Homemade Burgers

NeverWinter · 7 Dec 2011 at 10:45

I have a 1.5lb bag of mince at home and was thinking (salivating) about making some burgers with it. I've never attempted them before, throw some ideas at me!

I was thinking adding some finely chopped/diced onions and chillies?

Ahleckz · 7 Dec 2011 at 10:56

I always add some very finely chopped green apple into mine. Works really well. Also find some lea and perins is nice.

randomshenans · 7 Dec 2011 at 10:56

Been a couple of threads on this in here. Have a search.

I really want to try Heston's burgers from "in search of perfection" series. In essence just meat in it and seasoning but with different cuts of beef.

http://mmmmsugar.com/2011/07/03/in-search-of-perfection-heston-blumenthals-burgers-and-baked-alaska/

Like that, the key is the rolling it up like a sausage so when you cut the burgers the strands of meat are facing the right way, so it's not like a dense patty, it comes away properly.

NeverWinter · 7 Dec 2011 at 11:22

I had a quick search for "burger" not a great deal came up...

I think the apple would work really well if it had some pork mixed in too, maybe as a meatball?

Can't see that link at work, will look at home.

d_brennen · 7 Dec 2011 at 11:25

The wife makes a mean burger. Chopped onion and black pepper with some cornflour I think

Haircut · 7 Dec 2011 at 11:30

NeverWinter said:
I have a 1.5lb bag of mince at home and was thinking (salivating) about making some burgers with it. I've never attempted them before, throw some ideas at me!

I was thinking adding some finely chopped/diced onions and chillies?

Form mince into burger shape.
Cook.

IMO if it's decent mince I wouldn't add anything to it other than a grinding of salt and pepper on the surface.

If you want a bit more than that, this is how I do mine:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=19913621&postcount=12

Mr Jack · 7 Dec 2011 at 11:38

I make them like this:

Chop up an onion pretty finely, add a handful of breadcrumbs, your mince, a beaten egg, some salt & pepper and your favoured herbs and spices. Mix thoroughly with your hands and then form into patties of even thickness by pulling off even sized chunks, rolling them into balls and then flattening.

Mind you, I'm allergic to beef so I've never tried making them with beef (obviously) and I don't know how much difference that makes. I think adding a bit of egg and breadcrumb helps produce a burger with good texture that stays together well. I find that if you don't add a bit of something else it won't taste as good and tends to fall apart. YMMV.

silent · 7 Dec 2011 at 12:15

i like a dash of lea and perrins, but if not that, try chillies, black pepper, touch of salt and paprika powder for a wee bit of smokeyness. also, cheese in the centre goes well will fine grated onion and tiny diced greenpepper.

Pate · 7 Dec 2011 at 19:25

Black pepper + onion + mince + possibly curry powder = win

HeadlessChicken · 7 Dec 2011 at 19:27

Get good enough meat, then a sprinkle of S&P on top, whacked on a red hot griddle is all you need IMO.

alexakasloth · 7 Dec 2011 at 20:44

A red, yellow or green pepper, some pepper,ground coriander and cumin.

Maximum Triceratops · 8 Dec 2011 at 15:41

Whatever you add, after forming the burers make sure you chill them in the fridge to prevent them breaking up in the frying pan.

NeverWinter · 8 Dec 2011 at 16:04

Maximum Triceratops said:
Whatever you add, after forming the burers make sure you chill them in the fridge to prevent them breaking up in the frying pan.

I think this is my biggest concern.

Kanifee · 8 Dec 2011 at 21:12

salt, Cumin powder, chilli powder, finely diced jalapeno peppers, cooked kidney beans, finely diced onion breadcrumbs and an egg and presto, you have some cracking Mexican chilli beef burgers.