Nothing compares to the succulent juicy taste of a fresh off-the-grill burger. An American classic, the hamburger got its humble beginnings in the mid 1800s from its predecessor Salisbury steak, notes Chow.com. Meat grinders made creation of the classic burger easier in many households, but the burger was propelled into popular American culture with the advent of fast-food joints in the 1940s. The designation as "best" burger is subject to your preferences, but you can take this classic-yet-easy dish and create endless variations with simple additions including spices, minced veggies or pungent cheeses.
Burger and Grill Prep
Step 1
Fire up your grill. For charcoal grills, pre-heat the coals for approximately 15 minutes or until they ash over. For gas grills, put the setting on high five to 10 minutes before you are ready to place the burgers on. You can lightly glaze the grill rungs with olive oil to prevent sticking, or brush your burgers with oil before you place them on the grill.
Step 2
Place the raw ground meat in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle black pepper and/or a dash of salt to the meat. Flavor to your liking, but go easy on the salt so the flavor of your burger is not overwhelmed by the taste of salt. Finely chop 1/4 cup of onion to add in the mix. Onion and spices are optional flavorings. Add 1 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce to the mix, again a flavoring option.
Step 3
Whisk one egg and add it to the meat mix. The egg is like a glue that keeps your burger from falling apart once you place it on the grill. You do not have to use egg, you can choose egg substitute or take a chance with no egg at all.
Step 4
Clean your hands or put on food prep gloves. Blend the meat mix all together with your hands but do not over-knead it. The ingredients are mixed when it creates a packed consistency and you no longer see the yellow part of the egg mix.
Step 5
Divide the mixture into four or six patties depending on the amount of meat you use and how big you want your burgers. Bigger is better because during cooking the burgers will shrink in size.
Grill to Perfection
Step 1
Place your burger patties on the preheated grill. Use a spatula to maintain the shape of the burger and do not press on the burger while it is cooking.
Step 2
Add zing to the burger as it grills with a quick sprinkle of Cajun spice on each side. The more you add, the hotter it becomes, so keep this in mind if you want a burger you can sink your teeth into that won't cause a fire in your mouth.
Step 3
Flip your burgers after three to five minutes on the first side. This will give a golden brown color on the outside and a slight pinkness on the inside. For a well-done burger, cook each side for up to 15 minutes. Your burgers are done when they feel firm to a gentle press. According to your preference, add your favorite cheese two minutes before the burgers are done.
Step 4
Toast the buns on the grill for two minutes, then remove your burgers and buns to serve. Dress your burger with an array of vegetables and sauces, or eat it plain and hot off the grill.
Tips and Warnings
- Use ground turkey for a lower fat alternative.
- Do not overcook the burgers to the point of dryness.
Things You'll Need
- 1 or 2 lbs. ground lean ground beef
- Black pepper
- 1 small onion
- 1 egg
- Cajun spice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Large wheat buns
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