The Best Burgers!

August 31, 2021

Summer is almost over but I’m not ready to put away the grill. I’ve loved the longer days, sunshine and relaxed atmosphere, plus really valued getting together with friends and family after the long lock down. It’s been a relaxing summer for us. We’ve enjoyed grilling out and have made some tasty and easy meals.

I used to stress about what to serve when entertaining, but have found that a well prepared burger is always a hit. These aren’t your prepackaged skinny burgers…oh no. I prepare my burgers by hand. I make sure we have plenty of toppings like good cheddar or bacon, plus tangy mustard, pickles and more. A good bun makes a big difference too! Just ask my brother and nephew, who were treated to such a meal. Like many of us, they don’t eat meat often. They felt like they had a special meal and exclaimed how much they enjoyed this treat. Hello! It was a simple burger! But it was just right…and so easy!

 10 Tips to Grill Up Your Most Flavorful Burger:

1. High fat content makes a more flavorful burger

Yum, a nice and juicy burger is the goal. Ground beef higher in fat content will give you that juiciness. Go with ground beef that’s labeled around 20% fat (which means 80% lean) or more. If you use really lean ground beef, the burger may be drier. Note that if you like a burger on the rare side, then beef lower in fat will still hold its flavor.  The longer you cook it, the drier it becomes.

2. Keep your lower-fat burger moist.

Ground turkey or lower-fat beef (fat content of 15% or less) doesn’t have the flavor-enhancing fat, so they can be quick to dry out when cooking. Add a flavoring liquid — like soy sauce, sriracha, or Worcestershire sauce, or water-packed veggies, like shredded zucchini, diced mushrooms or onions,  to keep your burgers moist and juicy. You can even mix in shredded cheese for an even juicier cheeseburger!

3. Handle with care.

The amount the meat is handled has a direct impact on the texture of the burger. When forming the patties, handle the meat as little as possible or it can become dry and tough. Wet your hands before you make each patty.  This makes handling each one easier and adds a little moisture.

5. Season at the right time.

Season twice. When you first make the patties, add seasoning and fold into the meat. Skip the salt in that first seasoning mix. Salt can enhance the flavor but if added too early the result could be a denser, tougher patty. Just before cooking, season again. The flavor will be evident in every bite.

4. Give your patty a dimple.

When forming hamburger patties, press gently down in middle of the patty to form an indentation. This keeps the center from bulging up as it cooks, so the patty stays flat, even, and round. The juices will stay intact instead of running out of the burger.

6. Keep ‘em cold.

Return your patties to the fridge until you are ready to cook. This insures the fat in the meat is nice and firm.  If they are room temperature then the fat melts away too fast to do its job.

7. Patience is key.

Flip once and only once. Yes, this takes patience! Don’t mess with your burgers or you will halt the searing process. In order to have the maximum amount of flavor, you want your burger to caramelize on the outside, which will only happen if it is left in direct contact with the heat source. Flipping too often will result in losing the juices.

8. Cheese please.

Add your cheese as soon as you flip the burger over. You don’t want to add the cheese once you think the burger is done. The time it takes for the cheese to melt will result in your burger being overcooked.

9. More patience needed.

Just like steak, letting your burger rest for a few minutes will ensure the juices settle in and don’t run out prematurely leaving you with a dry burger. This is a good time to “dress” your burger with all the fixin’s.

10. Juicy burgers are good, soggy buns not so much.

Choose a nice fresh bun and spread it with your condiments with oils in them, such as avocado, hummus or mayo. Then add the next layer of lettuce before you top it with the burger. This will provide a barrier to the roll so it doesn’t get soggy. Add your other wet topping such as ketchup, tomato, and pickles, etc .

 

 Ready to try a different type of burger?

Search for more burger recipes in your DinnerTime Recipe Box.  Just type in “burger” in the search bar to see all sorts of different burger recipes. Bought extra ingredients at the market or cut from your own garden?  Add to your DinnerTime Pantry Manager and indicate to “use soon” for recipe recommendations in your next meal plan.  Your grocery list will show you already have this item in your pantry.