker burgers will need a bit longer cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the correct internal temperature.

Can I use leaner ground beef?

Yes, but leaner ground beef may result in a less juicy burger. Adjust the fat ratio to your preference.

Sandwiches are a perfectly acceptable dinner, and my kids love these buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches.
Making breakfast is annoying when you have lots of people to feed, so I make this cast iron skillet baked omelet and serve it with fruit and muffins.
For a fun and delicious party snack, try my cast iron skillet queso.