I stood over my backyard grill as the charcoal glowed orange, spatula in hand, and the familiar scent of flame-kissed beef filled the air. My family had been begging for Burger King, but instead of loading everyone into the car for a drive-thru run, I decided to bring that iconic fast-food experience home. The simplicity of a classic Burger King cheeseburger has always appealed to me, no fancy toppings or special sauces, just the essentials done right.
As I flipped the thin patties on the hot grate, watching those perfect grill marks form, the nostalgic aroma transported me back to childhood road trips when those paper-wrapped burgers were the highlight of any journey. After toasting the sesame seed buns and assembling each burger with the classic toppings, that first bite confirmed what I already knew. The homemade version wasn’t just as good as the original, and it was better. The patties were juicier, the cheese meltier, and I could customize each one exactly how everyone liked it. Fast food convenience is nice, but nothing beats the satisfaction of recreating this classic at home.
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Table of Contents
What Makes the Burger King Cheeseburger So Delicious
This copycat Burger King Cheeseburger recipe succeeds because it faithfully reproduces the signature elements that make the original so beloved while improving the quality of ingredients. The key to authentic flavor is the flame-grilled cooking method, which imparts a distinctive smoky taste that Burger King is famous for. Using 80/20 ground chuck provides the perfect fat content for juicy burgers that won’t dry out during cooking. Forming thin patties slightly larger than the buns accounts for shrinkage during cooking, ensuring meat in every bite. Toasting the sesame seed buns creates a barrier that prevents sogginess while adding texture and flavor. The simple combination of American cheese, dill pickle slices, ketchup, and yellow mustard perfectly balances savory, tangy, sweet, and salty notes. With no unnecessary additions or complications, this recipe stays true to the straightforward appeal of the original while delivering fresher, higher-quality results that you can customize to your exact preferences.
Why You Want To Try This Copycat Recipe for the Burger King Cheeseburger
Simplicity be darned; BK cheeseburgers are still delicious. Perhaps the secret is that all Burger King burgers are flame-grilled.
So, to reproduce the taste of Burger King’s cheeseburger at home, you must use an authentic charcoal grill. In a pinch, a gas grill will work as well. If you don’t have a grill, a heavy-bottomed skillet will do.Â
Burger King Cheeseburger Ingredients
To make this cheeseburger, you’ll need:
- Ground chuck (80/20) – Provides the perfect fat-to-lean ratio for juicy burgers
- Salt – Enhances the natural beef flavor
- Black pepper – Adds subtle spice and depth
- American cheese slices – Create that classic melty texture
- Sesame hamburger buns – Delivers the authentic BK experience
- Unsalted butter – Creates perfectly toasted buns
- Vegetable oil – Prevents sticking during cooking
- Dill pickle slices – Adds tangy crunch and acidity
- Ketchup – Provides sweet tomato flavor
- Yellow mustard – Contributes sharp, tangy notes
How To Make BK’s Cheeseburgers at Home
To make the patties:
- Put the ground chuck in a mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Rub some vegetable oil on your hands to prevent the beef from sticking to them, and gently mix the seasoning with the meat.Â
- Divide the ground beef into eight equal balls.Â
- Use your hands to form thin patties that are slightly wider than the buns you will use.Â
To cook the patties:
- Heat your grill to medium-high.Â
- Brush the grate of the grill with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent the burgers from sticking.Â
- Sprinkle extra salt and pepper on top of the patties and cook for three minutes on the first side.
- Flip the burgers and cook for an additional two minutes
- Top each patty with a slice of American cheese and close the grill lid. Cook for another thirty seconds or until the cheese melts.Â
- Remove the burgers from the grill and let them rest on a wire rack over a paper towel.
You can also cook the patties in a skillet if you don’t have a grill:
To assemble the burger:
- Butter the inside of the buns and grill for 30 seconds until they are lightly toasted. You can also broil them if you don’t have a grill.
- Place the bottom buns in a row on your work surface.
- Put the patties on the bottom buns, add two slices of dill pickle, and a couple of squirts of ketchup and mustard.
- Cover with the top bun.Â
Recipe Variations
Change the toppings on your cheeseburger to suit your preferences. Here are a few suggestions:
- Add another patty or two if you are really hungry.
- Use slices of Cheddar cheese instead of American cheese.
- Serve with lettuce, tomato, and onion for a well-dressed deluxe burger.Â
- Everything is better with a slice or two of bacon.
What To Serve With a Cheeseburger
French fries and onion rings are natural side dishes, but why not try Loaded Tater Tots or a light Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad?
How To Store Leftovers
This recipe makes eight burgers, so unless you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll have a few leftover patties.
It is easy to save uncooked beef patties:
- Place a piece of square wax paper on top of each burger and stack them.
- Wrap the stack of patties in plastic and keep it in the fridge for up to three days.
- To store uncooked burger patties for more than a few days, wrap them as above and then add a protective layer of aluminum foil. Put the patties in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Do not refreeze previously frozen meat.Â
You can also save cooked burger patties:
- Wrap each cooked patty individually in plastic and put it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.Â
- It is best not to freeze cooked burgers because they won’t maintain their taste and texture.Â
What’s the Best Way to Reheat a Cheeseburger?
Follow the recipe above to grill uncooked patties. Let the patties sit on the counter for about 15 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
The best way to reheat a burger is in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.Â
- Place one patty on a piece of aluminum foil.
- Sprinkle a little water on top of the patty and loosely wrap it in aluminum foil.Â
- Reheat directly on the wire rack in the oven until hot, about 10 minutes. Flip the packet over halfway through the cooking time.Â
Don’t Forget to Celebrate Burger King National Cheeseburger Day
Do you fancy a free cheeseburger? On September 18th, also known as National Cheeseburger Day, Royal Perks members can receive a free cheeseburger when they spend at least a one-dollar purchase at Burger King. What a great way to get free burgers!
Homemade Burger King Cheeseburger: Classic Flame-Grilled Taste
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 8 slices American cheese
- 16 dill pickle slices
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 4 tablespoons mustard
Instructions
- Season the ground chuck with salt and pepper and form it into 8 patties.
- Butter the hamburger buns and toast them in a skillet until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Heat a grill to medium-high. Cook the burger patties for two to three minutes on each side. While cooking, add a dash of salt to the burger.
- Build the burger by placing the meat on the bottom bun. Then add a slice of American cheese and 2 dill pickle slices. Squirt a small amount of ketchup and mustard onto the cheese, and cover with the top bun.
Nutrition
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Check out more of my tasty burger recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!
How do I make a burger king cheeseburger without cheese? This question are for those who just don’t like the taste of cheeseburgers.
Believe it or not, when I worked at Dairy Queen, people ordered these all of the time. To make a cheeseburger without the cheese, you omit the cheese.