Whitt's Place

Your source for local farm fresh meat.
Recipes / Beef Recipes
By Whitt • June 1, 2026

Classic Beef Burgers

Beef Recipes Hamburger Recipes Ground Beef Recipes Recipes

Just good beef, salt, and heat

A great burger doesn't need much — start with fresh, well-marbled Whitt's Place ground beef and you're most of the way there. Season generously with salt right before cooking, get your pan or grill screaming hot, and don't overwork the meat.

The salt crust is the secret: applied just before cooking, it builds a savory, deeply browned exterior while the inside stays juicy.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs Whitt's Place ground beef (80/20)
  • Coarse kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 slices cheese (optional)
  • Butter, for the buns
  • Lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, to serve

Instructions

  1. Divide the beef into 4 loose portions and gently form into patties, handling them as little as possible. Press a small dimple into the center of each.
  2. Season both sides generously with coarse salt and pepper right before cooking.
  3. Heat a cast iron skillet or grill until very hot. Cook the patties 3–4 minutes per side for medium, adding cheese in the last minute.
  4. Meanwhile, butter the buns and toast them until golden.
  5. Rest the patties for a couple of minutes, then build your burgers with your favorite toppings.

Whitt's Tip

Don't press the patties with your spatula while they cook — you're squeezing out the juices that make the burger great.