Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 good hamburger buns
- Toppings: mustard, onion rounds and cheese slices
Directions
1. If you have the time, take the beef out of the refrigerator 10 to 20 minutes before you are ready to cook it.
2. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, or preheat a grill to high.
3. Place the beef in a large bowl, add the Worcestershire sauce and onion powder, and mix with your hands until the ingredients are just combined (do not compact the meat or it may result in a dense burger).
4. Lightly dampen your hands. Divide the beef into 4 equal portions. Gently form each into a loose ball, then pat the balls into 3/4-inch thick patties. Press down in the center of each patty with your thumb to make a ¼-inch-deep or so indentation (this keeps your burgers from puffing up in the center when they cook). Season the patties well on both sides with the salt and pepper to taste. Place on the pan or grill indented-side up and cook on each side for about 3 minutes for rare, 3 ½ minutes for medium-rare, 4 minutes for medium, and 5 minutes for well-done.
5. Transfer to a plate and let sit for about 5 minutes for the burgers to finish cooking and so the juices can redistribute throughout the patties, then put the burgers on buns and add your choice of toppings.