The burger is one of the most popular foods that has graced many a restaurant. Everything from the juicy, rich patty to the perfectly-made burger bun has been known to make people salivate with the same potency as Ivan Pavlov’s doggy-dinner-time bell ringing.
But the problem is that so many people get it wrong, and when they do, the burger becomes relegated to something that you can easily pick up at your local fast-food chain. It then becomes something cheap and sloppily-made. My dear readers, burger making is a sacred art to some people and the kitchen is their temple.
Here are some tips you need to heed in order to avoid making a blasphemy out of a burger:
- USE HIGH-QUALITY MEATThis is pretty obvious but it’s often overlooked. Different types of beef alter the texture of your burger. You need a solid foundation to your burger and this is exactly it. Brisket, short rib, and chuck should be on your shortlist if you plan on making the perfect burger. Even Mcdonald’s is stepping up their game, so why shouldn’t you?
- DEPRESS THE CENTER OF YOUR PATTIESAfter shaping your patties, you need to make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb. This ensures that you don’t end up with burgers that bulge in the center. The meat will cook and expand as you apply heat to it. The indentation is the perfect way to counteract this expansion. This also helps prevent your patties from shrinking.
- USE HIGH-QUALITY FILLERSBy this I mean crisp lettuce, meaty tomatoes, and properly-melted cheese. If burger-making is the same as putting an outfit together, these fillers are your accessories. Poorly chosen accessories stand out from a well-put-together outfit. The same can be said for these fillers. You’re going to want a clear contrast in texture; the crisp you get from the lettuce and the juiciness from the tomato and the patty. The cheese needs to be properly melted — it should enrobe your patty in order for it to bring all these flavors together.
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO FLIP YOUR BURGER MORE THAN ONCETo say that the less you flip your burger, the quicker it cooks is a myth. Chefs all over the country recommend flipping your burger every 15 to 20 seconds. This helps distribute the heat evenly which also means that your burger cooks evenly. Evenly-distributed heat also means that the burger is constantly cooking from all sides. This helps you grill your burgers quicker. Don’t forget to let your burger patty settle for at least five minutes after grilling. This helps cook the meat inside even more and it also helps the juices spread out inside for a mouthgasmically-juicy first bite.
- USE A SOFTER BUNPatty? Check. Fillers? Check. Now you need the perfect bun in order to make the perfect burger. You need a softer bun because you’re going to toast it a little (you don’t want to start off with an already tough bun). The toasting adds a little crisp. For a pleasant surprise, try buttering your bun before and after toasting it.
With these tips, you’re sure to make the perfect burger every time, all the time. Cooking a good meal takes time, effort, and money. The Average Joe and Jane usually just has money and cooking their own food simply isn’t a valid option. For these people, there’s a burgers and fries delivery service that’d surely be just the thing they need.