World's Best Classic Homemade Hamburger

Preheat your grill or stovetop skillet to medium-high heat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until well combined.

Divide ground beef into 4 equal parts. Shape each portion into a patty, slightly larger than your buns, as they'll shrink during cooking. Make a slight in the center of each patty to prevent it from bulging in the middle while cooking.

If using a grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking. If using a skillet, heat asmall amount of oil.

Place the burger patties onto the preheated grill or skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium doneness, or adjust the time according to your preferred level of doneness.

In the meantime, slice the burger buns in half horizontally. Place them cut side down on the grill or skillet to toast for about 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.

Once the patties are cooked to your desired level, remove them from the grill or skillet and place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty. Allow the residual heat to melt the cheese slightly.

Assemble the burgers: On the bottom half of each toasted bun, place a lettuce leaf, followed by a tomato slice, onion slice, and 2 pickle slices. Add the cooked patty with melted cheese on top. Optionally, spread ketchup or your favorite sauce on the top half of the bun. Place the top bun over the patty to complete the burger.

Serve immediately and enjoy this classic hamburger with your favorite side dish!