Basic Plain Perfect Burger Recipes

PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
• IF USING A GRILL: Heat a gas grill to high or heat coals in a charcoal grill until they glow bright orange and ash over. Brush the burgers with the oil. Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese; see step 3) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• IF USING A GRILL PAN: Heat a grill pan over high heat on top of the stove. Cook the burgers as for a grill, above.
• IF USING A SAUTE PAN OR GRIDDLE (PREFERABLY CAST IRON): Heat the oil in the pan or griddle over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• Add the cheese, if using, to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking and top with a basting cover, close the grill cover, or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese.
• Sandwich the hot burgers between the buns and serve immediately.

THE PERFECT BASIC BURGER

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, salt and pepper. Place ground beef and bread crumbs into the mixture. With hands or a fork, mix until well blended. Form into 4 patties approximately 3/4 inch thick.
• Place patties on the prepared grill. Cover and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

JUICIEST HAMBURGERS EVER

Steps:

• Preheat grill for high heat.
• In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, evaporated milk, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic using your hands. Form the mixture into 8 hamburger patties.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until well done.

THE PERFECT HAMBURGER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine egg and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into four 3/4-in.-thick patties. , Grill, covered, on a greased grill rack over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Serve on buns, with toppings as desired.

THE PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Evenly divide meat into 4 portions. With a light touch, gently form each one into a ball, then shape into a 3/4-inch-thick patty. With thumb, make a 1/4-inch-deep indentation in the center of each (this prevents burgers from getting rounded tops during grilling). Transfer to a plate; cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to cook, up to 1 day.
• Heat grill to high (it should be difficult to hold your hand above the grates). Moisten a folded paper towel with vegetable oil; grasp with tongs, and quickly wipe over the grates.
• Generously season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Place patties on grill; cover, and cook to desired doneness, 2 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Serve burgers on buns with desired toppings.

THE PERFECT BURGER RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients (except the buns) in large bowl. Mix thoroughly with hands. Be sure to wear disposable latex gloves or well-cleaned rubber gloves while mixing to protect against e.coli and other bacteria, and to prevent cross-contamination with the rest of your meal!
• Stove-top: Form mixture into 8 patties. Fry at medium-high heat, turning regularly, until juices are no longer bloody (a few minutes per side, more depending on the thickness of your patties.)
• BBQ: form mixture into 6 patties. Grill at medium heat for a few minutes on each side, or until patties are firm and no longer pink throughout.
• Add a burger to each bun, garnish as you like, and enjoy!

PLAIN HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• If you are serving hamburgers on buns, make two patties of 1/4 pound each for each person.The less you handle the raw meat, the juicier the cooked hamburger will be, so form the patties gently, with a light touch.
• Brush with melted butter or oil. Sear them well on both sides and then continue grilling, turning often, until they are as well done as you like them. Personally, I feel they should be crusty brown on the outside, but still juicy and rare in the middle. Season with salt and pepper as you turn.
• Serve on hot toasted buns, or hot toasted French bread with a choice of good relishes and pickles. Don't forget the mustard (a sharp English type or one of the excellent French imports) and freshly grated horseradish for those who prefer something hot instead of the customary pickle condiments.

BASIC, PLAIN, PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Bun: Preheat oven to broil (this is for toasting the buns, if you toast the buns a different way, that is your business).
• Butter the cut a side and put it face up on a cookie sheet in the over for a few seconds to a few min so the bread is toasted, not burned. Should be about golden brown, not black.
• Patty: Form into a VERY FLAT, very thin patty and press your thumb in the middle so when it cooks up it doesn't get fat in the middle. Between 1/4" to 1/2" Put a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides.
• Heat up non-stick or cast iron skillet to medium heat. Make sure its HOT! You want water to evaporate and your burger to wildly sizzle when you touch it to the pan. You could add oil to the pan and wait til it's smoking but I am not partial to adding more fat and I like to let the non stick pan do its thing.
• WARNING: when you do it right, in my house, it gets pretty smoky and the vent sucks. In my old apartment, I would have to have the windows pre opened and the fan on because we had crazy sensitive alarms. Just so you know, it can be kinda smoky so prepare for that.
• Put it in the pan. HEAR the SIZZLE! Now don't touch it. Don't even look at it cooking because you will want to touch it. Yes, I see that little side looks thicker than the other but you formed the patty. Deal with it. Don't move it. don't even it out. It's too late. just make another one. MOST IMPORTANTLY:.
• DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON THE PATTIES! or your burger will be sad and dry and not crispy on the outside. There is a lil puddle of liquid forming on the raw side before the flip but don't mess with it. Here is your guide:.
• 1 1/2 min per side = SEAR (not even close to done).
• 2 1/2 min per side = RARE (better for steak, not so much burgers).
• 3 min per side = MED RARE (still more of a steak temp but some people like theirs this pink).
• 4 min per side = MED *****PERFECT BURGER CRISPINESS****.
• 4 1/2 min per side= MED WELL (if you want this, you're dumb and your burger won't be as fabulous but don't you feel "safer" for eating charred meat. Hmph).
• Place on toasted bun and wrap with wax paper or a paper towel for 2-3 minute This lets the flavor set in like the juices resting in a steak. Please, do not skip this step. Your burger will be a juicy little bite of heaven if you do this right. CUE up Shining Star by Earth Wind and Fire. Now you deliver this NO WAY OVER HYPED BURGER to your picky boyfriend and let devouring ensue. To make more, just make more. Duh. 30 oz = 6 patties.