Garlic Butter Cheeseburger

The homemade version of Steak and Shake's garlic double steakburger brings the famous restaurant taste right to your kitchen. These juicy beef patties get an amazing boost from garlic-infused butter that makes the buns taste incredible too. When you smash the thin patties down, they get that awesome crispy edge while staying tender inside - a perfect match for those warm, buttery buns. It's amazing how this simple one-pan creation turns basic ingredients into something you'll crave again and again.

After an unforgettable trip to Steak and Shake, I got home wondering if I could make something similar myself. My first shot was decent but something wasn't quite right—then I figured out their trick wasn't just about the meat but how they use garlic butter throughout. When I started brushing both the buns and patties with that aromatic garlic butter, everything changed completely. My burger-obsessed teenager (who thinks he's an expert) actually told me they were "better than the ones at the restaurant"—probably the biggest cooking compliment he's ever given me.

Essential Ingredients

• Ground Chuck: Gives you the right mix of taste and juiciness. The 80/20 meat-to-fat balance keeps everything moist while getting that beautiful brown crust.
• Garlic Butter: Delivers the distinctive flavor that makes these burgers special. Fresh chopped garlic melted in butter works much better than just using powder.
• American Cheese: Offers that signature melt that's key to an authentic burger experience. Its subtle flavor works with the seasoned beef without taking over.
• Hamburger Buns: Serve as the perfect wrapper for all the goodness. Go for soft buns that can still hold up when soaked with garlic butter.
• Burger Seasoning: Brings out the meat's natural goodness without going overboard. Mix salt, pepper, onion salt and garlic salt for more depth than just plain salt.
• Patty Size: Thinner double patties create more flavor than one thick patty. Two slim patties give you extra crispy surfaces while keeping everything juicy.

Cooking Smarts

Starting Right:

Let your ground beef sit out for about 15 minutes to take the chill off, which helps it cook more evenly. Split the meat into 8 equal balls without working it too much. If you handle the meat too much, it'll get tough, so keep your touch light throughout.

Butter Transformation:

Slowly melt butter in a small pot, then toss in the minced garlic and warm it gently for 3-5 minutes until it smells amazing but doesn't brown. This slow process lets the garlic really get into the butter without getting that burnt bitter taste.

Bun Treatment:

Paint your hamburger buns generously with garlic butter, making sure to cover all the cut surfaces. Toast them in a pan over medium heat until they're golden with slightly crispy edges but still soft inside. This creates a nice texture contrast with the juicy meat while adding that garlicky goodness.

Cooking the Meat:

Heat a heavy pan or griddle to medium-high until it's really hot. Drop your seasoned beef balls onto the hot surface and immediately flatten them thin with a spatula. Let them cook untouched for 2 minutes until a dark crust forms, then flip them over quickly. Add cheese right after flipping so it gets good and melty while the second side cooks for another 1-2 minutes.

Putting It Together:

Stack two cheese-topped patties while they're still hot, letting them stick slightly before moving them to the toasted buns. This stacking trick ensures the cheese melts perfectly throughout while creating that classic double-patty look.

Final Assembly:

Put your stacked patties on the bottom bun and add whatever toppings you like. For a true Steak and Shake style, keep toppings minimal—maybe just lettuce, tomato, and thin onion slices—so the garlic butter and beef flavors can shine through.

Good to Know:

Pressing patties works best when your cooking surface is super hot

Toast the buns right before you're ready to eat for the best texture

Let your finished burger sit for a minute or two so the flavors can blend together

Pin it

My grandpa always said great burgers don't need fancy stuff—it's all about how you cook them. When I first tried making these, I went overboard with complicated seasonings and tons of toppings that drowned out the main flavors. Following his advice to 'let the beef and butter do the talking,' I simplified everything and focused on cooking it right with just the basics. The difference was incredible—showing me yet again that sometimes keeping things simple gives you the most authentic results.

Perfect Pairings

These amazing burgers go great with sides that match their rich, savory taste. Serve with skinny french fries for that classic diner feel, or step it up with homemade fries tossed in garlic butter and parsley to keep the garlic theme going. A light side salad with a tangy dressing offers a nice fresh contrast to the richness. For the full Steak and Shake experience, don't forget to include a thick milkshake in vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.

Mix It Up

Play around with this flexible recipe by trying different flavors while keeping the basic method the same. Make a Southwest version by switching to pepper jack cheese and adding sliced avocado and chipotle peppers. If you love mushrooms, cook some sliced cremini or button mushrooms after making the garlic butter and add them to your burgers. Herb fans can mix in fresh thyme, rosemary, or tarragon for extra aroma. For a lighter take, replace half the cream cheese with extra veggies like cooked spinach or grilled zucchini.

Keeping Leftovers

Keep everything tasting fresh by storing it properly. Put uncooked patties between sheets of parchment paper and wrap tightly in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer containers for up to 3 months. When warming up leftovers, add a little water or broth to bring back moisture, and heat slowly over medium-low heat with a lid on. For single servings, warm in the microwave at half power in short bursts, stirring between each until hot. While you can freeze the cheese sauce for up to a month, it might separate a bit when thawed—just whisk it gently while reheating to fix it.

This homemade take on the Steak and Shake garlic double steakburger shows how good ingredients and proper cooking can create something amazing without complicated steps or fancy equipment. The mix of sweet and spicy flavors plus the easy one-pan approach makes this recipe not just tasty but also practical—proving you don't need complex methods or tons of cleanup to make impressive food. Whether you're cooking for family dinner or serving friends, this recipe creates the kind of wow-factor meal that people remember and ask you to make again.

Pin it