How to make a restaurant quality burger at home
Burgers are a family-favourite, but they don't have to be take-away. With a few cheeky tricks, you can really nail your burger game at home.
There's really only four elements you really need to give thought to. The rest is just extras.
Buns
Choose your buns well. Don't just grab the Tip-Top bun burgers – have a think about the texture of your bun.
There are so many options, from bakery buns to brioche and sourdough, and make sure you warm or lightly toast them before you stack as this helps them hold their shape.
Burger patty
The supermarkets have so many options now, from classic beef to vegan alternatives, chicken and even fish burgers. There's no shame in buying them ready-made.
Just make sure you don't poke them too much while they are in the pan/grill. Cook one side and then flip them.
If you are making a classic beef patty at home, keep it simple. The best patties are just mince with a bit of seasoning. You need a good quality mince with fat in it, so don't go for low-fat mince. Fat is flavour in a burger, and it also holds it together. When you have good mince you don't need breadcrumbs or eggs or anything else to bind it.
Another good trick is cooking them in the sandwich press/grill, cooking both sides at once. It's a great way to get them on the table really quickly.
And, always melt your cheese onto a hot patty. Just drape a slice over the top of the patty just before it comes off the grill or heat and let it melt.
Sauces
Sauces make a burger. There's nothing worse than a burger with no sauce. Keep your staples on hand (tomato, BBQ, mustard, aioli), but also make sure you have a really good burger sauce. All the major brands sell these now.
Extras
Extras make a difference. Here's a list of the best extras to take into consideration:
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Burger pickles/gherkins (these are a must for all burgers)
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Sliced burger cheese (for a great cheeseburger experience, look for smoky cheese slices)
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Shredded iceberg lettuce (for a Big Mac/McChicken-style burger)
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Tomato slices, onion rings, fried egg, beetroot slices (for a Milk Bar-style burger 'with the lot')
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Grilled rings of pineapple (for the pineapple lovers out there)
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