Rachael Ray’s Clever Hack Produces Juicy Burgers Every Time

How many times have you cooked a hamburger only to find that it’s tough and chewy, undercooked, or too charred? While there are many ways to cook a burger, including on an outdoor grill, in the oven, under the broiler, or in an air fryer, there’s a better method to achieve that perfectly cooked patty, according to Rachael Ray.

To get the juiciest burgers, she recommends cooking them on a cast iron surface. We recommend the Lodge cast iron skillet — the brand is our benchmark for anything cast iron. Snag it for $30 at Amazon to start making the best burgers, along with many other cast iron skillet recipes. You’ll quickly see why it’s our overall favorite cast iron pan. 

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet with Handle Holder

The Lodge 10.25-inch skillet aced every test we threw at it, evenly browning and searing steaks and burgers, and cooking eggs without any sticking. Its heat distribution and searing capabilities are impressive. And, if you love cornbread, this is the pan to cook it in to achieve a perfectly golden brown crust. “It’s the pan I always reach for at work and the only cast iron skillet I have in my home kitchen,” said Food & Wine editor Nick DeSimone.

But, we digress. When it comes to burgers, Ray says, you want a cast iron surface that lets the meat cook in its own fat, giving flavorful and juicy results. Cast iron is “the best way to get even caramelization or development of the sugar in the protein that you’re cooking is on a flat plane,” she said in an Instagram video. And if you prefer to cook your burgers on the grill, you don’t have to fully give it up to try Ray’s hack: “Even when I cook outside, I have cast iron tops for my outdoor grill,” she added.

We think Lodge’s cast iron skillet is a good fit for burgers for several reasons, including its helper handle that makes the pan easy to maneuver and carry, whether you’re using the stove or a grill. Two pour spouts help you effortlessly drain off any liquids or fats, and the included red silicone handle holder protects your hand from the heat. As for maintaining this cast iron skillet after using it, we simply used warm water to remove any debris. 

We’re not the only ones who love this skillet; it’s been bought by over 1,000 shoppers in the past month and has more than 10,700 five-star ratings. “This is now my go-to skillet,” said one reviewer who ditched all their nonstick pans after buying this one. “This skillet holds heat beautifully, delivering an even sear and perfect crusts on everything from steaks to veggies,” wrote another satisfied customer. Whether making pancakes or steaks, everything turns out “amazing,” added a third owner.     

If you want to try Ray’s hack for cooking juicy burgers to perfection, we recommend grabbing the Lodge 10.25-inch cast iron skillet to get the results you want. Get it for $30 with the helper handle, or snag it by itself for $25 at Amazon. Hey, is anyone else craving a cheeseburger? 

Shop More Cast Iron Skillets at Amazon

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Cuisinel 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet with Lid and Handle Holder

Mercer Culinary 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Backcountry 12-Inch Iron Cast Iron Skillet

Victoria 20-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

At the time of publishing, the price was $30.