Because they contain a lot of fat, burgers are usually difficult to grill. However, you can cook them quickly and deliciously in the kitchen using a frying pan. Start by making a patty (meat that is formed into rounds and flats), then cook the meat in a skillet over high heat until a crust appears on both sides. Serve burgers with toast and your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
- 700 grams ground beef
- Salt
- 4 pieces of bread
- Cheese (optional)
- Toppings (optional)
Makes 4 servings
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making a Patty
Step 1. Buy beef with a meat-to-fat ratio of about 80/20
If the fat content is too little, the beef will not cook properly for a burger. Do not use meat that exceeds 90 percent. If you want to reduce the amount of fat, choose beef in an 85/15 ratio (85% meat, and 15% fat), but an 80/20 ratio is a good option.
To get the best quality, try to buy freshly ground beef
Step 2. Make patties weighing 170 grams each
If possible, use a kitchen scale so you can measure it quickly. If you don't have a scale, estimate the size based on the amount of meat present.
For example, if you have 700 grams of meat, you can make 4 servings
Step 3. Make the patty as soft as possible
The neater the patty you make, the softer the meat will be. Make a loose patty as quickly as possible before you make a new one. To make a patty, form the meat into a ball, then flatten it out.
You don't need to pound or knead the patty as this can make the meat tough
Step 4. Press the center of the patty to form an indentation
Patties will usually bubble in the middle as they cook. To fix this, press down on the center of the patty with your thumb to make an indentation.
However, skip this step if you like a puffy patty in the middle
Step 5. Put the patty in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes
Cover the patty, and let it cool. By refrigerating it, the patty will stick together as you cook it, and the center won't cook too quickly.
Do not place the patty at room temperature because it can make bacteria grow and thrive there
Part 2 of 3: Putting Patty in the Pan
Step 1. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat
Place the skillet on the stove and turn it on over high heat. Let the pan heat up before adding the burgers. To see if the pan is hot, try sprinkling water. If the water sizzles, the pan is hot enough.
You can also use a toaster or other type of skillet, but a cast iron skillet will do a better job of crusting
Step 2. Sprinkle salt on the patty just before you cook it
The salt will draw out the moisture in the patty if you sprinkle it long before cooking. And this cannot happen. Sprinkle salt on the outside of the patty just before you cook it in the skillet so the moisture doesn't evaporate off.
If desired, add a little pepper or mixed spices, such as salt that has been mixed with spices
Step 3. Place the patty into the hot skillet
Gently place all the patties into the pan. Make sure there's no fat popping as you do this. The patty will sizzle once you put it in the pan, and will form an unsightly crust.
If you have one, you can place a gauze cover to avoid splattering fat from the pan
Part 3 of 3: Cooking Patty
Step 1. Flip the patty after 2-4 minutes
On high heat, the first side of the meat will cook in a few minutes. When you turn it over, the cooked side will have an eye-catching golden brown crust. Even if you like a patty that is undercooked or medium, it should have a crust on the outside.
Flip the patty using a thin spatula. A thin spatula can easily be tucked under a burnt crust
Step 2. Cook the patty for no more than 10 minutes
Patty will be fully cooked 10 minutes later. If you want medium-rare or medium-rare meat, reduce the cooking time.
Check the temperature by plugging in a meat thermometer from the side. The ground beef is fully cooked at 70 °C. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) recommends that ground beef be cooked to this temperature
Step 3. Push the loose pieces of meat back into the patty
Sometimes there is a piece of meat that comes off the patty. If this is the case, use a spatula to return it to the patty. This way, the pieces will come back together after you've cooked them for a few minutes.
It's a good idea to add cheese at the end to keep the patty together
Step 4. Add cheese at the last minute of cooking
If you want to add cheese, place the cheese slices on the patty at the end of cooking. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to reflect the heat to allow the cheese to melt.
- The hamburger goes well with a wide variety of cheeses. You can use American cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterrey jack, Gouda, blue cheese, or Swiss cheese.
- Adding a little water to the pan can be useful. The water will turn to steam when the pan is closed, which will help melt the cheese.
Step 5. Remove the patty from the pan and serve
Use a spatula to remove the patty from the pan. Place the meat on a plate, or place it directly on the toast. Add the desired ingredients, and enjoy your hamburger!
- You can add some ingredients, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or barbecue sauce.
- For toppings, try using raw shallots, roasted shallots, tomatoes, lettuce, grilled mushrooms, cooked bacon, or sliced avocado.
