If using a gas or charcoal grill:

1. Heat grill for 5-10 minutes at high heat.
2. While grill is heating up, place ground beef into a mixing bowl. Add salt and mix with hands until salt is evenly mixed through but no longer. Do not overmix.
3. Divide meat into 3 or 4 evenly-sized pieces (depending on how big you want your burgers). Form each piece into a ball and then flatten it out into a patty shape. Making the burgers 1/2″ – 3/4″ in thickness works well. You can make them thinner if you like, just remember they will cook faster.
4. Place burger patties on the grill. Cook on the first side for 3 minutes for medium-rare, 4 minutes for medium, and 5 minutes for well done.
5. Flip burgers once and finish cooking on the second side an additional 3 minutes for medium-rare, 4 minutes for medium and 5 minutes for well done. Use the temperature guide above to determine if the burger is done. Using an instant-read cooking thermometer is super helpful because cooking times will vary depending on how thick the burgers are and how hot your grill is.
6. If desired, add cheese during the last minute of cooking.
7. Remove burgers from the grill, sprinkle with some pepper, and enjoy!

If using the stovetop:

1. Heat pan over medium-high heat (around 7 on a knob that goes from 1-10). Cast iron pans are the best but use whatever frying pan is your favorite.
2. While the pan is heating, place ground beef into a mixing bowl. Add salt and mix with hands until salt is evenly mixed through but no longer. Do not overmix.
3. Divide meat into 3 or 4 evenly-sized pieces (depending on how big you want your burgers). Form each piece into a ball and then flatten it out into a patty shape. Making the burgers 1/2″ – 3/4″ in thickness works well. You can make them thinner if you like, just remember they will cook faster.
4. Place burger patties on pan. Cook on the first side for 3 minutes for medium-rare, 4 minutes for medium, and 5 minutes for well done.
5. Flip burgers once and finish cooking on the second side an additional 3 minutes for medium-rare, 4 minutes for medium and 5 minutes for well done. Use the temperature guide above to determine if the burger is done. Using an instant-read cooking thermometer is super helpful because cooking times will vary depending on how thick the burgers are and how hot your grill is.
6. If desired, add cheese during the last minute of cooking.
7. Remove burgers from the pan, dab with a paper towel if they are super greasy from the pan, then sprinkle with some pepper. Enjoy!