Even though burgers are widely available everywhere, you may feel the need to cook your own from time to time. And if you want to enjoy a luscious burger, you have to make the juiciest patty.
But if you are struggling to assemble the burger of your dream due to the patty being too dry or uncooked, you have come to the right place!
We will share all the tips and tricks and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make the perfect hamburger patty. Do you want to find out more? Keep on reading!
How to Make the Perfect Hamburger Patty – All the Juicy Details
The recipe we are going to share will only take you 15-20 minutes, including preparation. So without wasting much time, let’s get to that part right away!
Ingredients
- Ground Chuck Beef
- Worcestershire sauce
- Egg
- Seasoning – Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper
Step One: Mix Everything
Take your ground beef and put it in a large bowl. Now add seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and egg to the meat. The egg will act as a binder, but you can add a little bit of breadcrumb to hold everything together.
You can also make your party without the sauce, but it will provide a smoky and beefy flavor to it. And you can also use any seasoning according to your preference.
Now mix everything well, but don’t go overboard. Once everything is nicely incorporated, you can proceed to the next phase.
Step Two: Divide the Mixture
Press the mixture into the bowl to form a large disk. Then divide the whole thing equally.
Step Three: Form the Patties
Take a baking sheet and line it with a baking sheet. Then take a portion of the mixture and give it the shape of a burger patty. Now you are in control of the patties’ thickness, so make them just like you want to have.
It would be better if you make the patties slightly bigger than the bun, as they are going to shrink while cooking.
Step Four: Make a Dimple
If your patties are thick, make a dent in the middle using your thumb or a spoon. It will prevent the patty from puffing up on the skillet.
Step Five: Prepare Your Skillet
Preheat the skillet in an oven to approximately 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a cast-iron skillet for a better experience.
Step Six: Cook the Patties
If your patties are thick, cook them for 3-4 minutes on each side for a medium texture. And for thinner patties, two minutes for each size will get the work done.
Final Step: Add the Cheese Slice
Once both sides are nicely done, put the cheese slice on top, and when it’s slightly melted, your patty is ready!
What Else Can You Add to This Perfect Recipe?
You can customize this recipe according to your taste and preferences. Let’s give a list of ingredients that you can add to the raw meat mixture to enhance its flavor.
- Crushed red peppers
- Minced scallion
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Soy Sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Sliced red or white onion
- Shredded cheeses such as gouda or mozzarella
However, you should use dried spices and herbs instead of fresh ones as the bite of them may not feel pleasant.
What Is the Perfect Size of a Burger Patty?
You can regulate the size of your patty just the way you want it. Here are some ideas that you can follow to have a lustrous patty every time.
Slider
Take 1¼lbs ground chuck beef and make a 6×8 rectangle. Then cut 12 square pieces of two-inch thickness to make a slider-style patty. And don’t forget to refrigerate them for at least twenty minutes.
Stuffed
If you want to try something out of the box, you can try these stuffed patties. Shape 1½ lbs of ground beef and form balls out of it. Now insert your thumb halfway through the ball to make a hole and stuff shredded cheese on it.
Once the burger is cooked, you can enjoy the melting cheese oozing out of the patty, which feels fantastic!
Thin
You can take 1 lb of ground beef for thin patties and make four beef balls out of it. Then place the balls in a sheet pan and press them with a tray to flatten them.
Thick
If you want to eat bistro-style burgers, take two pounds of ground beef and turn them into a 1-inch thick patty. And for these burgers, you need to make a dimple in the middle to cook them perfectly.
Tips to Cook Patty Like a Pro
Here are some tips that you can follow for making the best burger patty at home.
- Always use 80/20 ground chuck beef for your burger. This lean/fat ratio is the ideal one for cooking a juicy patty.
- Make a dimple with your thumb in the middle for accurate cooking.
- Season generously.
- Use canola oil and a cast-iron skillet for the best experience.
- Flip each side only once.
What’s the Right Temperature for Cooking a Patty?
If you don’t know the accurate cooking time, you can use this chart for a better experience.
- Rare – 6 minutes
- Medium Rare – 7 minutes
- Medium – 8 minutes
- Medium Well – 9 minutes
- Well done – 11 minutes
However, the cooking time also depends on the thickness of the patty. So be careful while doing that.
Final Verdict
Nothing is more delicious than a perfectly seasoned juicy patty trapped in toasty sesame buns. And when you assemble it with your favorite add-ons, it becomes a meal to die for!
You can customize your burger recipe depending on your mood. One can season the meat only with classic salt and pepper or add other herbs to enhance the taste.
Some people make their burgers with crispy beef bacon on them or have them with caramelized onion. So you can play with your burger as much as you want!
Now that you know how to make the perfect hamburger patty, you can enjoy a delightful bite of it whenever you want! Isn’t that fantastic?
James is the owner of North. After working at Nick’s on Broadway, James moved to Red Fez and put his knowledge to the test with hot dog R&D. He assisted in the launch of Momofuku Ko in NYC In 2008. And a year later, James was part of Christina Tosi’s team for Momofuku Milk Bar as their bread baker.