Easy ways to spice up your plain burger

The burger is a staple, so tasty, messy, full of protein and veggies (sometimes) and it hits the spot. And it’s the perfect meal for any weather. And some places just have the perfect burger. In-N-Out has a reputation for doing it right with onions, while others rely on truffles, exotic ingredients or handmade rolls. Restaurants have many resources, but at home you can use a few hacks to make your restaurant even better. Here are some easy ways to spice up your plain burger.

1. Cold hands

The heat from your hands “melts” the hamburger, creating a sticky mess that makes it a real challenge to make a killer patty. First, dip them in ice water and watch your patties shine!

2. Grate your onions

Don’t bother cutting those suckers open. Rub them directly into the hamburger. The onion juice blends well with the raw meat.

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3. Place a thumb on it

Place a thumbprint in the center of the patty to allow it to fill with flavorful juices as it cooks. It stays moist by evaporating its own delicious meat nectar.

4. Put an egg in it

So simple, but such a tip for success. Before cooking, cut out the center of a patty (a cookie cutter, mason jar lid, or cup works great) and crack an egg into the center, like Toad In the Hole, but with meat instead of bread.

4. Relax

Unlike a steak, which cooks best at room temperature, you should let your burger patties cool before cooking so that the fat stays solid like a stick of butter and doesn’t melt during cooking.

5. Do not cook frozen meat

Defrost a patty in minutes, just like you would a steak, by placing the sealed bag between a pot of water and a baking sheet. After it has thawed, place it in the refrigerator to cool (see #4). It is really that easy.

6. Make a cheese dog

Who says your hamburger has to be shaped like a patty? Press the meat into a rectangle, place some strips of cheese on top, roll it into a hot dog and serve it in a bun.

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7. Get fat

Avoid lean meat and replace it with fatty meat (the ratio should be around 80/20 – lean vs. fat) to ensure your burgers have flavor. If you’re really worried about calories (for example, you shouldn’t eat hamburgers), just make smaller patties. In the end you will feel happier anyway.

8. Don’t flip out

Patience, young Grasshopper. The burgers lose their juice if you keep flipping them. Try to limit yourself to a single shot. Otherwise, you risk a dry burger.

9. Spices are beautiful

Add some jalapeños, red bell peppers, hot peppers, or any other pepper to your raw burger mix to add a little extra heat to your hot grill.

Maybe tonight is the night you use these easy ways to spice up your plain burger. Good dinner!