Prepare the Meat Blend: Gently combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Do not overmix; handle the meat as little as possible to keep it tender.
Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Form loose patties about 1 inch thick and slightly wider than your buns, as they will shrink during cooking. Create a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent bulging.
Preheat the Grill: Set your grill up for two-zone cooking (one side hot, one side medium/low). For gas, preheat the direct heat side to high (around 500°F). For charcoal, push hot coals to one side. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
Seasoning: Just before placing the burgers on the grill, season the outside surfaces generously with extra salt and pepper.
Grill the First Side: Place the patties over the direct, high heat. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes without moving them to develop a good sear.
Flip and Finish: Flip the burgers only once. If using cheese, place it on top immediately after flipping. Move the burgers to the indirect heat zone to finish cooking to your desired internal temperature (130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium). This prevents burning the outside before the inside is done.
Rest the Burgers: Remove the burgers from the grill when they reach 5 degrees below your target temperature. Let them rest on a clean plate for 5 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute.
Toast Buns: While the burgers rest, lightly butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them briefly on the grill over medium heat until golden brown.
Assemble: Place the rested patty on the bottom bun, add your desired toppings, and top with the remaining bun half. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use ground beef with at least 20% fat content; fat equals moisture and flavor on the grill.
Do not press down on the burgers with a spatula while they cook; this squeezes out the internal juices.
For an extra crust, consider using a cast iron griddle placed over the direct heat zone for the initial sear.