Grilled Tominator-Style Beef Burger with Pickle Crunch

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-30 · Updated 2026-05-30

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A juicy grilled beef burger inspired by the Tominator sandwich, featuring heavy pickles and a perfectly seared patty without mayo or onions. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs ground beef, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 1 American cuisine 650 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

8 oz ground beef
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 hamburger bun
6 dill pickle slices
1 slice sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp unsalted butter

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this meat with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Form the 8 oz ground beef into a 4-inch diameter patty, seasoning both sides with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2: Butter the hamburger bun lightly with 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Place the bun butter-side down on the grill and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crispy, then remove and set aside.
Step 3: Place the beef patty on the grill and cook for 4 minutes without moving to develop a crust. Flip the patty and add 1 slice sharp cheddar cheese on top; cook for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Step 4: Spread 1 tsp yellow mustard on the bottom half of the toasted bun. Layer the cooked patty with melted cheddar on top, then pile 6 dill pickle slices over the cheese for a crunchy, tangy bite.
Step 5: Close the burger with the top bun and serve immediately, enjoying the juicy, pickle-packed flavors reminiscent of the Tominator sandwich.