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Juicy ground beef patties with caramelized crust on white plate with melted butter

Easy Ground Beef Patties

Perfectly seasoned, restaurant-quality beef patties with a caramelized crust and juicy center. These simple patties cook in just 10 minutes and deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. Master this foundational technique for burgers, protein bowls, or standalone entrees.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 548

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Patties
  • 700 g ground beef 80/20 blend
For the Seasoning Blend
  • 10 g fine sea salt
  • 4 g freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 g garlic powder
  • 3 g onion powder
For Cooking
  • 20 ml avocado oil
  • 30 g unsalted butter

Method
 

Portion and Shape the Patties
  1. Divide the 700g ground beef into 4 equal portions of 175g each. Gently form each portion into a patty about 2cm thick, handling the meat as little as possible to maintain tenderness.
Create Center Indentations
  1. Press a shallow indentation (about 1cm deep) into the center of each patty using your thumb. This prevents the patties from puffing up into a dome shape during cooking and ensures even thickness.
Season the Patties
  1. Combine the 10g salt, 4g black pepper, 4g garlic powder, and 3g onion powder in a small bowl. Season both sides of each patty generously with the spice mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere.
Preheat the Skillet
  1. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking hot, about 3-4 minutes. Add the 20ml avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan surface.
Sear the First Side
  1. Place patties in the hot pan, leaving space between each. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until a deep brown, caramelized crust forms on the bottom. Resist the urge to move or press them.
Flip and Finish Cooking
  1. Flip the patties using a sturdy spatula. Immediately add the 30g butter to the pan, letting it melt around the patties. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, spooning the melted butter over the patties continuously.
Rest Before Serving
  1. Transfer patties to a clean plate and let rest for 3 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.

Notes

  • The 80/20 beef blend (80% lean, 20% fat) is crucial for juicy, flavorful patties—leaner beef ratios will result in dry, tough texture
  • Never press down on patties while cooking as this squeezes out precious juices and fat, leading to drier results
  • For food safety, ensure patties reach a minimum internal temperature of 71°C (160°F) when measured with a meat thermometer
  • These patties work beautifully on burger buns, over salads, with roasted vegetables, or alongside mashed potatoes