Perfect Charcoal-Grilled Hamburgers with Gourmet Flare

Ingredients

Main Components:
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)

Burger Seasoning:
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder

Toppings:
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 4 leaves of lettuce
- 8 slices of pickles
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Side Dishes:
- 4 cups mixed green salad
- 1 cup coleslaw

Cold Drinks:
- 4 bottles of chilled craft beer or soda

Instructions

1. Prepare the Charcoal Grill:
- Preheat your charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Ensure the coals are white-hot and have developed a thin layer of ash. This should take approximately 20 minutes.

2. Form the Patties:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Gently mix until just combined. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties approximately ¾-inch thick, creating a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent puffing during grilling.

3. Grill the Patties:
- Place the patties on the grill over direct heat. Cover the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side until grill marks form. Flip the patties and add a slice of cheddar cheese to each one, if using. Cover and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes for medium doneness.

4. Toast the Buns:
- During the last 2 minutes of cooking, place the hamburger buns on the grill, cut side down. Toast until lightly golden and warm.

5. Assemble the Burgers:
- Spread mayonnaise on the bottom of each toasted bun. Top with lettuce, a burger patty, tomato slices, onion rings, pickles, and a drizzle of ketchup and mustard. Finish with the top bun.

6. Prepare the Side Dishes:
- Serve the burgers with a fresh mixed green salad and a side of coleslaw.

7. Serve with Cold Drinks:
- Pair your gourmet hamburgers with chilled craft beer or soda for the perfect meal.

Total Time

PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

charcoal grilling, gourmet hamburgers, easy hamburger recipe, grilling recipes, burger toppings, summer barbecue, backyard cookout, classic cheeseburgers, grilling techniques, dinner ideas

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

2180 calories (entire dish including side dishes and drinks)

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