Making the perfect patty out of ground beef is easier than you think! With just a few simple tips and tricks you can make juicy flavorful burgers that hold together beautifully on the grill or skillet. In this guide, I’ll share my best advice for shaping burgers so they come out perfect every time.
Choose the Right Ground Beef
The first step is selecting the right type of ground beef. Here are some tips:
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Go for 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio. The higher fat content helps the patties stay juicy and tender. Super lean 90/10 beef can end up dry and crumbly.
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For maximum flavor use ground chuck. It has enough fat for juiciness and lots of beefy taste.
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Ground sirloin is leaner but still works well. Combine it with some ground chuck for a good balance.
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Organic, grass-fed, or local beef offer fantastic flavor. The higher quality really comes through.
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For an ultra-indulgent burger, try ground wagyu beef. The marbling gives insane juiciness!
Handle the Beef Gently
Once you have the right beef, it’s time to form the patties. This is a delicate process:
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Handle the meat as little as possible. Overworking it makes the burgers dense and tough.
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Gently mix in any seasonings, being careful not to overmix. Fold rather than knead.
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Wet your hands before shaping. This prevents the meat from sticking.
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Use a light touch when forming the patties. Compress the meat just enough to shape, but don’t press too firmly.
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Make a slight depression in the center of each patty. This prevents puffing and helps the burger cook evenly.
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For smash burgers, use a rolling pin to gently flatten the patties. Don’t press out all the juices!
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Chill the shaped patties before cooking. This firms them up so they hold their shape better.
Size Matters
When shaping your patties, pay attention to size and thickness:
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For 4-ounce patties, shape them about 4 inches wide and 1 inch thick.
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Size the patties so they extend just beyond the edges of the bun.
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Thicker patties (up to 1 1/2 inches) work great for charcoal grilling, where you want a crusty exterior.
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For griddle cooking and pan-frying, thinner 3/4-inch patties allow the inside to cook through before the outside burns.
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To portion the meat quickly, use a scale or ring molds to shape consistent patties.
Season For Maximum Flavor
Seasoning is key for making your burgers memorable. Here are some ideas:
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Kosher salt and cracked black pepper are classic seasonings. Use liberally.
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Spice blends like smoked paprika, chili powder, or Italian seasoning add flavor.
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Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, or soy sauce enhance the meaty umami.
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Chopped fresh herbs, garlic, shallots, or onions mix right into the beef.
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For spicy burgers, add hot sauce, crushed red pepper, or minced chiles.
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Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce can also season the meat when mixed in.
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For extra richness, mix in a little melted butter or olive oil.
Bonus Tips
Here are a few more pointers for patty perfection:
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Avoid overworking the meat when mixing in seasonings. Use a delicate touch.
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Resist the urge to press down on the patties as they cook. Let them develop a nice crust.
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Brush the patties with oil or melted butter to help promote browning and flavor.
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Microwave onions and mushrooms for 1-2 minutes before sautéing to eliminate excess moisture.
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Toast buns on the grill or griddle while cooking burgers for extra flavor.
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Slice toasted buns horizontally before building burgers. This prevents them from getting soggy.
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Add cheese about 1 minute before burgers are done so it melts beautifully.
Cook Your Patties to Perfection
The cooking method makes a big difference in the final burger:
Grilling: Gets great char while rendering fat for juicy, beefy flavor. Use medium-high heat and flip every 2-3 minutes.
Griddling: Smash patties thin on a hot griddle or cast iron skillet. develops a crispy crust and juicy interior.
Pan-frying: Cook in a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Keep the pan hot to sear the surface while cooking through.
Oven: Bake at 400F on a wire rack set over a sheet pan to allow air circulation. Flip halfway through cooking.
Sous vide: Vacuum seal seasoned patties and cook in a water bath at 130F for medium-rare doneness. Quickly sear after.
Slow cooker: Simmer patties in barbecue sauce all day until fall-apart tender. Great for shredded beef sandwiches.
Mix Up Your Patty Game
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try getting creative with your patties:
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Stuff the center with cheese cubes or sliced peppers and onions for juicy bursts of flavor.
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Make an indentation and crack an egg inside while cooking for an instant breakfast burger.
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Mix in crumbled blue cheese, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy bacon bits for upscale burgers.
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Shape seasoned beef around a cheese-filled core for an oozing molten cheeseburger.
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Coat the outside of patties with crushed chips, peppercorns, or dehydrated onion flakes before cooking.
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Layer thinly sliced patties with Swiss cheese and sautéed onions for killer patty melts.
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Flavor beef with global spices like curry powder, harissa, or garam masala for exotic burgers.
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Substitute ground turkey, bison, lamb, or veggie crumbles for unique patty flavors.
So don’t be afraid to get creative and make gourmet patties that go beyond basic hamburgers! With high-quality beef and the right techniques, you can make memorable patties that will have everyone begging for seconds.
Ingredients for Making Ground Beef Patties for burgers:
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 egg. This is the burger binding agent (very important)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle or two more to coat each patty
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions for How to Make Ground Beef Patties for burgers:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 egg, and a generous amount of salt and pepper to season (half tsp each).
- Divide the well mixed beef into four equal round balls and form into patties. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with more salt and pepper on each side.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the patties and sauté for 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- Brown both sides and cook all the way through. Temp at 165 degrees for 15 seconds to make sure the ground meet is cooked all the way through. Serve immediately on a bun as a burger, with a side of homemade crispy french fries, or even on a salad as your portion of protein.
Note: I’ve shown an old-fashioned patty press here, which are starting to make a comeback. A silicone one in your favorite color can be purchased online or at your local kitchen supply for under $10.
How To Make The Perfect Hamburger Patty – Secrets And Tips
FAQ
How to form ground beef into patties?
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1. Divide and Shape:Divide the ground beef into equal portions based on the number of patties you want. Gently press each portion into a disk shape, about 1 inch thick.
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2. Create a Dimple:Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb or finger. This helps prevent the patties from puffing up too much during cooking and keeps them flat.
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Reddit · r/Cookinghttps://www.reddit.comBest way to make burger patties? : r/Cooking – RedditOct 28, 2023 — Make large thin patties that are at least 50% wider than your bun. They shrink and puff up during cooking, so you need to make them extra wide and t…
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Reddit · r/cookingforbeginnershttps://www.reddit.comHamburger from ground beef? Have no clue how to cook. – RedditSep 13, 2023 — And don’t overwork the meat. Form it into patties, and use your thumb to make a nice sized dimple/dent in the middle. Without the dimple the meat wi…
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The Kitchnhttps://www.thekitchn.comHow To Make Burgers (Easy Stovetop Method) – The KitchnDivide the ground beef. Divide the ground beef into 4 or 6 portions, depending on the number of burgers you would like to make. Shape the patties. Gently press …
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The Kitchnhttps://www.thekitchn.comThe Best Method for Shaping Burger Patties – The KitchnYou shape the beef into a thick disk shape and then make a wide and deep indentation in the middle of the patty. As the burger shrinks during cooking, the inden…
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3. Shape and Size:Pat the edges of the patty into a round shape, ensuring it’s slightly larger than your burger buns. This allows for shrinkage during cooking.
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4. Optional Binder:If you want to ensure the patties stay together well, you can add a binder such as an egg and breadcrumbs to the ground beef before forming them.
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5. Seasoning:Generously season the patties with salt and pepper before cooking, says The Kitchn.
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6. Cooking:Heat a pan or grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties in the hot pan or on the grill, leaving some space between them. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
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7. Flip and Cook:Flip the patties and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes.
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8. Check for Doneness:Use a meat thermometer to ensure the patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Do you mix egg with ground beef for burgers?
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MealProhttps://www.mealpro.netHow to Make Ground Beef Patties for Burgers Recipe – MealProJan 13, 2023 — Instructions for How to Make Ground Beef Patties for burgers: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 egg, and a generous amount of salt and pe…
How to keep ground beef patties from falling apart?
- Fat Content: Ground beef with a higher fat content (15% to 20% or even higher) is more likely to stay together during cooking. The fat contributes to the binding of the protein and helps prevent the patty from becoming too dry.
- Chuck: Chuck ground beef is a flavorful and well-suited choice for burgers.
How do you make a beef burger patty?
Place the beef mince, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce, if using, in large bowl. Use your hands to mix until just combined. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion with your hands into a patty about: 10cm in diameter and 1.5cm thick.
How do you make a burger patty with ground beef?
To make a burger patty with ground beef, start by adding the ground beef to a large mixing bowl. Break it up gently with hands or a spoon, then mix in the salt and pepper until integrated. Next, separate the burger meat into four 8-ounce patties, forming each into a ball and flattening them into disc shapes slightly larger than the burger buns.
How do you make beef patties?
To make beef patties, combine ground beef, sautéed onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Then, form the beef mixture into 6 fairly thin patties, about 5 inches in diameter.
Is ground beef suitable for burger patties?
Using ground beef in your burger patties is recommended. However, using ground beef that is too lean (95% or above) may not have enough fat content to stay together easily. This simple hamburger patty recipe is a good start as it doesn’t have many ingredients, which can help prevent the burger meat from falling apart.
What is the meat mixture for burger patties?
Ground beef consists of both lean meat and fat, which should stick together once pressed to form the burger patty. If the patties are overworked, the resulting hamburger will be dry and crumbly.
How do you grill ground beef patties?
To grill ground beef patties, place them on a preheated grill and cook for six to eight minutes per side. First, combine egg, salt, pepper, ground beef, and bread crumbs in a bowl, then form the mixture into ¾-inch patties. Ensure the beef’s temperature reaches at least 160°F before serving.
How do you form ground chuck into burger patties?
To make burger patties, divide ground chuck into 6 equal portions and form into ½ inch thick patties that are wider than the burger buns (they will shrink). Don’t over handle the meat. Touching the meat too much will make it tougher. Be very gentle shaping them, and be careful not to flatten them.