Burgers, how do you do yours? (if you eat them)

I can tell whenever my protein intake is getting too low....my body starts to crave burgers or rotisserie chicken.....happens every time.
I like burgers, don't make them often, but plan to now that the body is giving off signals.
Your favorite method? (I don't have a grill) so I will be cooking on the stovetop....
I have some fresh tomato and I'll get lettuce...I have homemade pickles.
Your favorite toppings? Aldi sells good brioche buns.

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There are only two things I'm picky about when it comes to burgers: thickness and temperature. I want a patty so thin you can see through it like grandma's underpants, and I don't want it to go mooooooo when I bite into it.

Beyond that, I'm a cheese and mayonnaise-only kinda girl.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown
I haven't eaten meat in like 2 weeks. I go through these aversions every now and then. By when it is done I will want a steak (TRH is scheduled for next week) or a burger for sure. I like to go out and get a good burger from a bar type restaurant. I want lettuce, tomato, red onions, mayo and ketchup. Sometimes I will get blue cheese crumbles and onion straws. All depends on where I am. I like it good and bloody too. And it should be seasoned well. Yum.. I feel the aversion lifting.
I like to add a little salt, pepper and garlic powder to the meat. Even some minced onion and pepper. And maybe a little steak sauce or Worcestershire sauce. And then cook the patty a little crispy on the outside for that carmelized flavor.

I like to mix up the toppings. For variety I add fresh avacado, sauteed mushrooms, or pickled jalapenos. One of my favorites is to top my patty with a whole sauteed Portabello cap.
When hubby & I were at our State Park Cabin about a month ago, I cooked up some burgers. Didn't bring along my usual spices, so here's what I did and they came out delicious!
One pound ground chuck, salt & pepper to taste, chopped up about 1/4 of a large onion into small pieces, added about 1/4 cup ketchup, and since I didn't have any bread crumbs with me, added about 1/4 - 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese....and then....my secret ingredient, which I had never used before....about two tablespoons sugar-free maple-flavored pancake syrup (can't use the real thing, bc hubby has to watch his sugar intake...I'm sure it would be great, too!). Mixed it all up real good, and cooked them, and they were delicious!!
It's more expensive, but I usually buy the grass-fed burger patties from a local market. I season it with cracked black peppercorns and Kosher salt. I try not to use as much anymore. I cook it on top of a stove in a cast iron skillet with avocado oil (on the expensive side, but high smoke point and reduces burning). I look to get a good initial sear and then baste with a small amount of butter. Towards the end, I'll add rosemary.

After it's all done, one thing I did recently was char tomatoes and asparagus on the skillet after turning the stove off for a bit, but it can burn quick. For me, I try to keep it simple with amount of ingredients and preparation, but I'll sometimes add avocado slices and hot sauce. Once I start adding more toppings, it becomes a little too much for me.

Editing to add: Also, if you have a food thermometer, it really helps. I still use a pretty nice one, when Jack in the Box reimbursed for one a long time ago. Poking it in the middle and on the edges helps get you to the desired doneness.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2024 03:17PM by Okie.
In places where they call "Kraft Singles" cheese, I buy a hamburger with mustard, dill pickles, onions (grilled or raw), and tomatoes. I don't care one way or the other if they put ketchup on it, I'll eat it either way as long as it's not too sweet. In places where they use real cheese on their cheeseburgers, I'll have a cheeseburger with the same toppings.
I like a medium rare burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle, grilled onion and melted cheese. And a toasted bun.
My favorite is with Brie cheese, avocados and mushrooms. I like having two or three sliders instead of one burger. To me it’s more appetizing.
One of the local chains I shop regularly has a burger with a cream cheese/candied jalapeno spread. I have to say- it is delicious and I am not a jalapeno fan.
That sounds good. There's a nice burger restaurant/bar not too far from here that has a burger on the menu with truffle sauce and mushrooms....it's so much flavor, and the price is not any different from the other burgers on the menu. A friend of mine claims it's the best burger he's had in his whole life lol.
I just heard that McDonalds quarter pounders out west, Colorado? have been found to be contaminated with E Coli and someone died...yikes...
I am with moreled....I don't eat something claiming to be cheese that actually tastes like plastic.
I understand that Jimmy Buffet liked his with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french-fried potatoes.
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer
@BarefootBliss wrote:

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I just heard that McDonalds quarter pounders out west, Colorado? have been found to be contaminated with E Coli and someone died...yikes....


It is not the meat- it is the onions that are contaminated. In a former life, I worked with a food processor that sells burgers to McDonald's. They actually take samples every 15 minutes, test them, and store the results.( My company sold them the storage equipment for this.) I have toured the plant.
yes, heard they have narrowed it down.....there have been several different outbreaks reported this week in various locations....mostly meats or fresh, uncooked vegetables.
Our food chain is...questionable
@BarefootBliss wrote:

yes, heard they have narrowed it down.....there have been several different outbreaks reported this week in various locations, not just McDs, Trader Joes and others....mostly meats or fresh, uncooked vegetables.
Our food chain is...questionable
Regardless of how I choose to top, lettuce is huge no-no on burgers, or any other hot food for that matter. No nutritional value whatsoever AND slimy? No thanks. I also avoid it on almost all other sandwiches, FWIW, with the exception of Jersey Mike's cold subs. I'm weird that way, among many others.

If I had to choose one prep above all others I'd go with crumbled bleu cheese, bacon/onion jam, and a nice slice of beefsteak tomato. I prefer my patty on the rare side if I can get it.

Just looked up what used to be my fave restaurant version of said prep (Breakside Brewing in Portland, OR) and they've changed the recipe. BOO!

Have synthesizers, will travel...
i actually have had good experience microwaving the premade ones from dollar general or family dollar. they are seasoned well and cheap. two patties on 5 minutes of defrost. more if needed. you have to cover them and drain the grease from time to time. i also pick up the kraft cheese slices. they really melt the best. i only have a microwave during my weekend security job. i do 12 hour shifts so its much cheaper than getting door dash.

shopping north west PA and south west ny
So funny how people differ so much on meat preferences.
My family went for prime rib on Saturday (birthday dinner) and while the other two did medium-rare which was perfectly nice, I asked for RARE and got just what I wanted. It barely looked cooked and was definitely cool in the middle.
But then I am one of those who can eat raw meat (steak tartare omg ...) LOL.
I rarely cook burgers but, for me, it's charcoal grills for sure. I have multiple charcoal grills and love using them every week unless the weather or my health gets in the way. My favorite toppings are goat/blue/Swiss cheese, smoked gouda, grilled/fried mushrooms, and raw onions/tomatoes. I don't like lettuce as a topping.

If I am using regular ground beef or lamb, I cook the patties medium rare. If it is buffalo or prime beef, I like it rare. I am meh on salmon burgers and dislike turkey burgers. I have only had ostrich burgers in restaurants and did not like them enough to try cooking them at home.
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