How to Make the Best Hamburger

The "best" hamburger may be the one you make yourself.

The "best" hamburger is the burger that has all of the toppings you like and is cooked just the way you like it. The only way to get such a burger is to make one at home. It takes more work and time than a trip through a fast-food lane, but the burger will be fresh, and you will have the exact toppings you want.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 lbs. ground beef
• Hamburger bun or roll
• Condiments
• Toppings of your choice
• Skillet, pan, or grill
• Knife
• Spatula

Instructions

1. Wash and slice any toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, in advance. Set them aside so they will be ready when the meat is done cooking.

2. Cook or grill any toppings if you prefer them hot. Keep them on a microwavable plate and reheat them when you're ready to top the hamburger.

3. As gently as possible, form about 1/4 lb. of hamburger meat into a ball, then flatten it into a disc shape. The beef must be tight enough so the patty will hold together when it cooks. Use your finger to create a well in the middle of the hamburger patty. This will allow room for the ground beef to rise as it cooks. The result should be a flat burger.

4. Heat the pan or grill. There is no need for oil in the pan since there is fat in the burger, but you may want to lightly grease a grill. Cook the burger for about 5 to 8 minutes over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to flip the hamburger patty over, and cook it for another 3 to 4 minutes. The cooking burger patty should "puff" up, but, because of the well, it should stay flat. When the burger is done, you should feel a slight resistance when you press lightly in the middle.

5. Toast the burger bun if desired. Top it with the hamburger patty, burger toppings, and condiments.

Tips & Warnings

• The juices of a cooked hamburger should be clear to semi-clear, but not red.

• Kaiser rolls make fantastic hamburger buns

• Do not over work your hamburger meat

• Do not over cook your burger patties

References

• Homemade Hamburger