Joanna James
While there's nothing wrong with store-bought burgers and fast food burgers, there's something delightful about being able to replicate the taste of these two options at home. Here are 6 tips to help home cooks prepare the perfect burger every time.
Although Smashburger and nearly every other fast food restaurant offers a variety of burger options, few diners are aware of the flavour signatures of these succulent menu items. If one wishes to prepare Italian-style burgers, it's crucial to add grated parmesan cheese, minced beef and crushed garlic as these are classic Italian ingredients. Similarly, Hawaiian burgers incorporate pineapple slices grilled to perfection while Spanish burgers must have plenty of smoked paprika and chorizo. Those who prefer Moroccan burgers, however, must incorporate cumin, coriander and harissa paste into the patty.
Before Googling "burger restaurant near me" after a disastrous attempt at making homemade cheeseburgers, it's important to understand the fundamentals of grilling patties like a pro. It's necessary to chill or freeze the burger pattie before cooking or grilling the meat as this helps the pattie maintain its round shape. It's best to lay out the patties on a baking tray and pop them inside the fridge for at least an hour before cooking.
When working with ground or minced meat, it's important to squeeze the liquid out and season with some salt and pepper while it's being shaped. It's crucial not to go overboard during the seasoning process as it is tempting to throw a wide variety of spices into the mixture. Less is more and when flattening out the patties, make sure there are no bits of fat or other additives sticking out or causing the pattie to lose its shape.
Unless one is using freshly baked burger buns, it's crucial to toast the buns before assembling the burger. Cut the burgers in half and toast each side for several minutes without charring the buns and apply a coating of salted butter for taste. This will give soft burgers a crisp texture and also prevent the moisture from the pattie from soaking through the bun when exposed to high temperatures on the grill.
Tomato ketchup and mustard are classic but boring sauces and toppings to add to homemade burgers when one can use pickles, guacamole and even onion rings. Those who love cheese can grate some cheddar onto the pattie while smoked Gouda and brie can also pair well with burgers. Burger relish, mayonnaise and BBQ sauce are just some of the sauces that one can use to flavour the burger although there are lime and honey mustard sauces that also go well with tangy burger fillings.
When using store-bought beef patties for burgers, it's important to use them straight out of the freezer without allowing the meat to thaw on the counter before grilling. This is so the structural integrity of the pattie will not be compromised when placed on the grill as meat that's thawed will have extra moisture.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
