Hamburgers are an American classic.
And homemade hamburgers can be so much tastier, healthier and less expensive than their restaurant counterparts.
With homemade hamburger patties, you can select the exact kind and grade of beef you want and they can be customized in a variety of ways.
Standard hamburger condiments include ketchup, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
You also top them with cheese, slices of cooked bacon or sauteed onions and mushrooms.
For a change of pace, I love homemade hamburgers served with salsa and guacamole.
Are you one of those people who only eats hamburgers in restaurants?
Have you ever wondered how to make a homemade hamburger?
It's really very easy. Here's my super easy homemade hamburgers recipe.
Secrets to great homemade hamburgers...
- Choose fresh high quality ground beef. I prefer 80 to 85% lean ground chuck. Beef that is too lean will result in dry hamburgers.
- Mix a little salt and pepper into the hamburger meat before you form it into patties.
- Don't overwork the ground beef or it can become dense and tough. Work gently.
- Make the hamburger patties a little larger than you want since they will shrink as they cook.
- Make a ¼-inch indentation in the center of your hamburger patty to prevent it from puffing up in the middle while cooking.
- Have all your condiments and toppings ready before beginning to cook your hamburgers.
- Toast or warm your buns for best flavor.
Basic Hamburger Recipe
Ingredients
1-½ pounds ground chuck (80 to 85% lean)
1-½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 hamburger buns
Desired toppings and condiments
Directions for Preparation
In a large bowl gently mix the beef, salt and pepper together. Divide the hamburger meat into 4 equal portions. With your hands, gently and lightly shape each portion into a ¾ to 1-inch thick round patty. Press the center of each patty down in the center to create a ¼-inch indentation. This will help prevent your hamburgers from bulging in the middle as they cook.
Rub oil around a Cast-Iron Grill/Griddle or a Large Cast Iron Skillet placed on the stove over medium heat. When the oil is glistening and pan is hot, place the burgers into the pan indentation side up. Cook until the burgers are browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the burgers over with a sturdy spatula and continue to cook 4 to 5 more minutes or until they reach desired doneness.
You can check your hamburgers for doneness several ways. Experienced cooks can press on the meat with their finger and tell by its firmness how done it is. However, this takes some practice.
You also can make a little cut with the pointy end of a sharp knife and take a peak.
Or you can buy a Digital Instant Read Thermometer to insert into the center of your meat and measure it's temperature, which is what most cooking experts suggest.
Place the burgers on the buns and top them with your favorite condiments.
Homemade Hamburger Recipes Variation:
Cheeseburgers - Stir ¾ to 1 cup of your favorite shredded or crumbled cheese into your ground beef with the salt and pepper before proceeding with the directions above.
Recipes to go with your homemade hamburgers
Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe
Simple Shredded Romaine & Dill Salad
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