Before cheeseburgers became one of Elvis Presley’s familiar favorites, they represented a treat his family could not always afford. In later years, Elvis enjoyed them at Memphis diners and at Graceland, where his longtime cook Mary Jenkins Langston remembered making cheeseburgers for him. Accounts of his visits to the Arcade and Gridiron restaurants describe a preference for well-done burgers.

This recipe recreates a straightforward Memphis diner-style cheeseburger with mustard, pickles, and onions. It is an editorial interpretation of a documented favorite, not an authenticated restaurant or Graceland formula.

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Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 to 16 minutes
Total Time: 27 to 31 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Beginner (1 of 5)
Cost: Economical ($$ of $$$$$)
Region/Ethnic Origin: Memphis, Tennessee; American diner cuisine

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably 80 percent lean
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices American cheese
• 4 soft hamburger buns, split
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 4 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 12 dill pickle chips
• 1/2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Divide the beef into four equal portions and gently form into patties slightly wider than the buns. Press a shallow indentation into the center of each patty to help it cook evenly.
2. Season both sides of the patties with the salt and pepper immediately before cooking.
3. Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side, adjusting the heat to avoid scorching, until well browned and the centers reach 160°F on a food thermometer.
4. Place a slice of cheese on each patty during the final minute of cooking. Cover the skillet briefly, if necessary, to melt the cheese.
5. Spread the cut sides of the buns with butter and toast in a separate skillet until lightly golden.
6. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard on each bottom bun. Add a cheeseburger, 3 pickle chips, and a portion of sliced onion. Cover with the top buns and serve immediately.

Kitchen Notes

A diner-style burger should be juicy even when cooked thoroughly. Handle the meat lightly and avoid pressing the patties with a spatula while cooking. The mustard, pickle, and onion combination reflects descriptions of burgers Elvis ordered at Memphis restaurants; the precise quantities are our home-kitchen choices.

A Little Memphis History

The Easter egg is the idea of a cheeseburger as a luxury. In the documentary The Burger and the King, people close to Elvis explained that a food he could not readily afford in childhood remained especially appealing after fame made nearly anything available to him. The modest diner sandwich became one of his enduring comforts.

Historical Recipe Disclaimer: This collection celebrates foods documented as favorites of Elvis Presley through historical accounts, interviews, family recollections, and published materials. Unless specifically identified as an authenticated historical recipe, the preparations presented here are carefully researched interpretations rather than exact reproductions of dishes served at Graceland. Carter Family Recipes is an independent culinary publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Graceland, or the Presley estate.