Forget all those pre-cooked or unhealthy burgers! You can make them yourself and create a much healthier meal. All you need is some fresh ground beef from your trusted butcher and a little bit of effort. If you want to learn how to cook a burger, read on.
Ingrediants
for the Hamburger
- 450g lean 85% beef
- 6 hamburger buns
- 1 egg yolk
for the Condiments (optional)
- Half a red or white onion (small)
- Ketchup
- mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of mustard
- 1 tablespoon of white pepper
- 1 clove of garlic
- A handful of coarsely chopped fresh herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 sliced tomatoes
- 6 slices of cheese
- Lettuce leaves
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Meat
Step 1. Get the right meat
Ask the butcher to chop up a piece of royal cut with 15% fat. If you choose a fatter cut it will drip onto the grill and only cause flames, while a cut with even less fat will result in a shrunken burger. If you can, buy the meat on the day you plan to cook it.
Ask the butcher to chop it twice, through two plates with different grits
Step 2. Put the meat in a bowl
You will be able to add the other ingredients when you are ready to cook.
Step 3. Coarsely chop the onion and garlic
Put them in the bowl with the meat.
Step 4. Add all the ingredients you want and like
It could be Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard and herbs. All of these ingredients are optional, but they give the meat a great flavor.
Step 5. Put the egg yolk
Season it with salt and pepper, then mix it with all the other ingredients. You can help yourself with a wooden spoon or use clean hands.
Step 6. Prepare the "meatballs"
Try to handle the meat lightly, to avoid letting out the juices.
- Model 6 equal sized meat balls.
- Crush each ball to make meatballs about 1.5cm thick. Apply a little pressure in the center with your thumb to prevent the meat from swelling during cooking.
Part 2 of 3: Cooking
Step 1. Arrange the meatballs on a plate
Cover them with cling film or parchment paper. Leave them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, so the meat is compacted and easier to cook. Meat for burgers should always be cooked when cold.
Step 2. Choose the cooking technique you prefer
You can use the grill, the barbecue, the pan. You can also bake burgers in the oven; it all depends on what you have available and what taste and texture you want. Whatever you decide to do, grease the meat with olive oil or melted butter when you take it out of the refrigerator. Here are the various methods:
- Grilled: Preheat the grill over medium heat. Cover it with aluminum foil to avoid getting too dirty. Place the burgers on the grill and cook them for 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- Pan-fried: Add oil or butter to the pan and fry the meat. Use low heat and slow cooker to cook the meat evenly.
- On the barbecue: cook them normally.
- Baked: After preheating the oven to 180 ° C, place the burgers for 15-30 minutes, depending on the thickness. Turn them halfway through cooking and check them regularly.
Step 3. While the meat is cooking, prepare the other ingredients
You can add the ones you like best to the sandwich, but here are some traditional tips:
- Wash the lettuce and tomatoes.
- Cut the bread in half and slice the tomato.
- Place the ketchup and mayonnaise on the table to allow each diner to flavor their sandwich as they prefer.
Step 4. Serve
When the meat is cooked to your guests' tastes, serve it. Place each burger in the bun, add the ingredients you made and bring them to the table.
Alternatively, you can make a dish with meat, rice, chips, salad or tomato puree
Part 3 of 3: Making Different Types of Burgers
Step 1. Make a delicious cheeseburger with pickles
Nobody will be able to resist.
Step 2. Make a double cheeseburger like McDonald's
Double meat, double happiness!
Step 3. Beer burger
Excellent with onions and a pinch of Tabasco sauce.
Step 4. Try the "pizza-burger"
Add some mozzarella and tomato sauce over the meat for a burger with an Italian twist.
Step 5. Peanut butter and bacon
Are you a bacon lover? Can't resist peanut butter? Why not try them together in a burger?
Step 6. Finished
Advice
- Do not crush the meatballs with the spatula while you cook them! You will only disperse the tasty juices of the meat and get dry burgers.
- If you are using a pan, it is best to close it with the lid to keep the meat moist and juicy.
- If you want a cheeseburger, cut the cheese into thin slices and place it on the meat when it is almost cooked.
- Did you know… Athens in Texas, Seymour in Wisconsin and New Haven in Connecticut all claim to be the home of the burger.
- Choose low-sugar toppings.
- You can substitute beef with minced lamb.
- Place the meat and seasonings on a bun with ketchup and mayonnaise on the side.
Warnings
- Cook the meat completely, so as not to risk food poisoning. To avoid Escherichia Coli, do not eat burgers that are rare or that are still raw inside.
- The grills and pans are obviously very hot, take the appropriate precautions not to burn yourself.
