Have you ever wondered what to add to ground beef for burgers? Well, if you have, wonder no longer. Below is a list of five ingredients that can change up the taste of your burgers.
Ground beef is pretty versatile. If you just have ground beef on hand, you can make burgers, meatloaf, or even tacos. But if you want to get more out of it and flavor it up a bit, then try these easy and tasty things to add to the next batch that you make.
What To Add To Ground Beef For Burgers?
To a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef. Use your hands or a spoon to gently break it apart. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper to taste. Gently combine the spices with the ground beef until everything is well-combined. Step number two. Separate the burger meat into four 8-ounce-thick patties and place them in the refrigerator.
What can I use instead of pre-ground beef for burgers?
The purchase of a chosen cut of beef (such as chuck) and then having it ground by the meat department or grinding it yourself at home is another option to pre-ground beef. When making grilled hamburgers, choose a coarser grind rather than a finer grind to get a lighter texture and a crispier outside. No one like a burger that is too thick.
What is the best thing to put on a hamburger?
4. Crumbs of bread. Because your hamburger will already be served on a bun, the addition of bread crumbs will not significantly enhance the flavor of your hamburger. Their primary role is to impart a slight dryness to your beef mixture, which is particularly beneficial when combined with a moist component. It can also be used as a lengthening agent.

How do you add moisture to ground beef burgers?
Mixing in a dollop of peanut butter into your burgers is another great option to add some more moisture to your meal. Not only will this impart a distinct Georgia taste to the burger, but the oil in the peanut butter will also keep it moist and succulent. Make sure to leave out the salt while mixing the ground beef mixture if you’re planning on making your burgers in advance.
What can I add to ground beef to make it better?
Add chopped herbs and soaked breadcrumbs as filling and flavoring to complete the dish. When you season ground beef with minced garlic, fresh herbs, and dry spices, the taste is so intense because the seasoning is incorporated directly into the flesh, unlike when you season a steak or roast, where the seasoning merely lies on the top.
Do you need to add anything to ground beef for burgers?
Breadcrumbs soaked in water can be used to provide filler and flavoring. When you season ground beef with minced garlic, fresh herbs, and dry spices, the taste is so intense because the seasoning is incorporated directly into the flesh, unlike when you season a steak or roast, when the seasoning is simply on the surface.

What can I add to beef burgers?
Burger Meat Ingredients: What to Put in It
- Egg. Incorporating an egg into every pound of beef improves both the consistency and the flavor of the meat while also preventing it from falling apart while cooking on the grill. Bacon, onions, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, grated or shredded cheese, and barbecue sauce are all good additions.
What to add to ground beef to make patties stay together?
1 egg yolk per pound of hamburger is a good rule of thumb. It will not significantly increase the fat content of the meat and will help to glue the meat together wonderfully. Another option is to combine the meat with canned, drained, and crushed black beans or chickpeas. The starch from the beans will help to hold the meat together while also providing a unique flavor.
What spices go well with ground beef?
- The following spices pair exceptionally well with beef: Cumin, cinnamon, dark chilies, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, curry powder, and mustard powder are all good options.
What does adding an egg to ground beef do?
When it comes to using eggs in hamburger patties or meatloaf, the egg acts as a binder, holding the meat and other components together while the egg is cooking.According to Michigan State University, the higher the fat content of the meat, the greater the amount of shrinkage the meat experiences after cooking.The addition of fat is necessary for flavor and juiciness, but the fat contributes to weight gain.
Do burgers need bread crumbs?
In standard burger patty recipes, breadcrumbs are not often used; nevertheless, the addition of breadcrumbs to this recipe helps to create a lighter and more tender feel in the finished patties when they are cooked. The egg serves as a binding agent, allowing the patties to be formed with ease and without breaking. It also aids in the retention of their shape when cooked.
What is the secret ingredient in a burger?
In order to cook the burger, a pat of butter should be placed on top of each patty. As the burger is cooked, the butter melts and drops down, basting the meat as it cooks. You’ll receive the caramelized taste of browned butter, as well as an infusion of smokey charcoal grill deliciousness, which will result in an outstanding hamburger experience.
What goes best with burgers?
Here are 21 delectable side dishes to accompany your burgers.
- Baked Beans with a Barbecue Sauce. It’s simple and straightforward to prepare, yet it’s bursting with flavor.
- Salad de Pasta. Pasta salad is a light and tangy dish that is delicious.
- Toppings: Quinoa Salad, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion rings, Coleslaw, Roasted Tomatoes, Zucchini Chips
How do you make burgers taste better?
- Using freshly ground beef, keeping everything extremely cold, and not fiddling with your meat are all good ideas. Do not salt beef until patties are formed.
- It is important to consider form.
- Use a lot of seasoning
- Flip your burger as many times as you want
- use a thermometer to check the temperature.
What can you use to bind burgers instead of breadcrumbs?
14 cup crumbs from crackers or pretzels 14 cup unsweetened cornflakes or equivalent unsweetened cereals, crushed a third cup of unbleached ordinary rolled oats (Use this solely as a replacement for bread crumbs when making meat loaf or other meat mixes, such as hamburgers.)
How do you keep burgers together?
Instructions for Making a Lean Burger Stick Together
- If the ground beef was frozen, it should be thawed in the refrigerator.
- Add chosen mix-ins to the meat before creating patties, but don’t forget to keep the salt out.
- Once again, use cold, damp hands to carefully handle the meat as you form your patties.
- Just before you cook your burger, season it with salt and pepper on both sides.
How do you put burgers together?
How to layer a burger
- Begin with a lightly toasted bun at the bottom of the stack.
- Add at least a teaspoon of the sauce of your choice
- After that, use a complete leaf of lettuce to collect any burger juices
- Tomatoes cut into thick pieces
- Your patties, topped with melted cheese, is the star of the show.
- Those pickles and onions provide a lovely bed for the melted cheese.
Do I need to add egg to ground beef for burgers?
Incorporating Egg into Hamburger Meat If you’re using lean ground beef with a high fat content, the components should hold together well enough on their own that you won’t need to add an egg to the burger. However, if you’re concerned about the meat’s ability to remain together, you can always add an egg to be on the safer side.
How do you make burgers taste better?
- Using freshly ground beef, keeping everything extremely cold, and not fiddling with your meat are all good ideas. Do not salt beef until patties are formed.
- It is important to consider form.
- Use a lot of seasoning
- Flip your burger as many times as you want
- use a thermometer to check the temperature.
How do you add Flavour to beef burgers?
To make beef burgers taste even better, use herbs and spices such as parsley and basil along with oregano, marjoram, savory, garlic, and chili flakes or powder to season the meat. Use dill pickles, sweet relish, capers, anchovies, or chutney to enhance the flavor of your beef burger. Almost any cheese will go well with a beef burger, so experiment with what you like.
Should I season ground beef for burgers?
The procedures for creating burgers appear to be straightforward: Prepare the ground beef by forming it into patties and cooking it according to your preference. Given that you aren’t preparing meatloaf or meatballs with the ground beef, you won’t need any extra spices – simply some plain ol’ salt and pepper will suffice here.
What are the best tips for seasoning burgers?
There are a plethora of seasoning possibilities for burgers, but an outstanding hamburger takes little more than good quality ground beef, salt, pepper, and the flavor that comes from searing on a hot grill to be truly delicious.
How do you add moisture to ground beef burgers?
Mixing in a dollop of peanut butter into your burgers is another great option to add some more moisture to your meal. Not only will this impart a distinct Georgia taste to the burger, but the oil in the peanut butter will also keep it moist and succulent. Make sure to leave out the salt while mixing the ground beef mixture if you’re planning on making your burgers in advance.
How much salt do you put in a ground beef burger?
In a large mixing bowl, evenly distribute the 1/2 teaspoon salt over the ground beef. Gently shape the meat into four balls, then softly press into patties that are 4-inches wide and 1-inch thick.
How to Make a Hamburger
Toss out those processed burger patties! Making your own burger is both easy and a much healthier option. All you need is to get some freshly ground beef from your favorite butcher and to put in a bit of effort. If you want to know how to make a hamburger, just follow these steps.
Ingredients
Burger
- 1 pound (453 grams) 80% lean ground beef/chuck
- 6 burger buns
- 1 egg yolk
Seasoning
- ½ small red or white onion
- Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white pepper
- 1 garlic clove
- Handful fresh herbs, chopped roughly
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 2 thinly sliced tomatoes
- 6 slices of cheese
- Lettuce leaves
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
Part1Making the Patties for the Burger
- Get the right meat. Get a butcher to grind chuck beef for you with a 20% fat content. If you use more fat, it will just drip off the meat and cause fire flare-ups; less and the burgers will be dry. If possible, buy the meat the day you’re going to cook it.
- Ask the butcher to grind the meat twice, once in the coarse plate of the grinder and then through the fine plate.
Part2Seasoning (Optional)
- 1Place the ground beef in a bowl. You’ll add the other ingredients to it when you’re ready.
- 3Add any of the ingredients you want to add to the burger. This includes the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and the chopped herbs. These ingredients are optional, but they can add a special flavor to the meat.
- 4Add the egg yolk. Season one egg yolk with salt and pepper and mix everything together. It is easier to start mixing with a spoon; then use your clean hands to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
- 5Create the burgers. Handle the meat as little as possible, so you don’t squeeze out the juices.
- Shape the mixture into 6 equal-sized balls using your hands.
- Press the balls down to make flat burger shapes about ½ inch (1.27cm) thick. Make a small indentation in the center of the burger with your thumb. This prevents the center from swelling, leading to uneven cooking
Tips and Tricks for the Juiciest Grilled Burgers You’ll Ever Make

No one wants to chow down on a dry, crumbly McMess. You deserve better! So try out these 7 simple tricks for making a perfect, juicy grilled burger every time.
Pros will tell you that ensuring tender, juicy burgers has to do with both sourcing and technique. Some say you shouldn’t actually grill burgers (more on that below), but we say if you do, just do it right.
Feel free to play around with the formula, but whatever you do, don’t let it be an overdone, leaden disc of sadness.
How to Grill Perfect Burgers
Tip #1: Avoid extra-lean grinds. The higher the fat content of your ground beef, the moister the patty. A burger with beef that’s 80 percent lean (i.e., 20 percent fat) is luxurious and juicy.
Tip #2: Minimal handling is just as important. Form the patties gently, compressing as little as possible. Just as overworking pastry and dough will make it tough, so will over-handling your meat. (While we’re on the subject of handling meat, proper food safety technique will also help prevent foodborne illness, the bane of any BBQ.)
Tip #3: Make an indentation in the middle of each patty. Just press your thumb (not too firmly) into the meat and the divot will prevent it from puffing up and will allow it to cook evenly. This one is endorsed by Jon Lemon, culinary director of Bareburger.
Tip #4: Don’t press the patties with a spatula as they cook—that just forces out the juice. Your spatula is strictly for flipping, and only once.
Tip #5: Keep in mind there’s carryover cooking time, so pull the burgers off the grill just shy of your target doneness. They’ll be just right when they hit the table. Conversely, pull them off when they already look perfect, and by the time they hit your bun, they’ll be overdone.
Tip #6: If you just can’t resist buying lean ground beef, try adding a bit of water to it. A little extra moisture helps even well-done burgers stay juicy and tender, even if they’re made from 90 percent lean ground beef. Mix in 1/4 to 1/2 cup water per pound of ground beef before forming your patties to reap the tenderizing benefit of H20. Some chefs tuck an ice cube into the middle of the patty for the same effect.
Tip #7: Try stuffing it with cheese and adding fat via toppings. The classic Juicy Lucy is a great option for anyone who wants a really luxurious burger, since it’s full of molten cheese.
Along those lines, adding fatty, moist condiments like aioli, bacon jam, ripe tomatoes, and sliced avocado will help boost your burger’s juicy factor (and flavor), but can’t totally save a bone-dry patty, so follow the tips above to ensure your burgers stay perfectly moist on the grill, and then go to town with the toppings.