This indoor burger recipe make six burgers (too many for one pan), so use the broiler or finish the pan-seared burgers all at once in the oven. Ground beef is available in plenty of designer styles and fat-to-lean ratios. Use what you like. Remember that the higher fat content varieties like chuck have a rich, juicy taste and a smoother texture than the leaner ones, which tend to be dry and grainy. Chuck will also spatter up your stovetop and broiler a bit more. Either way, good ventilation is important. Burger doneness is an individual right that the government recommends you exercise at 160°F for proper food safety. Whatever temperature you pick, remove the burgers from heat when they are about 5 degrees below that target as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests. R. B. himself goes into fits above 130°F. He’s still with us, knock on wood, despite rare burgers and the raw oysters he downs with abandon.

　　

Ingredients

makes 6 burgers

　　2 pounds ground chuck or other ground beef

　　1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

　　1 tablespoon Cheater Basic Dry Rub (page 45)

　　1 tablespoon bottled smoke

　　For Broiler Burgers

　　

For Broiler Burgers

Step 1

HEAT the broiler. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to heat.

　　

Step 2

COMBINE the meat, Worcestershire sauce, dry rub, and bottled smoke in a large bowl and mix well.

　　

Step 3

DIVIDE the meat into 6 equal portions. Form patties about 1 inch thick (or whatever size you like). Carefully place the patties on the hot baking sheet.

　　

Step 4

BROIL the burgers to your liking, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them only if you feel like it.

　　

For Skillet-Seared Oven Burgers

Step 5

HEAT the oven to 450°F.

　　

Step 6

COMBINE the meat, Worcestershire sauce, dry rub, and bottled smoke in a large bowl and mix well.

　　

Step 7

DIVIDE the meat into 6 equal portions. Form patties about 1 inch thick.

　　

Step 8

BROWN the burgers, three at a time, in a very hot skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer all the burgers to a large rimmed baking sheet.

　　

Step 9

FINISH the burgers in the oven until cooked to your liking. Check the internal temperature after 5 minutes.

　　Cheater BBQ