Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently form into loose balls. Place them on a plate or tray and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
to taste salt, to taste black pepper
Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once shimmering, place the beef balls onto the hot skillet. Use a spatula to firmly smash each ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Cook until the edges are deeply browned, approximately 2-3 minutes.
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Flip the patties carefully using a spatula and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the other side is also golden brown and the beef is cooked through.
Place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover the skillet briefly to help melt the cheese, approximately 30 seconds. You should see the cheese shiny and slightly melted.
4 slices cheddar cheese
While the patties finish melting, split the buns and toast them face down in the skillet or in a toaster until lightly golden and slightly crispy. Observe the edges turning brown and hear a gentle sizzle.
4 buns burger buns
Assemble the burgers by placing each cheesy patty onto the toasted bottom buns, then top with the remaining bun. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings or condiments.
