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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Burgers, Sandwiches, etc

    Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

    Published: Jul 25, 2022 ยท Modified: Sep 14, 2022 by Ned Adams ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 31 Comments

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    Half-pound, restaurant quality, perfectly seasoned thick and juicy Cast Iron Skillet Burgers will be your go-to recipe.

    There's no arguing if a burger cooked on a grill over an open flame is delicious or not. It is. But making burgers in a cast iron skillet is a game changer in flavor, just like it is for our steaks.

    Branded image of Cast Iron Skillet burgers in a bun with lettuce, onion and tomato; fries plated as well.
    Jump to:
    • Are burgers good in cast iron?
    • Recipe ingredients
    • Step by step directions
    • Variations and Tips for Cast Iron Skillet Burgers
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Our favorite tools to make Cast Iron Skillet Burgers!
    • Other Burger and Sandwich Recipes
    • Get the Recipe

    This post has been updated from its original February 22, 2018 publishing with new content, photography, and clarified recipe card.

    Are burgers good in cast iron?

    Good. Oh so very good.

    Not everyone has a grill or if they do, want to stand in 6 feet of snow to grill a burger in the middle of winter. Cooking a burger in cast iron is the way to go. Heck, cooking in cast iron might be the BEST way to go.

    Cooking the burger in cast iron retains all those flavorful juices that would otherwise be lost through the grates of the grill.

    Recipe ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for making the burgers: Buns, ground beef, butter, season salt, cheddar cheese and then potential condiments like lettuce, onion, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
    • Ground beef — we used 85% lean ground beef. We also recommend a good quality meat for optimal flavor.
    • Butter — the leaner the beef, the less renderings it will have and we want to get a nice crust on these burgers. We used salted butter.
    • Seasoning Salt — simple and provides just the right amount of flavor.
    • Cheddar cheese — because cheese makes things even better.
    • Buns — pick sturdy hamburger buns for these bad boys. I know it's tempting to buy the $1 pack of buns but these thick and juicy burgers need a sturdy bun to handle them.
    • Condiments — you do you. Ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, onions, pickles, tomato...whatever suits.

    Step by step directions

    Ground beef on a kitchen scale registering 8 oz or a half pound.
    Step 1
    Ground beef in a glass bowl with season salt sprinkled over it.
    Step 2
    Two half pound patties seasoned and formed sitting on wax paper on a plate.
    Step 3

    Step 1 — Preheat the oven to 350°F. Divide meat into 8 ounce portions.

    Step 2 — Mix ยฝ teaspoon of seasoning salt into each of the meat portions. We chose to mix the seasoning in individually since we were making a small quantity and wanted each one to have the full seasoning. You can mix together first then divide into portions.

    Step 3 — Form each portion into patties and press a thumb or finger into the center to create a small dent. They'll be nearly an inch thick.

    Butter melting in a cast iron skillet.
    Step 4
    Two half pound patties placed in a cast iron skillet to sear.
    Step 5
    Two half pound burgers cooking in a cast iron skillet.
    Step 6

    Step 4 — Heat the cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

    Step 5 — Add patties to the hot skillet and leave undisturbed for 3-4 minutes.

    Step 6 — After 4 minutes, flip and leave undisturbed for 3 minutes. Use a large cast iron skillet to cook them all at once (at least a 12"), but we like using a 10" for cast iron burgers and cooking two at a time so the pan isn't crowded. Cook burgers in the oven for 10 minutes.

    A slice of cheddar cheese placed atop a burger in a cast iron skillet.
    Step 7
    Two hamburger patties with melted cheddar cheese in a cast iron skillet.
    Step 8

    Step 7 — Shut the oven off and place the cheese slices on each patty.

    Step 8 — Let the cheese melt over the patties in the oven, about 2 minutes. Remove and allow to rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite toppings.

    Two cheeseburgers in a bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato with french fries between them.

    Variations and Tips for Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

    While we find these Cast Iron Skillet Burgers to be melt-in-your-mouth juicy, but playing with flavor is always fun.

    • Salt and black pepper — skip the seasoning salt and use salt and pepper. Table, sea, or kosher salt will work.
    • Worcestershire sauce — this will add extra layers of umami.
    • Toppings — we went with basic traditional toppings, but get creative or simply use your favorites like crispy bacon, caramelized onions, or even bleu cheese crumbles.
    • Hot pan — making sure the pan is hot before cooking is important for developing a crispy crust. You want to hear that sizzle when you place them in the iron skillet.
    Cheeseburger in a bun with lettuce, tomato, and red onion sitting next to french fries.

    Recipe FAQs

    Do I have to cook these in the oven?

    No. You can cook them on the stove top and skip the oven. They'll take at least 4-5 minutes per side to reach 160°F. They'll also have a crispy crust too.

    Can I make these smaller?

    Sure! We were going for a massive burger, but quarter or third pound hamburgers are just as delicious. The smaller the burger size, adjust the cooking time per side and in the oven.

    Do I have to use cheddar cheese?

    No! Use your favorite. American cheese is a classic choice for its melting properties, but any cheese you like will be delicious or simply omit cheese if you don't want a cheeseburger.

    Can I use oil instead of butter?

    Yes, use a high heat cooking oil in place of the butter.

    Branded image of cast iron skillet burgers with melted cheese and the top bun askew to show the patty.

    Our favorite tools to make Cast Iron Skillet Burgers!

    Image of FINEX 10" Cast Iron Skillet

    FINEX 10" Cast Iron Skillet

    Buy Now →
    Image of BuzzyWaxx Original Blend - Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning

    BuzzyWaxx Original Blend - Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning

    Buy Now →

    Other Burger and Sandwich Recipes

    • Smoked pulled pork in a bun topped with coleslaw.
      Smoked Boston Butt {Pulled Pork}
    • A platter of individual toppings with one hot dog full assembled.
      Sonoran Style Hotdogs
    • Three sandwiches of chicken mixed into leftover red pepper dip on a white plate with grapes and tortilla chips.
      Skillet Cheesy Red Pepper Chicken Sandwiches
    • Skillet Barbecue Chicken n' Sausage in a toasted bun with cheese with vegetables.
      Skillet Barbecue Chicken n' Sausage

    If you tried these Cast Iron Skillet Burgers or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    Get the Recipe

    Cheeseburger in a bun with lettuce, tomato, and red onion sitting next to french fries.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 27 votes

    Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

    Half-pound, restaurant quality, perfectly seasoned thick and juicy Cast Iron Skillet Burgers will be your go-to recipe.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time17 minutes mins
    Total Time22 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 776kcal
    Author: Ned Adams
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 10" cast iron skillet 12" cast iron skillet will work too.

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs 85% ground beef
    • 2 teaspoon seasoning salt
    • 4 tablespoon butter
    • 4 slices cheddar cheese
    • 4 hamburger buns
    • Toppings of choice
    US Standard - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F and the skillet on the stove top over medium heat.
    • Divide the ground beef into 4 ยฝ pound (8 ounce) portions.
    • Season each portion with ยฝ teaspoon seasoning salt and form into patties.
    • Melt butter in skillet.
    • Add patties to skillet, 2 at a time.
    • Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side then flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Do not disturb the patties while cooking.
    • Place the skillet (with the patties in it) in the oven and cook for 10 minutes or until they've reached the desired temperature (160°F).
    • Turn off the oven and add the cheddar cheese slice to each patty and place it back in the warm oven to melt; about 2 minutes.
    • Serve on bun with your favorite condiments.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 776kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 201mg | Sodium: 1724mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 521IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 219mg | Iron: 6mg

    Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and rating below or Tag @DutchOvenDaddy on Instagram to show us your photos!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 27 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Dina

      May 07, 2025 at 4:49 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe. Best burgers ever!

      Reply
    2. Dina Miller

      January 28, 2025 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh these were amazing!

      Reply
      • Ned Adams

        January 28, 2025 at 6:54 pm

        Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    3. D

      September 17, 2024 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      Look like great burgers!!!

      Reply
      • Ned Adams

        September 17, 2024 at 8:30 am

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    4. Dannii

      July 05, 2024 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      This was the perfect way to cook burgers. Thanks for all the great tips - I will always be cooking them this way from now on.

      Reply
    5. Tara

      July 05, 2024 at 3:39 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow! These burgers look absolutely fantastic. Definitely perfect for the season, especially since I dont have an outdoor grill.

      Reply
    6. Gianne

      July 04, 2024 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      The burgers had a perfect sear and juicy interior that made every bite flavorful and satisfying. Cooking them in a cast iron skillet really brought out the rich, smoky taste, making it a new favorite in my household.

      Reply
    7. Jeff

      July 04, 2024 at 5:15 pm

      5 stars
      Oh so good. I'm a big grilling fan but these are incredible. There's no going back.

      Reply
    8. Dannii

      May 30, 2023 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      These burgers were epic. So juicy! 10/10.

      Reply
    9. Ieva

      May 30, 2023 at 1:08 am

      5 stars
      These were big and juicy, and absolutely scrumptious. We added some Worcestershire sauce as you suggested, and I have to admit, they were some of the best burgers we hade at home. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    10. Charla

      May 30, 2023 at 12:12 am

      5 stars
      We love burgers so we are looking forward to making this on the weekend.

      Reply
    11. Elisa

      May 29, 2023 at 11:00 pm

      5 stars
      Love this Cast Iron Skillet Burgers recipe, never made them in a cast iron skillet. Definitely will cook them like that next time. Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    12. Beth

      February 28, 2023 at 11:32 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect way to have a delicious grilled hamburger without having to bundle up and shovel your way to the grill!

      Reply
    13. Jess

      February 28, 2023 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I'm drooling just by looking at the pictures!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    the Dutch Oven Daddy! Iโ€™m a full-time computer nerd and part-time cook. My passion is cast iron cooking with tips, tricks, and delicious recipes. I love using my recipes to bring together family and friends. I believe everything is made better in cast iron!

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