Homemade Burgers – Why and How to Make Your Own

I have often wondered at the long queues of cars at McDonalds or similar, all waiting to buy a burger, when making homemade burgers can be so much better. Well, I recently watched the BBC’s very watchable “What are we feeding our kids” and think I now understand.

I had, long ago, realised that all the colourings, preservatives and other things that are added to fast foods and ready made dishes were certainly not good for children  (or, in fact, anyone!) but I hadn’t realised that they could be seriously addictive!  Addictive to the extent of creating new neural pathways in our brains which get stronger each time we eat the addictive food and then make us want to eat it again.

Happily, this problem can be solved if you just start eating home cooked foods instead of fast foods. For instance homemade burgers.

How to Make Homemade Burgers …

~ Get some fresh but not too lean minced beef – you want your burger to be juicy.
~ Divide it into portions the size you would like your burgers but treat the meat gently as
    overworking it will toughen them. I have always made 225g/8oz burgers both at home for
    my real man and when cooking professionally.
~ Heat a frying pan and grease lightly.
~ Season your burgers on both sides with salt and (optional) black pepper. The salt is
    important because not only does make the burger tasty it helps form a good crust on the
    meat.
~ Cook your burger till perfect by browning over medium high heat for 5 – 6 minutes for
    medium and 8 – 9 minutes for well done. then flip the burger onto its second side and cook
    for the same times again. It is not recommended to cook burgers less than medim – there
    should be no pink meat.
~ If you top your burger with something eg. bacon, real cheese etc. cover the pan briefly to
    heat and melt the topping or, even better if you can, pop the topped burger into a hot oven
    or under a hot grill for just a minute to heat briefly.
~ Serve in a burger bun (toasted or not, to your taste) with whatever you fancy such as
    mayonnaise, maybe deliciously flavoured mayo, BBQ sauce etc.

Do you want a dimple in the bottom?

~   They do say you should make a small depression in the burger on one side which,
      apparently, helps the burger cook evenly and stay flat.  I have never done this and always
      been happy with my burgers but you could give it a try.

7 important points for homemade burgers …

~   DON’T crowd the pan; if cooking more than one burger there must be space between them
      or they will steam rather than fry.
~   DON’T press or flatten burgers during cooking because this squeezes out the juices,
      compresses the meats and really irritates me!
~   If the meat seems stuck to the pan when you want to turn it wait a little while; once a good
      crust has formed it will release itself .
~   Only flip once.
~   When making a cheeseburger use real cheese of your choice, NOT processed cheese
      which is merely a cheese product containing about 50% real cheese plus all sorts of other
      ingredients which can include preservatives, food colouring, emulsifiers, and other artificial
      stuff that are bad for you and may be addictive.
~   As with all meat set aside to rest in a warm place for a few minutes before
      serving, this will make it more tender.   

5 Important Reasons why you should
Avoid Fast Food

Save money

Big Mac as an example

A Big Mac costs £5.09 at the time of writing, and comprises 90g ground beef (possibly and possibly not with additives), one white bun, some lettuce, a slice of processed cheese (or cheese product to be exact i.e. not real cheese).

versus …

Homemade Burgers

My homemade burger costs about £2.50 approximately, and comprises 225g ground beef, 2 rashers back bacon, a generous portion of lovely real Cheddar, a spoonful of freshly fried red onions, lettuce and baby plum tomatoes, white burger bun. These prices are approximate as it depends when you shop but see Trolley.co.uk for price comparisons.

Save time

As I mentioned above, if you have the ingredients, making a burger at home is so much quicker it takes about 15 minutes from taking the meat out of the packet (although longer if you also do chips).  The alternative is driving to, parking outside and queuing in a take away and then driving home. Not only that, your food is fresh from the stove so in prime condition

Be healthier

Eating a lot of fast food, seemingly, can seriously damage your health. See here for The (very worrying) Effects of Fast Food on the Body

Be happier!

I have read that eating fast food can make people depressed and not just because it is not quite what they wanted! In fact see here for 12 Weird (and not good) Effects Fast Food Has on Your Brain. Sorry if it scares you but that might be a good thing ultimately!

Personalise your Homemade Burgers

Season to taste i.e. your taste or just right for whoever you are making it for . Make your perfect burger (or other dish) with whatever seasonings or additions you fancy; spices, garlic, smoked salt, bits of crunchy bacon etc.

So, in short, cook your own real, fresh, cheaper, healthier and
more delicious food. Go for it!