Nostalgic Sizzle Burgers are fried ground beef patties seasoned with salt and pepper in a cast-iron skillet with Worcestershire sauce and butter.
The Nostalgia of a Sizzle Burger
David decided it was time to make some Sizzle Burgers, so we took a trip down memory lane. Starting with my memories as a child.
There’s nothing like a good fried hamburger now and then. I have fond memories of when my mama would fry us one on Friday nights when my daddy was eating at the hunting club. She would fry the hamburgers in the pan without anything but the wonderful juices of the meat. She would put the burger in the center of two pieces of mustard-covered loaf bread and cut it into triangles.
We would usually have potato chips or French fries to accompany our burgers. Those burgers were better than ones from any fast food restaurant, and she made them in a matter of minutes in the comfort of our home.
David has fond memories of his mama frying hamburgers, too. He said years ago, they saw a commercial for Worcestershire sauce on television. The commercial introduced people to “Sizzle Burgers.” Sizzle Burgers are doused with a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce, which makes them sizzle.
His mama started making them, and that memory has stayed with him just like my mama’s mustard-topped triangle burger sandwich. They were the best burgers!
Ingredients Needed To Make Sizzle Burgers
Sizzle Burgers are ground hamburger patties seasoned with salt and pepper, fried in a pan with Worcestershire sauce and butter until golden brown, then placed on a bun with cheese and your toppings of choice. This recipe makes four burgers. The recipe card at the end of this post lists the full ingredient list with measurements.
Ground Beef: You’ll need about a pound of ground beef. We always use chuck (80/20) for our burgers.
Seasoning: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Butter: use unsalted butter to control the salinity of the burger.
Worcestershire Sauce: You only need 2-4 splashes to taste.
Cheese (optional): we used cheddar cheese here, but any sliced cheese, such as Swiss or American cheese. Whatever cheese you have in the fridge works!
Buns: split and toasted hamburger buns for serving. Or you can use square bread like my mama used to!
How To Make Sizzle Burgers
- Patty the burgers and season them with salt and pepper.
- Cook the burgers in a cast iron pan with butter and a splash of Worcestershire sauce until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side.
- Flip the burgers, add more butter, splash more Worcestershire, and cook the burgers until golden brown and very slightly charred on the second side.
- Top with sliced cheese (if using), cover the pan with a lid, or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese. Remove the burgers from the pan. Place the buns in a warm place and allow them to rest.
- Brown the buns in the pan with more butter until lightly crispy.
- Sandwich the hot burgers between the buns, and add your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.
What Do You Put On Sizzle Burgers?
We highly recommend limiting the toppings so as not to overpower the great flavor of the sizzle burgers because less is always more!
Optional Toppings:
- Condiments – mayo, mustard, and ketchup.
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Pickles
Recipe Tips
- Keep the meat tender. Do not over-pack the beef.
- Make a deep depression in the center of the burger patty with your thumb so the patty will not shrink as much.
- Use a cast-iron skillet to get a nice char on the burgers for best results.
Do you have fried hamburger memories, too? What’s your favorite way to fry a hamburger?
We’d love to hear from you. Rate this recipe and comment below!
Sizzle Burgers
Useful Equipment:
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2-4 splashes Worcestershire Sauce to taste
- 4 hamburger buns split; toasted, if desired
Suggested Toppings: Cheese slices, onions, mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, the possibilities are endless!
Instructions
- Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into a ¼-inch-thick burger. Do not over pack and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb, so that it will not shrink as much. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of butter in the pan or medium-high heat until the butter begins to foam. Splash in some Worcestershire sauce and place burger in the pan. Cook until golden brown and very slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes.
- Before flipping the burgers add 2 tablespoons more of the butter and allow it to melt. Flip the burgers over and move them around in the butter to coat the bottoms. Splash is some more Worcestershire and cook the burgers until golden brown and very slightly charred on the second side. 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese).
- Add the cheese, if using, to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking and top the pan with a lid or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese. Remove the burgers from the pan. Place in a warm place and allow to rest while browning the buns.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the pan. Split the buns in half and place them in the pan. Allow the buns to brown and become crispy.
- Sandwich the hot burgers between the buns, add toppings and serve immediately.
Andria A says
This looks really good…and you can enjoy it in the winter too when your barbecue is surrounded by 10ft of snow!
Debbie Spivey says
So true! Although, David has been known to dig it out to grill…lol!
Have a good day! 🙂
Al Mizelle says
I love a good sizzle burger just as much as a grilled burger! But, back to the grill…Many years ago David introduced me to his famous “BBQ Burgers”. I was amazed at how something so simple could be so good and I had never thought of doing it! We still enjoy them regularly.
Debbie Spivey says
Yes, those famous BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers… I don’t care for BBQ part but that’s ok, I can admire folks as they eat them. 🙂
David says
Fried burgers are the best excuse possible to go out and buy a beautiful 12 inch cast iron skillet 🙂 Christmas is coming up!
Debbie Spivey says
Nothing like it!
Karen says
I, too, have fond memories of the Sizzle Burgers from the Worcestershire Sauce commercial. I was just thinking of that, as I pulled out my Worcestershire Sauce to douse into my Spaghetti sauce. Lover that Worcestershire sauce. I could not remember if Sizzle Burgers was really a name, or if that was just what my family called it. so, had to look it up on the web.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Karen!
I’m glad you were able to find the Sizzle Burgers and we were able to bring back fond memories. Worcestershire sauce is a secret ingredient in so many things. Hope you’ll relive your memories of the burgers. Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie Spivey
TMK
Paula says
I don’t remember the butter being part of the sizzle burger commercial. But it sure sounds good.
My family acts like I have presented them a meal from a master gourmet when we have our version of the Sizzle Burger.
I lightly salt the bottom of the pan,(because Mama said) I let the pan get hot then add the burgers and lots of thick slices of onions. Yes lots. By now the burgers are starting to sear so I add the Worcestershire (probably more than most people would). Flip them and more Worcestershire. Now is when I start adding more burgers as everyone expects leftovers. Again more sauce when put in and when flipped. The onions should be pretty close to ready now. We enjoy a good burger cooked on the grill but actually prefer these.
I’m adding the butter next time!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Paula, it sounds like you have this recipe down to a science! I appreciate you taking time to comment. Definitely add butter next time. It’s kinda like bacon, it makes everything good! ha! 🙂
janaiguana says
Yea!!! I’ve been looking for my sizzle burger instructions! Thank you for posting. I stuff mine with a pat of butter and some minced onion, too. Can’t wait to eat!!
The Mountain Kitchen says
I’m so glad I was able to help you find this recipe. The minced onion sounds like a great addition. Enjoy!
K.J. says
I used to beg for these as a kid. I made them tonight. They were as wonderful as I remembered.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi K.J.! I’m so glad this recipe took you on a trip down memory lane. Thanks for your comment and star rating!
Kathy says
Making memories today! Sizzle Burgers are a preferred
Food in this home. Always use the butter as part of this dish.
Always fry onion too.
This was and is served without a bun or bread of any kind. We either have Burgers (with a bun) or a Sizzle Burger (no bun).
Pamela says
I searched for “sizzle burger” to verify my memory and you were right on. But…I used salted butter. 🙂
They were INHALED by the crew. Thanks for the memories and the blog!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Awesome!! I’m so glad you could be reminded of this classic recipe, Pamela. Thanks for the great review!
Connie Manshardt says
I have great memories of cooking hamburger patties in Worchestershire sauce. and some butter In the early years of our marriage and that has been 45 years. Upon seeing this recipe I’m going to be fixing it tonight, I will be adding some pepper to it though. Thank you
The Mountain Kitchen says
Sounds great, Connie. I hope you enjoyed the burgers and the memories!
Rachel F says
My 60 year old father came up to me last night and said “can you make sizzle burgers for dinner” I said “sure!” Without knowing what it was, I googled it and your page came up. He said that my grandmother made them on special occasions when he was a child… He was amazed that I made exactly what he wanted 🙂 thank you for this recipe from your blue ridge mountain neighbor
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Rachel. I’m so happy to hear your father was happy with the burger. I love it when food and memories come together!
Kirk Th. Sanderbeck says
thooooose are soooooooo goooood, I got bared from making them , maybe I can get reinstated
Lori B says
I loved these as a kid, but my mom wouldn’t make them very often because they were such a mess to clean up in the cast iron skillet! Thank goodness for non stick, right?!
beth says
Very similar to a recipe I’ve used for years… I simply sprinkle salt in bottom of frypan, add formed burger and top with desired amount of Worcestershire sauce. Flip and add more Worcester and cook till done.
I tried your version this morning and decided I like cooking in butter better! Thanks for showing me an improved version! Will use this from now on…. hard to beat this made at home burger!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Great, Beth! Thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy your sizzle burgers!
LT says
A decade late in commenting, but there’s NOTHING like a sizzle burger! We are low-carb so don’t use buns, but we do melt cheese on them. We serve them over big slabs of fresh summer tomatoes with Caesar salad. My husband’s favorite!