How To Make A Juicy Hamburger

July 29, 2014

I am a healthy eater except when it comes to burgers. That's when my concern about calories, cholesterol and fat count flies out the window! I rarely like fast-food burgers because they taste like cardboard and who really knows what goes into to those patties.

Hence, I tend to make my own burgers at home. They're so affordable and easy to make. Here are some tips to bear in mind:

Only buy fresh ground chuck...never just ground beef or hamburger beef because these usually contain a very high percentage of fat, may include seasonings and flavor additives, and may even be treated with ammonia. Or they may be frozen and then defrosted.
Make sure the beef is coarsely grounded and has about 25% fat
If you must have lean meat, you can add chopped onions to the patty to add moisture
Do not add salt into the meat but put some on the outside just before cooking
Keep the meat refrigerated until ready to cook

For a perfectly shaped patty each time, here's a gadget that all burger lovers should have! The Paderno Oval Hamburger Press. Available at Pantry Pursuits.