At Schweid & Sons, we believe great Burgers start with great beef—and a few simple rules for cooking them right. Our comprehensive guide will walk you through How to Cook a Perfect Burger every time.

Whether you’re cooking Burgers on the stove, learning how to cook a Burger on a skillet, or brushing up on how long to cook a Burger, Schweid & Sons makes it easy to get professional results at home. Ready to make classic Hamburgers and the very best Smashburgers at home with confidence? Let’s do this!

How to Cook the Perfect Burger

The best way to cook a Burger depends on your tools and preferences, but the fundamentals stay the same. A great Burger is built on three pillars—master them, and you’re golden: 

1. Quality beef makes the perfect Burger patty. Want a shortcut? Schweid & Sons Burgers are ready to go right out of the package—just add seasoning to taste. And no need for fillers—they hold their shape, stay juicy, and cook evenly, just like a restaurant Burger should.
2. Simple seasoning. You don’t need anything more than kosher salt, black pepper, and premium beef.
3. Proper cooking technique. Below we’ll cover both stovetop and grilling methods!

Best Way to Cook a Burger? On the Grill

If you’ve got access to a grill, use it! If you’re an aspiring pit master, you already know that grilling your Burgers adds unbeatable smoky flavor. Here’s how to cook the best Burger outdoors:

• Preheat the Grill: Medium-high heat is ideal. Clean the grates and oil them lightly.
• Season & Shape: The best way to season a Burger is with a generous pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper just before cooking. (If you want to get more adventurous, here are our 5 favorite seasoning blends for Burgers.) Make sure to handle the patties gently.
• Grill Time: Place the Burgers directly on the hot grates and grill for 4–5 minutes per side. Avoid pressing or constant flipping—the goal is to flip it just once!
• Use a Thermometer: 160°F is your goal for food safety and juiciness. (Transfer cooking during the resting period should bring it up to 165ºF.) 
• Rest: Whether it’s gas or charcoal, the best way to grill a Burger is to use indirect heat to finish cooking after searing—especially for thick Schweid & Sons patties.

How to Cook Burgers on the Stove

No grill? No problem. Using the stove is one of the best ways to cook a Burger inside, especially when the weather isn’t on your side. Here’s how to cook hamburgers in a skillet for maximum flavor and juiciness:

1. Preheat your skillet. Use heavy-bottomed cast iron for even heat. Set your burner to medium-high and let the pan get hot. (If you have one, this is a great spot to use your grill pan!)
2. Season well with salt and pepper. 
3. Add the patties. Place generously seasoned Schweid & Sons Burgers directly into the dry pan—no need for oil thanks to our ideal fat content.
4. Flip once, and only once. This is crucial. Resist the urge to press down or flip repeatedly. Let it develop a crust, then flip halfway through cooking.
5. Don’t press the patty. Pressing forces all the juices out. Let the heat and fat do the work.
6. Rest before serving. After cooking, let your Burger rest for 3–5 minutes. This helps redistribute the juices for a moist, flavorful bite.

PRO TIP: Prefer the stovetop but don’t have cast iron? You can still get great results with a nonstick pan. Stovetop Burgers cook up beautifully as long as you give them space to sear and avoid crowding the pan.

How Long to Cook Hamburgers

Wondering how long to cook a Burger or whether you’re hitting the right doneness? Here’s a general guide:

• Rare (125°F): 2–3 min per side
• Medium-Rare (135°F): 3–4 min per side
• Medium (145°F): 4–5 min per side
• Medium-Well (155°F): 5–6 min per side
• Well Done (160°F+): 6–7 min per side

Use a meat thermometer if you want to be precise, or use the finger method if you don’t have one. Note that cooking times vary depending on the thickness, heat, and your stove or grill, so these are starting points.

Resting = Retaining Juices

One of the most overlooked tips for how to cook the perfect Burger? Let it rest. Once your Burgers are done, resist the urge to serve them immediately. Let them rest for about 3–5 minutes off the heat, tented under foil. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty instead of spilling out onto your plate. Remember: a rested Burger is a juicy Burger.

The Best Way to Reheat a Burger

While we prefer eating our Burgers fresh, sometimes leftovers happen. The best way to reheat a Burger is to avoid the microwave, which can turn even the best beef into rubber. Instead, try either a:

• Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or beef broth, then cover to steam until warmed through.
• Oven or Toaster Oven: Reheat at 300°F for about 8–10 minutes until heated through.

Final Tips for Burger Success

• Use Fresh, Never Frozen Patties: Quality is key, which is why Schweid & Sons Burger patties are always shipped fresh.
• Skip the Binders: You don’t need breadcrumbs or eggs to make a great patty. Our Schweid & Sons Burgers are already perfectly blended to hold together.
• Season Well & Flip Once: Salt, pepper, and patience are all you need!
• Customize Your Finish: From melty American and crispy bacon to sautéed onions and a schmear of aioli, your topping game is where the fun begins. Not sure where to start? Check out our favorite Burger recipes for inspiration!

When it comes to cooking the perfect Burger, there’s no shortage of opinions—but one truth holds steady: great beef + proper technique = a Burger worth remembering. Now that you know all our best Burger-making tricks, all that’s left is to fire up your pan or grill—and enjoy every bite. Bon appetit, Burger lovers!

• Find all Schweid & Sons’ premium Burger blends here.
• Shop your local grocers for Schweid & Sons using our store locator link here.
• Tag us with your favorite way to cook the perfect Burger on Instagram using @schweidandsons or #schweidandsons.
• Sign up to get all the latest recipes and product news via email.