Discover burger bliss with these steamed cheeseburgers. Tender, juicy, and expertly steamed, it's topped with melted cheese, nestled in a soft bun with fresh toppings.
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
I've been loving on my steamer, and what I love most is that you can use it for much more things than steaming vegetables.
When a grill isn't accessible, or the weather is less than fair, you can still enjoy a good burger inside without smoking up the house by pan frying. Not only that, steaming allows the beef fat to melt away, leaving you with a lean but still juicy burger.
You'll be surprised how many things you can steam, and still maintain delicious flavor! My steamed lobster tails for instance are delicious and perfectly cooked.
Steamed Cheeseburger Ingredients
- Lean ground beef - lean beef rather than regular beef will still yield a juicy burger. The process of steaming adds back the moisture that the fat would have otherwise provided.
- Hamburger seasoning or seasoning of choice - Use a simple salt and pepper seasoning, or opt for my homemade hamburger seasoning that will take your burger to the next level!
- Hamburger buns - Split top buns are what I've used here but whatever your preference is, you can use those.
- Cheese - Our favorite is a fresh slice of cheddar cheese, but any cheese like provolone, swiss, muenster, or even a smoky gouda will do just fine.
- Burger toppings and condiments- Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, spicy mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or even bacon.
Tools needed for this recipe
- Steamer basket
- Mixing bowl for meat and seasonings.
How To Make Steamed Cheeseburgers
Fill a steamer basket with 1 inch of water, making sure the water won’t touch the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and hamburger seasoning. Mix well, but avoid overworking the meat, as it can make the burgers tough.
Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions, about ¼ of a pound each, and shape each portion into a patty that matches the size of your hamburger buns. Press your thumb in the center of each patty to create a slight indentation. This will help the patties cook evenly.
I use a biscuit cutter that is the same size as my burger bun to shape each burger.
Place the patties in the steamer basket in a single layer.
Cover the pot with a lid and steam the patties for about 8 minutes. While the patties are steaming, you can prepare your hamburger buns. Split them open and lightly toast them if desired. You can also add your desired burger toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, and pickles.
After 8 minutes, remove the steamer from the heat, open the lid, and top the burgers with cheese. Cover the steamer basket and leave it covered for 1 minute.
Assemble your steamed cheeseburgers by placing each patty with melted cheese on the bottom half of a toasted hamburger bun. Add your desired toppings and cover with the top half of the bun.
How to store steamed cheeseburgers
To maintain freshness and moisture, it's ideal to store steamed burgers in a resealable plastic bag, wrapped in plastic wrap, or in an airtight container.
Can I freeze steamed cheeseburgers? While it is possible to freeze steamed cheeseburgers, it's important to note that freezing can affect the texture and quality of the burger. If you do freeze, allow the burgers to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag.
What to serve with Steamed Cheeseburgers
When serving steamed cheeseburgers, you can pair them with a variety of delicious side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Here are a few options that pair well with steamed cheeseburgers:
- French Fries: Air fryer french fries, or even these KFC potato wedges!
- Coleslaw: Perfect for burgers, try my broccoli slaw, Jamaican coleslaw, or this simple but tasty coleslaw recipe.
- Salad: For a lighter option, a fresh garden salad or a Caesar salad can provide a refreshing balance. Also try a creamy southern style macaroni salad, a Hawaiian macaroni salad, or this hearty southern potato salad.
- Pickles: A classic accompaniment to burgers! Try these air fryer fried pickles, or my quick refrigerator pickles.
- Sweet Potato Wedges or slices: If you prefer a healthier alternative to fries, sweet potato wedges or slices are a fantastic choice.
- Corn on the Cob: In the summer months, grilled or steamed corn on the cob is a great side dish. Try this flavorful Mexican corn on the cob or this cheddar and sour cream corn on the cob.
Where did steamed burgers come from?
Steamed burgers are believed to originate from Jack's Lunch in central Connecticut around the 1920s. Steamed in a copper box 18 stacks tall! If you wanted cheese it was an additional 5 cents, imagine! While steaming cheeseburgers aren't a common thing you'll find in restaurants around America, you can still enjoy a juicy steamed burger at the more popular Ted's Restaurant in Connecticut and some surrounding cities.
FAQ's
Because of the lack of oil, butter, and fats, steaming cheeseburgers are a healthier option. During the steaming process, the fats inside of the meat are melted away into the water below and replaced with the moisture the water provides. Leaving a juicy but lean cheeseburger.
You can steam frozen burger patties, just be aware that the cooking time may vary, and it is recommended to check the internal temperature of the burgers before serving. Also, depending on the size of your frozen burger patties, you may only fit 2 or 3 in the steamer basket.
It's called scum and it's a mix of protein and water. It's harmless and can simple be wiped off if you prefer not to eat it.
Notes
- Notes: Burgers are done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74°C). Use a quick-read thermometer to check the temperature.
Looking for more delicious recipes? Try these out:
- Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- Korean Sloppy Joes
- Southern Tomato Sandwich
- Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Lean ground beef
- 1 tablesoon Hamburger seasoning or seasoning of choice
- 4 Hamburger buns
- 4 slices of Cheese
- Burger toppings lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, spicy mayo, etc
Instructions
- Fill a steamer basket with 1 inch of water, making sure the water won’t touch the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and hamburger seasoning. Mix well, but avoid overworking the meat, as it can make the burgers tough.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions, about ¼ of a pound each, and shape each portion into a patty that matches the size of your hamburger buns. Press your thumb in the center of each patty to create a slight indentation. This will help the patties cook evenly.
- Place the patties in the steamer basket in a single layer.
- Cover the pot with a lid and steam the patties for about 8 minutes. While the patties are steaming, you can prepare your hamburger buns. Split them open and lightly toast them if desired. You can also add your desired burger toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, and pickles.
- After 8 minutes, remove the steamer from the heat, open the lid, and top the burgers with cheese. Cover the steamer basket and leave it covered for 1 minute.
- Assemble your steamed cheeseburgers by placing each patty with melted cheese on the bottom half of a toasted hamburger bun. Add your desired toppings and cover with the top half of the bun.
