Garlic Butter Cheeseburger

Make this famous Steak and Shake garlic double steakburger in your own kitchen with juicy beef patties and toasty buns slathered in savory garlic butter. The smashed, thin patties get wonderfully crispy edges while staying moist inside, creating an amazing contrast with the buttery, crunchy buns. This quick, one-pan creation turns everyday ingredients into something you'll crave again and again.

I tried making this burger after visiting Steak and Shake and wondering if I could match their taste at home. My first shot was decent but something wasn't quite right—then I figured out their trick wasn't just in the meat but how they use garlic butter throughout cooking. Once I started brushing both the buns and patties with that fragrant garlic butter, everything changed. My burger-obsessed teenage son actually said they were 'better than the restaurant version,' which might be the nicest thing he's ever said about my cooking.

Essential Ingredients

• Ground Chuck: Gives you the perfect mix of taste and juiciness. With 80/20 fat content, your patties stay moist while getting that delicious brown crust.
• Garlic Butter: Creates that distinctive flavor you can't forget. Fresh garlic chunks melted in butter works way better than using powder.
• American Cheese: Melts beautifully for that authentic burger experience. Its subtle flavor works with the beef and garlic without taking over.
• Hamburger Buns: Serve as the perfect wrapper for your masterpiece. Pick soft but sturdy ones that soak up garlic butter without falling apart.
• Burger Seasoning: Boosts the natural meat flavor without going overboard. Mix salt, pepper, onion salt and garlic salt for depth beyond basic seasoning.
• Patty Size: Smaller, flatter patties taste better than one thick one. Two thin ones give you more crispy surface area while keeping everything juicy.

Cooking Mastery

Getting Ready:

Let your ground beef sit out about 15 minutes so it cooks evenly. Split the meat into 8 equal balls without squeezing too much. Don't overhandle or you'll end up with tough patties—just a gentle touch works best.

Butter Transformation:

Slowly melt butter in a small pot, then drop in minced garlic and warm it gently for 3-5 minutes until it smells amazing but doesn't brown. This lets all that garlic goodness seep into every drop of butter without getting bitter.

Bun Prep:

Paint your hamburger buns generously with garlic butter, covering all the cut surfaces. Toast them in a pan over medium heat until they're golden with crispy edges but still soft inside. This gives you that perfect crunch against juicy meat while adding garlic flavor.

Cooking Technique:

Heat a heavy pan or griddle to medium-high until it's really hot. Place your seasoned meat balls on the surface and immediately flatten them thin with a spatula. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until they're deep brown on bottom, then flip them confidently. Add cheese right after flipping so it gets really melty while the second side cooks another 1-2 minutes.

Smart Assembly:

Put two cheesy patties together while they're still hot so they stick slightly before putting them on the buns. This stacking trick ensures perfect cheese melt throughout your burger while creating that signature double-layer look.

Final Building:

Put your stacked patties on the bottom bun and add whatever toppings you want. For the real Steak and Shake experience, keep it simple—maybe just lettuce, tomato, and thin onion slices—so the garlic butter and beef flavors can shine.

Important Tips:

Always smash patties on a super hot surface for best browning

Toast the buns right before eating for the best texture

Let your finished burger sit for a minute or two so flavors can mix properly

Save

My grandpa always said great burgers need good technique more than fancy stuff. When I first tried making these, I went overboard with complicated seasonings and too many 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 quality basics. The difference was night and day—proving once again that keeping it simple often gets you the most authentic taste.

What To Serve With It

This classic burger goes great with sides that match its rich, savory taste. Try serving it with skinny french fries for that real diner feel, or kick things up by tossing hand-cut fries in some of that same garlic butter with parsley. A small side salad with tangy dressing cuts through the richness nicely. For the complete Steak and Shake experience, don't forget to make a thick milkshake in vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.

Fun Twists

Play with this flexible recipe by trying different flavor combinations while keeping the main cooking method. Make a Southwest version with pepper jack cheese, sliced avocado, and chopped chipotle peppers. If you love mushrooms, cook some sliced cremini or button mushrooms in the garlic butter before adding them to your burger. Herb fans can mix in fresh thyme, rosemary, or tarragon for extra aroma. For a lighter option, swap half the cream cheese with more veggies like cooked spinach or grilled zucchini.

Keeping It Fresh

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

This homemade Steak and Shake garlic double steakburger shows how smart ingredient combos and good technique can make amazing food without complicated steps or fancy equipment. The mix of savory garlic with juicy beef plus the easy one-pan approach makes this recipe not just delicious but totally doable—showing that impressive meals don't need lots of prep or cleanup. Whether you're making it for family dinner or serving friends, this burger delivers the kind of satisfying meal that creates both happy memories and requests for your recipe.

Save