(BPT) - It's time for you to become the best behind the grill. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or just getting into backyard grilling, one dish that you should perfect is the classic cheeseburger. This quintessential grilling staple can go from good to great with just a few changes.
To help you craft the best cheeseburger for your summer cookouts, Chef Aldo Lanzillotta — co-host of the Cooking Channel's Compete to Eat, guest chef on Bravo's Best New Restaurant and cofounder of Juicy Lucy, Inc. — serves up his top five tips for grilling the best cheeseburger.
According to Lanzillotta, one crucial detail many people overlook when making burgers at home is the quality of the meat. When choosing burger patties or making your own, opt for an 80/20 lean-to-fat blend. The fat gives the burger patty a rich, juicy flavor with lots of depth. Lanzillotta likes to use a mix of chuck, rib and brisket meat.
Spice it up! Consider adding smoked sea salt and dried porcini mushrooms into the meat mix or sprinkling the patties just before grilling to impart a smoky, umami flavor to the cheeseburger.
2. Add cheese to the middle
You can't have a cheeseburger without cheese. Take your cheeseburger to the next level by adding cheese to the middle of the patty to create the Minnesota classic, the Juicy Lucy.
If you're hesitant to stuff your own Juicy Lucy patties, don't worry. Lanzillotta wanted to share this Midwestern delicacy with people across the country and created Juicy Lucy patties that you can grill, cook or air fry straight from frozen in your own backyard. Once you take it off the grill, you'll have a burger that delivers delicious, perfectly melted cheese in every bite.
Available in cheese-stuffed and jalapeno-stuffed varieties, you can find a pack in the frozen aisles of select retailers. In 2025, Juicy Lucy began introducing the frozen cheese-stuffed hamburger patties at select Target stores in the Upper Midwest. But now, shoppers can find Juicy Lucy varieties at select Target stores in additional markets, including California, Arizona and soon Utah, and Harris Teeter stores across North Carolina and South Carolina. To find a store near you, visit JuicyLucyBurgers.com.
A charcoal or gas grill is the classic option for cooking a cheeseburger, but don't underestimate the power of a cast-iron skillet. The skillet is Lanzillotta's go-to for cooking burgers because it mimics the finish and flavor you'd expect from a restaurant burger cooked on a flattop.
Using a skillet means you can cook up a mouthwatering burger indoors on your stovetop, but don't forget you can also cook with your skillet on the grill.
4. Toast whole burger buns
Complement your burger patties with warm toasted buns. According to Lanzillotta, toasting uncut buns on the side of the grill over low heat can make a store-bought bun taste freshly baked. Once you cut it open, feel the steam escape and butter the top and bottom of the bun.
5. Create a custom burger with plenty of toppings
Once your burger is cooked, it's time to add toppings and customize it to your liking. In addition to classic toppings like fried or raw onions, condiments, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, consider experimenting with new ingredients. For example, to complement his Juicy Lucy, Lanzillotta recommends adding pickled jalapeño relish, charred cumin tomatoes, candied prosciutto and smashed avocado.
Add a punch of flavor: While cooking your burger, place sliced onions next to the patties on the grill or in the skillet. Doing so will give the patty a punch of flavor.
Are you ready to grill the perfect burger for any occassion? Using these five tips, you'll create delicious burgers that will have your friends and family asking for seconds.
