5 from 2 votes

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burger 

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The ultimate combination of a grilled cheese and a burger- a grilled cheese burger! Made in under 20 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
­£1.39
Makes: 2
Main
American

It’s the ultimate multilayer patty melt- this grilled cheese burger includes juicy and caramelized meat, a gooey cheese pull and crispy toasted bread.

grilled cheese burger cut in half then stacked on top of one another and being held by a hand

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Flavorful Mashup-  I’m not interested in a burger without cheese. So when I thought of the idea to make a cheese burger more readily available using slices of bread, the idea of a grilled cheese burger came to light. 
  • Satisfying- Comfort food can often take a while to whip up but the rich, indulgent flavours made with this recipe arrive on your plate within 20 minutes. 
  •  Better than Fast Food- The problem with fast food is it often doesn’t retain heat very well. You’re left eating a cold cheese burger which feels bland and perhaps a little soggy. Making this grilled cheese burger at home guarantees you the best cheese pull and temp when feasting out. 

Need inspiration for some delicious side dish recipes? Try my Crispy Homemade Oven Chips, Air fryer Zucchini Fries, Airfryer Frozen Fries

Is a grilled cheese burger the same as a grilled cheeseburger?

A grilled cheese burger is a grilled cheese and burger mashup and has buttered (or mayo’d) grilled bread. Just like this recipe!   

OR  A grilled cheeseburger is a burger that was grilled and then cheese was added.  Normally served on a bun that may or may not be toasted.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the grilled cheese burger in a skillet laid out on a pale blue background and labeled with arrows.

The main ingredients that make this Grilled Cheese Burger recipe fantastic are the following:

5% fat beef mince ~ You can increase the fat content of your cheeseburger, I’ve gone for a leaner beef mince as we’re adding fat in the form of two types of cheese and mayo. 

American cheese~ It’s called burger cheese for a reason. This is a must for your grilled cheeseburger to get the best melty center. 

Thick sliced bread~ Try to use thick sliced bread so that it holds up to the filling and won’t become soggy. 

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Add thinly sliced onions- If you want to make this cheese burger sandwich more similar to a smash burger, you could thinly slice some onions and add them on top of the burger whilst frying. 

Use different cheese-  If you want to make your burger fancier or mix up the flavours, you could add gruyere or blue cheese. Any cheese that melts nicely will work well with this cheese burger sandwich. 

Use sourdough~ Another way to be fancy is to use sourdough bread. This will be a lot firmer than white bread so bear this texture in mind when subbing with sourdough. It does mean you could add even more cheese if you wanted to though! 

How to make a grilled cheese burger

  1. Split the beef mince in half using a sharp knife (Image 1).
  2. Using your hands, roll each half of the beef mince into a ball and sprinkle with salt (Image 2).
Two step by step photos with the first showing a hand holding half of the minced beef and the other half of the beef laying on a cutting board near a chef's knife and the second showing both halves being rolled into balls and sprinkled with salt.

3. Preheat a cast iron skillet for 1 minute over high heat, then add oil and the balls of minced beef (Image 3).

4. In the pan, flatten each ball using the flat part of a dish such as a ramekin, plate, or bowl (Image 4).

Two step by step photos with the first showing two equally sized balls of minced beef (ground beef) in a cast iron skillet with oil and the second showing a hand using a flat dish to flatten the balls of meat into patties.

5. Fry the burger for 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes on the other side (Image 5).

6. For the last two minutes of cooking add the cheese slices so they melt nicely, then remove the burgers from the pan (Image 6).

Two step by step photos with the first showing two browned beef mince patties in a skillet and the second showing the two beef mince patties with American cheese slices on top.

7. Coat one side of each bread slice with mayonnaise and then place it mayo side down in the hot skillet. Add the cheesy burger you set aside in step 6, the shredded mozzarella, the mustard, and the second piece of american cheese, and the second piece of bread and cook 2 minutes (Image 7).

8. After 2 minutes on one side, flip the entire stack to cook the other piece of mayo slathered bread for another 2 minutes. Once it is nicely grilled and melty, serve immediately (Image 8).

Two step by step photos with the first showing a slice of bread in a pan with a cheesy burger, shredded mozzarella, and mustard on top and the second showing a finished grilled cheese burger in a skillet.

If you’ve got a taste for beef after trying this yummy burger sandwich, consider making one of the following recipes; Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer (Hamburgers in 15 Minutes!), Beef Keema (Mince Curry), Beef udon noodles

Tips for the best result

  • Adjust Cooking Time: Keep in mind that thicker patties will take longer to cook, so use a meat thermometer to ensure the center reaches the desired doneness. For a juicy burger, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for well-done or slightly less for medium.
  • Season the beef mince/ patties generously with salt and pepper.
  • Use a cast iron pan if possible for the best distribution of heat, leading to the most even cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Classic Fries ~  Serve with crispy golden fries, either regular or sweet potato, paired with ketchup, garlic aioli, or spicy mayo for dipping. Or if you’re feeling wild, you could try with my in and out animal style fries recipe.

Side Salad: Balance the richness with a fresh side salad, like a tangy coleslaw or a mixed green salad with a parmesan vinaigrette. 

FAQs

Is there a difference between a grilled cheese burger and a patty melt?  

Most patty melts also have caramelized onion and sometimes a special sauce. 

Can I use frozen hamburger patties for this recipe? 

Yes, you can use frozen hamburger patties for this recipe. Just make sure to cook them directly from frozen over a medium/high heat, allowing extra time for the patties to cook through evenly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Consider making these other delightful veggie side dishes during the week; Crispy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Chilli Mayo, Budget Green Goddess Salad (Viral Tiktok Recipe), Cavolo Nero with Garlic & Lemon

If you tried this Grilled Cheese Burger Recipe, it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burger

Print
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
­£1.39
Main
American
Servings: 2
The ultimate combination of a grilled cheese and a burger- a grilled cheese burger! Made in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 250 g beef mince (5% fat) (£2.70/2)
  • 4 slices of american cheese (£0.60)
  • 75 g mozzarella, grated (£2.50/4)
  • 4 slices of thick white bread (£0.75/4)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 4 tsp american mustard
  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Method

  • Form two patties out of the beef mince and season with salt and pepper.
  • Place a cast iron pan or frying pan, over a high heat and allow it to preheat for a minute.
  • Press each patty to a thickness of about 2cm. Fry for 4 minutes on each side, adding the american cheese for the final two minutes of fry time.
  • Remove both patties from the pan, then add a thin layer of mayo on to each slice of bread.
  • Place two pieces of bread, mayo-side down, back into the pan over a medium/low heat, then add a layer of mozzarella, the cheesy burger patty, a drizzle of mustard, and the other piece of bread, with the mayo facing outwards.
  • Fry each side for 2 minutes, or until nicely grilled and melted. Serve immediately & enjoy! Optionally top with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Adjust Cooking Time: Thicker patties require longer cooking; use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for 160°F (71°C) for well-done or slightly lower for medium.
  • Season Generously: Season the beef mince or patties well with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
  • Use a Cast Iron Pan: A cast iron pan provides better heat distribution, ensuring even cooking of the patties.

Nutrition

Servings: 2 servings
Fat: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Sugar: 2g
Calories: 464kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 39g
5 from 2 votes

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Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. I’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

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Comments

  1. speedy lunch. I used slightly less cheese to make it lighter5 stars

  2. New obsession. Gonna start having this as a Friday treat for lunch5 stars

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