How to cook a hamburger patty: a step by step recipe with a photo

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

There are many theories and guidelines on how to make the best hamburger. Most often this concerns the preparation of cutlets. You don't need special equipment to make juicy and flavorful hamburger patties. Plus, you don't need top-notch beef or a high-tech grill. But you will need plenty of oil and a good frying pan or oven.

The whole point of the classic recipe is this: you have to season the minced meat with s alt and pepper, form it into an even round cake and cover it with melted butter, and then fry on the grill or in the oven for 10 minutes. Butter not only adds extra flavor, but also prevents the meat from drying out and makes the bun juicy afterwards.

This is far from the only option for making hamburgers, and feel free to experiment. However, there are a few rules that you need to remember in order not to make common culinary mistakes. Below are the basic requirements to follow when making a hamburger patty.

Don't buy cheap, frozen or lean beef

If you want to make delicious burgers, don't skimp on toppings. Purchase young, preferably fresh, beef with at least 20 percent fat. You don't have to buy gourmet steak meat, but a good tenderloin is essential. The general culinary rule says that for one cutlet you will need from 180 to 250 grams of minced meat.

Don't add a lot of spices to minced meat

Remember that hamburger patties are perfect on their own. Adding onions, herbs, or sauces to the meat only detracts from the meaty flavor. Also, adding a lot of ingredients means diluting the meat. When heated, the fat reacts with other components and forms an emulsion. Because of this, you can get a “rubber” cutlet, especially with onions and herbs. And if you add olive oil to minced meat, you get a product with a grainy texture.

Instead of experimenting with adding more foods, just stir the minced meat lightly, put a pinch of s alt in it, and a little pepper and garlic at the most.

Don't forget to make a dent in the middle

It is generally believed that a hamburger patty should be molded into a perfectly flat shape. However, this does not take into account the change in the volume of meat during heating. The correct way to do this is to make a round flat cake, and then make a depression in the center with your fingers. This will create a perfectly shaped patty that won't slip in the bun.

Notavoid high temperatures

Hamburger patties are best cooked at a high temperature. Of course, if they start to burn, reduce the heat. But if not, don't fry them on low for too long. Otherwise, the result will not be very tasty.

Don't turn the patty too often

Some people like to hear the hiss when turning the patty on the grill, but it pushes all the juices out of the meat. At the end you will get a very dry and tough dish. If you want soft and juicy cutlets, do not touch them during frying.

Don't cut the patties to check doneness

Slitting patties to check they're done is the best way to ruin a dish. All juices run out instantly. It's even worse than constantly flipping. You will get very dry meatballs. To test the readiness of the meat without spoiling its taste, follow the following guide: you need to feel a slight springiness when touched with a spatula.

You should let the patties stand for a while

It's hard to stop yourself from instantly eating a perfectly cooked cutlet, but this is not the best idea. You will get dry meat and a raw bun. If you bite into a freshly fried cutlet, all the juices will immediately flow out of it. Leave the blanks to settle for a while.

How to make a hamburger patty?

When cooking cutlets, be careful not to knead the minced meat too much. Otherwise, you may end up with hard products. ForFor a basic hamburger patty recipe you will need:

• 450 grams ground beef;
• sea s alt and ground black pepper.

Remove the minced meat from the refrigerator and leave at room temperature for about 5 minutes before shaping. Divide it then into three parts and make round flat cakes. Use your thumb to make a dimple in the middle of each. This prevents the middle of the patties from rising during cooking.

Season both sides with s alt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Grill the patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on how deep you like it. Then put them on a dish, wrap with aluminum foil and leave for 5 minutes. After that, you can serve them on a bun with lettuce, tomato and onion (or whatever you like).

Don't be afraid to experiment. Cheese will be a good addition to your burger, as will bacon. But these are only the most common products that can be used to prepare a delicious dish. Peanut butter is a good and original choice. Red onion rings are always a good idea.

Another interesting way

There are many recipes for homemade burgers with a cutlet. Above was a variant with frying meat in a pan, but grilling is considered a classic. Obviously, not everyone has this opportunity. But you can showingenuity and replace your outdoor grill with a matching rack for your home oven.

Below is a recipe for homemade hamburgers with cheese. For it you will need:

• 450 grams of fresh ground beef;
• sea s alt and ground black pepper;
• sliced cheese, optional;
• toasted hamburger buns.

How to do it?

How to make hamburger patties in the oven? Form minced meat into products, gently crushing the meat with your fingers, but not compacting. Place it on a flat, clean surface and gently press down the middle of each flatbread with your fingertips.

Check the size of your patty by comparing it to the bun (remember to wash your hands before touching the bun and don't let it come into direct contact with the raw meat). A homemade hamburger patty should be about 1 cm wider than the bun on all sides.

Sprinkle both sides generously with s alt and pepper. Place them on a grill grate brushed with butter (melted) or olive oil. Place in preheated oven and bake until desired doneness.

Heat a skillet with 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil to high heat. Put the cutlets on it and pour another spoonful of oil on top of them. Fry them for 45 seconds to 1 minute, until crispy.

Turn the patties over in a quick motion and place a piece of cheese on the top surfaceeach of them. Cook until cheese is melted, 45 seconds to 1 minute.

Place the cheese patties on the prepared buns, top with other toppings as desired and serve immediately.

As noted above, you can use any filling. Dijon mustard and pickled onions work well for cheese burgers. Any fresh vegetables are also good - cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet peppers. If you like spicy, you can add crushed jalapeno peppers.