These juicy and delicious Classic Grilled Cheeseburgers are so easy to make at home on the grill. Nothing says summer quite like a backyard BBQ and these burgers are a must!

Never endure dry burgers at home again because this recipe is foolproof–I’m sharing all my best tips & tricks for grilling up perfect burgers every time.

Classic Grilled Cheeseburgers

We’re finishing off So Much Food Grilling Week strong with these perfect classic grilled cheeseburgers. I’m sharing all my favorite grilling recipes to set you up for summer. What they have in common? Anyone can grill them. Even if you’re a novice, or intimidated by the grill, I’ve got all the tips and tricks to up your grilling game.

As soon as summer rolls around, I’m already dreaming of all the juicy burgers I’ll grill up throughout the season. But, I’ve had enough bone-dry burgers to last a lifetime! Let’s say goodbye to sawdust burgers and change our grilling game forever!

These grilled cheeseburgers are flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to absolute perfection. I’ve got all the tips & tricks to make sure you’re grilling up burgers like a pro.

As much as I love a fancy gourmet burger recipe, there’s something so nostalgic about a classic, no-frills cheeseburger. These are perfect for serving up at your next summer BBQ!

Looking for some lighter fare? Try my southwest turkey burgers or juicy grilled chicken burgers.

How to Make Classic Grilled Cheeseburgers

You can grill cheeseburgers indoors with a quality grill pan, but outdoor grilling is the best in the summer! I just invested in a new grill and it’s the best thing I’ve done to up my outdoor cooking game. I’ve linked the grill I purchased below!

Tools Needed

• Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan
• Mixing Bowl
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Burger Mold & Press

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Ground beef. I like a mixture of 80/20 ground beef and 90/10 ground sirloin. You need the fat to keep the burgers juicy, but I like the flavor of the ground sirloin.
• Worcestershire sauce. This is the secret to all the best burgers! Worcestershire sauce adds umami and the perfect savory flavor to jazz up the ground beef.
• Garlic and onion powder. In my opinion, the best classic grilled cheeseburgers are simple! I don’t go overboard on the seasonings. All you need is some garlic powder and onion powder.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with salt here! Ground beef is dense and you need a significant amount of salt and pepper to give these burgers flavor.
• Burger toppings. I like to keep things simple and go with my classic burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sharp cheddar slices.

The Process

1. Season the beef. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and the ground sirloin. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently mix by hand until just combined. Don’t overmix! This is how you end up with tough and dry burgers.
2. Shape the patties. Divide the ground beef mixture into 4 equal portions (about 6 oz each). Use a burger mold to firmly press the burgers into patties. Transfer the formed patties to a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate the burgers for 30 minutes.
3. Make the burger sauce. In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients for the burger sauce and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Prep the grill for zone cooking. Light one side of the grill over medium heat. Close the lid and preheat for 10-15 minutes. Make sure the grates of your grill are cleaned of any debris and lightly grease them with oil or nonstick cooking spray.
5. Grill the burgers. Season the outside of the burger patties with salt and pepper. Place the burgers over direct heat and grill for 3 minutes per side, just until grill marks form with the lid open. Turn off the heat and move the burgers to the side of the grill that was not lit and close the lid for 5 minutes. Place the cheese slices on top of the burgers and close the lid for 1 more minute.
6. Assemble the burgers. Remove the burgers from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes. Assemble them on the toasted buns with burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Enjoy right away.

Grilling 101 Tips

Grilling can feel intimidating, but it’s an easy skill to learn and will totally elevate your cooking game in the summer. Here are all my best tips for grilling like a pro!

Work with a clean grill. This is such an important step and makes all the difference when it comes to grilling. Make sure to clean your grill of any food or debris before you start cooking. This helps keep food from sticking.

Adequately preheat your grill. Making sure your grates are completely heated through is so important! Make sure to let your grill preheat for at least 15 minutes. The best option is to preheat the grill over medium heat, not high heat.

Lightly grease your grill grates. You can use nonstick spray, but the best method is a rag lightly soaked with high-temperature oil. Use tongs to rub the cloth on the grates to give them a light coating of oil. This also helps when grilling foods with sticky marinades or fish, which can stick easily.

Embrace zone cooking. This isn’t necessarily true for all recipes, but especially when grilling up meat. You’ll want to sear the meat over direct heat, then move it over to the side of the grill that has no burners lit. It’ll continue to cook, but gently, so that you never end up with overcooked, dry meats.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Don’t be shy with the salt. If you’ve ever had an under-seasoned burger, you’ll know how disappointing they are. We add salt to the burger mix as well as the outside of the patties so that the burgers are seasoned throughout.

Use a burger mold. While you can shape burgers with your hands, it’s hard to keep the form firm. When you don’t have a tightly packed burger patty, they’re much easier to cook! They also hold their shape better while grilling. Embrace the burger mold!

It’s better to undercook than overcook a burger. I personally prefer a medium-rare/medium burger, but while you can always cook a burger a little more, you can’t walk back an overcooked burger. Better to use conservative judgement because the burger will come up a bit while resting.

Grilling with Pre-Formed Burger Patties

One of my favorite ways to save time is to use fresh pre-formed patties. Don’t go for the super-thin frozen patties!

When using pre-formed patties, look for ones that are 1/3 lb (about 5.5 oz). Make sure to season the outside really well with salt and pepper. I also will use steak seasoning to give the burgers more flavor, plus a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce per side of the patties.

Once you’ve got your pre-formed burger patties seasoned, follow the same cooking instructions.

Indoor Cooking Methods

When it comes to classic cheeseburgers, I love using the grill but that’s not always feasible depending on the time of year. I’m of the mind that cheeseburgers should be enjoyed all year long, so here are my methods for indoor cooking!

How to Pan Fry

1. Add 2 tablespoons of neutral oil to the bottom of a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat (enough so that it coats the surface). Heat until a drop of water sizzles when dropped into the pan. Gently add the burgers into the pan and cook for 4 minutes.
2. Carefully flip the burgers, and cook for another 4 minutes. Top with cheese and let the cheese melt onto the burgers.
3. Remove the burgers from the pan and let them rest for 5 minutes.

Using an Indoor Grill Pan

1. Preheat your grill pan over medium heat for at least 5 minutes.
2. Lightly drizzle a bit of neutral oil over the pan.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the burgers to the pan and cook them for 4 minutes per side, until cooked to desired doneness.
4. Remove the burgers from the pan and let them rest for 5 minutes.

What to Serve with Classic Grilled Cheeseburgers

Since these classic grilled cheeseburgers are perfect for a cookout, you’ll need all the yummy sides to serve alongside them!

I love serving up cheeseburgers with my mom’s classic potato salad, dressed up baked beans, or my creamy pesto pasta salad. Corn on the cob is another great option!

Need some great summer desserts? Try my bourbon peach crisp, wild blueberry cobbler, or my giant skillet chocolate chip cookie.

Storage & Make Ahead Instructions

Patties may be formed up to 24 hours before cooking. Store in a covered container in the fridge.

• After cooking through, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat the burgers by warming incrementally in the microwave until warmed through. Alternately warm them in a skillet with a lid over low heat until warmed through.

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These Classic Grilled Cheeseburgers are a must for your next summer BBQ! They’re fresh, flavorful, and completely juicy. If you do give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Grilling Recipes to Try

Grilled Hoisin-Glazed Pork Chops
Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp
Greek Grilled Salmon
Grilled Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
Grilled Fish Tacos

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