The Secret Guide to the Perfect Hamburger

Hamburgers are a classic American food that is loved by people of all ages. But what makes a hamburger perfect? We have the answer!

We believe that we solved the age long question – how to create the perfect burger!

From the Testkitchen @ The Modern Cookbook

Step by Step Hamburger Guide

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect hamburger:

1. Choose the right ground beef. The best ground beef for hamburgers is a blend of 80% lean and 20% fat. This will give you a burger that is juicy and flavorful, but not too greasy. This ratio should always be used, even though you could go with something fattier like a Wagyu this generally ruins the texture of the meat and is a waste of good beef.
2. Don’t overwork the meat. When you’re forming the patties, be gentle. Overworking the meat will make it tough. A secret trick from us is to wrap the meat in plastic wrap/serrano wrap to desired width, and then let it rest in the fridge for an hour.
3. Season the patties generously. Salt and pepper are the basics, but you can also add other spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
4. Sear the burger on high heat. An important rule of thumb is to always steak the burgers in a flat skillet/pan for a perfect result every time. It’s important to let the surface get to maximum temperature, a nice addition is to use fat instead of butter/oil. How long depends on the temperature of your meat aswell as how you like your burgers. A good rule is around 3-4 minutes per side for a medium burger, but we always recommend using a thermometer and letting it go until 107 degrees Fahrenheit or 42 degrees Celsius (make sure you don’t forget the resting).
5. Let the burgers rest for five minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the burger.
6. Finish in oven. Now finish the patties off by adding some cheese or other condiments, then placing them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celsius for 60 seconds. This last step will make sure the burger gets perfect, every time!

Make sure you try out our recipe for the Classic American Hamburger.

The Hamburgers ultimate sidekick – The Condiments

The second-best thing after you bite into that fantastic juicy burger is of course the sides. No burger is as good as the sides they are paired with. Here are some tips for the best condiments for your burger meal.

• The classic side, the king of potatoes… French fries, try our own Crispy French Fries for the absolute best version of this fantastic crispy golden side!
• Something fresh? Why not try adding the also very classic Coleslaw. We recommend the fantastic homemade coleslaw from Holly at Spend with Pennies.
• Dipping sauce? Of course! Try our delicious Creamy Dreamy Veggie Dip or want something quick, try our Fast Eggplant Dip.
• A fresh salad to freshen the experience, try our Halloumi Salad Recipe as a fantastic side, that would even stand fantastic on its own!
• Finally, a big cold beverage, why not try Refreshing Ginger Lemonade Recipe.. Now we are in love!

The Hamburger Sauces – What’s your taste?

What’s the best way of pulling flavor into your fantastic burger, without ruining the look and the feel of the burger itself? The sauce!

Below is some recommendations of different sauces and dressings that will take your burger to the next level, try them out and feel free to comment below which one you prefer.

• The Classic taste is of course made with your favorite Barbeque Sauce, either a simple storebought one or level-up and serve a homemade version to impress your family and friends!
• The Clean taste is plain and simple mayonnaise and maybe some ketchup… nothing more and nothing less.
• The Nostalgic taste of the Burger Dressing is always tasty and especially if serving to kids or the whole family this is probably the safest bet. Mix some mayo, tomato paste, pickles with a hint of lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika and salt & peppers… and you’re set!
• The Fusion taste is made by adding some teriyaki sauce, which is sweet and tangy and gives the burger new life. Fantastic for that hint of Asian!
• The Fresh taste is created by using the Mexican Pico de Gallo as a dressing, sounds weird right? Try it, we promise you won’t be disappointed!
• The Rock & Roll taste is our absolute favorite here at The Modern Cookbook, it’s made by adding whisky into the sauce. Keep your eyes peeled, we will soon share our fantastic version made of Jack Daniels!
• The Mouthwatering taste of umami is wonderful. This is another favorite of ours, create a truffle mayo and no one can resist taking a second burger!

Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Hamburger

Here are some additional tips for making the perfect hamburger:

• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. A medium burger should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit/70 degrees Celsius. Remember that the patty will keep cooking as the resting occurs.
• Don’t press down on the burgers while they’re cooking. This will squeeze out the juices and make the burgers dry. If you prefer crispy burgers form a ball which you flatten on the pan instead!
• If you’re grilling the burgers, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. When grilling burgers, use a skillet or a pan, not the grate.
• Brush the burgers with a little bit of oil before grilling. This will help prevent them from sticking to the grill.
• Flip the burgers only once. This will help them cook evenly.
• Don’t overcook the burgers. Overcooked burgers will be dry and tough.
• For better taste, don’t use oil but tallow instead… yum!

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be sure to make the perfect hamburger every time!

What else can you do to create the perfect hamburger?

Here are some additional ideas for making your hamburgers even more delicious:

• Add cheese to the burgers. Cheddar, Swiss, and American cheese are all popular choices. We recommend American cheddar & gruyere for the most delicious burger!
• Top the burgers with your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
• Get creative with your toppings! Try adding bacon, avocado, mushrooms, or grilled onions.
• Make your own burger buns. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your burgers.
• Serve the burgers with your favorite sides, such as French fries, potato salad, or coleslaw.

No matter how you make them, hamburgers are always a delicious and satisfying meal. So, heat up the pan and get cooking!