How to Make the Best Homemade Hamburger Recipe

The cheeseburger with pickles and french fries is an American staple.

For generations, the hamburger has challenged many indoor and outdoor chefs. They are simple in their form -- a little ground beef on a bun -- but have plenty of possibilities. Additions to the beef, or a freshly baked homemade bun, can make the lowly hamburger a gourmet meal. Add an ethnic ingredient to your ground beef, or apply some regional flavor. For instance; a New Orleans-style blackened burger, a Chicago-style chili burger, or a Tex-Mex burger. The combinations are endless.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups combined Italian cheeses (Provolone, Asiago, Romano, Parmesan, Mozzarella), shredded
• 2 tbsp. cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 6 hamburger buns
• 2 tbsp. thinly-sliced fresh basil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinaigrette dressing
• 6 romaine lettuce leaves
• 1 large tomato, cut into six slices
• For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
• 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and freshly-ground pepper

Instructions

Combine Ingredients

1. 

   A plain hamburger can be a special meal with the right extras.

   Heat a grill, indoor or outdoor, to 160 degrees. Combine the cheeses and egg. Combine the beef and sausage. Add the beef mixture to 3/4 cup of the cheese mixture.

2. 

   Hamburgers go with hot dogs.

   Form about six patties, 1/2-inch thick, and place them on the grill. Cook the patties to your preference: rare, medium or well-done. Toast the hamburger buns for about 1 minute.

3. Combine the extra cheese mixture with the fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette. Add all prepared ingredients to a toasted bun with lettuce and a tomato slice.

4. 

   A vinaigrette is a tasty addition to burgers, pasta and salad.

   To make the Balsamic vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, mustard and garlic. Gradually pour the oil into the mixture, and whisk continually. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. 

   Cold asparagus is a refreshing substitute for a salad.

   Good side dishes are feta cheese, sliced tomatoes, salad or cold asparagus.

Tips & Warnings

• Hot Italian sausage spices up the recipe.

• Watch the heat of your grill, as to not overcook the outside of the burger before the inside is cooked.

References

• Kraft Foods: Italian Sausage Burgers
• Epicurious: Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Epicurious: Herbed Hamburgers with Arugula

Resources

• Allrecipes: Building Better Burgers