A sprinkling of smoked paprika makes all the difference in this delicious recipe for broiled hamburgers.
The secret to these super delicious burgers? A generous sprinkling of smoked paprika. The combination of the seasoned beef and the sharp cheddar is phenomenal.
I like to use the broiler to cook hamburgers because it's so easy. Much easier than pan-frying, that's for sure! Just keep an eye on the burgers to make sure they cook to your liking and don't become overcooked.
The ingredients you'll need
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty burgers. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
Ground beef: I use lean (85/15) ground beef. In my opinion, a leaner mixture will result in dry hamburgers. So I don't recommend it.
Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use. A teaspoon of kosher salt weighs less than a teaspoon of regular salt.
Spices: Garlic powder and smoked paprika. Make sure they are fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish!
Sliced cheddar: I like to use sharp or even extra sharp cheddar. It's so flavorful!
How to broil hamburgers
It's so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
1. Gently work the spices into the meat.
2. Divide the seasoned ground beef into four portions and shape them into patties.
3. Place the patties on a wire rack fitted inside a rimmed baking sheet. Gently push down on the center of each patty to create a dimple (here's why).
4. Broil the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on your preferred degree of doneness.
5. Turn the broiler off. Top each burger with a slice of cheese and return the pan to the oven to melt the cheese.
Really? You can bake or broil hamburgers?
Yes! Frying or grilling do work best to create a wonderful crust on the outside of patties, sealing the juices in. But broiled burgers, while not as wonderfully browned, are excellent, and broiling is so much easier than frying.
As for baked hamburgers, they are delicious, but they are the least juicy out of all these hamburger cooking options.
How long does it take to cook burgers under the broiler?
Not long! I broil these hamburgers for 3 minutes per side. Even if you like them medium, you should probably not broil them for longer than 4 minutes per side.
Obviously, as with all recipes, you will need to check in your own oven and make sure they are done to your liking.
What type of ground beef to use?
Admittedly, using freshly ground chuck is always best. But I find that these burgers, made with vacuum-packed 85/15 ground beef, are just as good as the fancy ones that I sometimes order at upscale restaurants.
How to serve broiled hamburgers
I don't bother with buns when serving them. It's been a long time since I had any kind of bread. Sure, cloud bread and 90-second bread can serve as buns. But I find that bunless burgers are just as enjoyable.
As for side dishes, they're great with fries. Jicama fries or zucchini fries for low-carb or keto options, and steak fries if you don't mind the carbs.
How to keep leftovers?
Leftovers keep fine in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave on 50% power. Start with about 30 seconds per side and see if they're heated through.
More tasty ground beef recipes
For a truly amazing burger experience, try these bacon burgers. Mixing ground bacon into the ground beef makes for some extra juicy, extra flavorful beef patties.
And this cheesy meat pie is amazing. It's one of my favorite ways to cook ground beef.
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Broiled Hamburgers
INGREDIENTS
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 lb. lean ground beef (85/15)
- 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (not fine salt)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 4 (1 oz) slices extra sharp cheddar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat broiler on high. Position an oven rack directly (3-4 inches) below the heating element. Line a rimmed broiler-safe baking sheet with foil and fit it with a wire rack. Spray the rack with oil.
- Sprinkle the Kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika on the meat. Work the spices gently and evenly into the meat.
- Divide the seasoned meat into four equal 8-oz portions and gently shape them into four large patties, 5 inches wide and ½ inch thick.
- Place the burger patties on the prepared wire rack. Push down on the center of each patty to create a 2-inch-wide dimple. This will help the burgers stay flat as they cook.
- Broil the burgers to medium-rare, about 3 minutes per side. For medium, broil 4 minutes per side.
- Turn the oven off, top each burger patty with a slice of cheese, and return to the still-warm oven for just a few seconds, until cheese is melted. Serve the broiled burgers immediately.
NOTES
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. 