Hamburgers may not be just a summer food, but there is something about the two together that makes each individually so much better. There are few things more satisfying than a good burger grilled poolside. It’s one of our favorite foods here at Wably, and we wanted to give you a few tips and tricks to make your burger the best you’ve ever had.
Our tips aren’t going to help you make a healthy burger, so if you’re going to be too busy counting calories to enjoy yourself we recommend our articles about the 8 ways you’re ruining your salad or our Dirty Low Carb Diet Hacks. We’re also sticking to beef burgers, because making a great turkey, chicken or veggie burger is completely different.
1. Preformed is not Okay
Never buy preformed frozen patties. Ever. They’re easy, yes, but they are also far more likely to be dried out. Plus they have so many added ingredients. They aren’t just beef, and while we’re not crazy like The Food Babe, we still like being in control of what we put in our mouths.
2. Fat is Okay
As tempting as it may be to go lean, it’s just not as tasty. Fat is flavor, and this is especially true when it comes to burgers. We tend to prefer an 85/15 mix (85% lean, 15% fat). It provides amazing flavor without being too greasy.
Just be prepared for the flames when you go to grill your patties, because the fat will drop onto the fire and cause flare ups. This can create some very yummy flavors on your burgers, but it can also singe off your eyebrows if you aren’t careful.
3. Keep your Patties Simple
When you’re making your hamburger patties don’t put a whole bunch of crap in them. No ketchup, Worcestershire, ground mustard, garlic or anything else like that. You need beef, salt and pepper. You might get away with using one egg to help hold your patties together, but even then you don’t need it.
Who cares if your hamburgers aren’t perfectly circular? Nobody, especially if they’re freak’n delicious.
Further, don’t make your hamburger patties too skinny either. They’ll dry out and be overcooked before you can get a good sear on them.
4. Charcoal is King
Cooking a burger over flame is always better than on a griddle or in a pan, but cooking it over a charcoal fire is even better. Sorry to the propane lovers out there, but charcoal is king when it comes to grilling, especially when we’re talking burgers.
Another way to step up the flame game is to put some mesquite chips on the charcoal right before your burgers go on. Trust us.
5. Sweet is a Treat
This may sound weird, but peach preserves or grilled pineapple will take your burger to a whole new level. Seriously, season your patty with ample amounts of salt, grill it over charcoal, and then skip the ketchup and use peach preserves instead. It’s so mouthwateringly awesome that you’ll tell all your friends about it.
6. Good Cheese is Key
Taking a hamburger and turning it into a cheeseburger is a step in the right direction as far as we’re concerned, but people who stick to cheap American cheese are really missing out.
The next time you feel like a cheeseburger try something different, like pepperjack or havarti. Also, don’t be afraid of strong cheeses like a Stilton, Cabrales or Queso de Valdeón, which are all beautiful blues. The Stilton is a a bit creamier and salty, while the Valdeón is a semi-soft, with the Cabrales being more crumbly and a touch spicy.
If you’re the type of person who likes mayo on their burgers, try putting a thin layer of brie on it instead. This goes especially well with the peach preserves.
7. Ditch the Bum Bun
Bleached white flour hamburger buns are out. Go for something a little more interesting, like a soft but sturdy potato roll, crusty ciabatta, or a buttery brioche bun.
Oh, and the last key to the perfect bun is toasting is just a bit.
