Use ground beef with about 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
Divide the beef into equal portions
Gently shape each portion into a ball
Flatten each ball into a patty about 3/4 inch thick
Make the patty slightly wider than the bun
Press a small dimple in the center of each patty
Season both sides with salt and pepper
Chill the patties before cooking if needed
Cook on a hot skillet, grill, or pan
Flip once during cooking
Cook until the desired doneness is reached
Let the patties rest briefly before serving