Its grilling time! Nothing better for a quick easy dinner then some delicious juicy hamburgers. Throw a pack of hot dogs on the grill along with the burgers, and dinner is ready to go! Here is a basic easy hamburger recipe for you to try with some flavour ideas to get those creative juices flowing!
If you do not feel like firing up the grill, this recipe still works great for pan-frying or an electric skillet as well. You can also make these patties ahead of time and freeze them, just make sure that you place a piece of parchment paper between each patty prior to freezing.
The possibility of flavours you can add to these patties are endless, so just remember to be creative!
Ingredients for Hamburgers:
- 3 lb. package of ground beef (makes approximately 12 burgers)
- Seasonings of choice
- 1 Cup of beer (1/2 cup for mixture and 1/2 cup for spraying down the hamburgers while grilling)
- Onions, tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mustard, cheese etc. (for your toppings after cooking)
Kitchen Utensils needed:
- Large bowl to mix the meat and flavors in
- Grilling spatula
- Spray bottle for beer (one that you have reserved for cooking only)
- Cookie tray
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Sharp knife for cutting up the onions and tomatoes, if you are adding those as toppings
- Cutting board
Prepare for the meal:
- Lay out your cookie tray with a layer of parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Preheat the grill to 350 – 400 F (we heat at 350 and cook burgers a little longer)
- Good time to cut up any toppings that you will be putting on top of your completed hamburger
Prepare the hamburger patty mixture:
- Open the ground beef and place in the bowl
- With both hands, fold the meat and squish it repeatedly (kneading) until the meat becomes solid
- The kneading should take about 7-8 minutes
- Sprinkle the seasoning and / or additional flavors (shredded cheese, bacon bits, chopped mushrooms etc) over the meat
- Pour 1/2 cup of beer into the meat mixture
- Knead the spices and beer with the meat for an additional 3-4 minutes
Prepare the hamburger patties:
Take a medium (bigger than a golf ball but smaller than a tennis ball) sized chunk of burger patty mixture and roll into a ball on your hand
The size of the ball will determine the patty size – the patties shrink in diameter a little during cooking so better to make them look a little too big rather than have them be too small!
- Flatten the ball between your hands so that the patty is about 1/2 inch thick
- Lay it on the prepared cookie tray
- Continue making patties until the patty mixture is gone.
Grill the burger patties:
Cooking time: Depends on how well done you like your burgers
- Place the patties on your preheated grill
- Let sizzle for about 3-4 minutes
- Flip the burgers over and spray a little beer in your spray bottle over the top
- Let the burgers cook for another 3-4 minutes
- Spray more beer on the burgers for moisture (also helps put out the flame up from the grease!)
- Flip the burgers again if you would like them well done
- Add cheese if you want on your burger
- Caution: Will be very hot and juicy!
Important notes for you:
Suggested cooking times for the desired temperature
Red centre: Medium-Rare
- 5 minutes per side
- Meat temperature 130 – 135 F
Pink Center: Medium
- 6 Minutes per side
- Meat temperature 140 – 145 F
Little to no pink Center: Medium-Well
- 7 Minutes per side
- Meat temperature 150 – 155 F
We spray the patties down with beer while cooking to help keep them moist as well as to add a little flavor, however, you do not need to do that.
Flavor addition idea:
To the burger mixture you can add:
Bacon bits and cheddar cheese (jalapenos if you want spicy)
Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper
Diced mushrooms, shredded mozzarella, fresh parsley
Your favorite pre-made grilling seasoning!
How do you like your burgers done?
What toppings do you like?
Your favorite pre-made grilling seasoning!
How do you like your burgers done?
What toppings do you like?