How to Make Hamburger Patties Taste Better

Anyone can make hamburger patties, but not everyone is satisfied with their taste. Practicing the same recipe over and over again will not improve its taste. Upgrading your recipe with certain tips will result in a tastier patty. So, how to make hamburger patties taste better?

According to the amount of the hamburger, sprinkle appropriate amounts of seasonings with pepper and salt. Adding cheese in its center and using mixed herbs with different sauces will make it tastier. Flipping it in a healthy oil will also add to its taste.

So far it seems pretty easy, right? Yes, it is, but there’s more to it. Only adding the perfect seasonings and cheese, and using healthy oil will not make it taste better. There are some techniques as well that you need to follow. So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

How to Make Tastier Hamburger Patties?

To make hamburger patties taste better, you should start making them from scratch. Some factors are necessary to remember while making hamburger patties. 

Step 1: Choose hamburger meat with a fat ratio of 80:20

Burger patties taste better when they are juicy. The type of meat determines how juicy patties can get. Hence, use hamburger meat that is 80% lean consisting of 20% fat. 

High fat in the meat makes a moist burger with more flavor. In addition, cooking such meat for a long time will not make it firm.

Step 2: Mix the seasonings

After adding the seasonings to the hamburger, mix it gently with cold hands instead of using forks. Wet your hands to avoid meat sticking to your hands, and make sure to leave no chunks of seasonings in the mixture. 

Over mixing and tapping excessively it will only lead to a firm consistency. It will not be tender after cooking; as a result, it might become difficult to chew. 

Step 3: Add a delicious ingredient inside the patty

Who doesn’t like surprises? While giving a shape to your patty, insert a delicious item inside it or above it. It could include melted Mozzarella or Cheddar.

Simply tap the patty in its center and add the cheese. Next, roll the patty again to give it a shape and hide the ingredient.

Step 4: Cook the hamburger patty on high heat

Frying the patty on high heat makes the crust taste even better. The patty will not burn and become stiff as it will contain 20% fat. 

Additionally, use canola oil on a cast iron pan to cook the patty evenly. Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a light texture. It will not overwhelm the original taste of the patty. 

Tips for Making Tastier Hamburger Patties

Regardless of the type of hamburger meat or the oil used for making the patties, some tips will make it easier to have a different taste.

Tip 1: Make the patties an inch thick

For creating juicy burgers, make the patties ¾ to 1 inch. It will make the dough softer in the middle with a perfect crust, allowing it to be tender.

When cooking it, do not squeeze the thick patties with a spatula. They may break down or fall apart. It will also draw the juices out of the thick hamburger patties.

Tip 2: Add seasoning before frying the patty

Salt absorbs all kinds of juices and breaks down all the protein in the hamburger meat. Hence, do not sprinkle salt seasoning too early; it will eventually make the patty sticky and firm. 

Season it with salt and pepper on each side and toss it in high temperatures at around 400°F (204°C). The high heat lets the salt add a flavor and leave a golden crust.

Tip 3: Cook it at the right temperature and time

Cooking hamburger patties requires a specific oil temperature that has to be cooked for 7 to 8 minutes. The temperatures should be around 225 °F (107°C) to meet an internal temperature of 150 °F (65°C). It will make medium-rare patties that will be pink and juicy in the middle.

However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that the internal temperature should be around 160 °F (71°C) for health issues. It may make the patty medium-well cooked, but it will still taste wonderful. 

Tip 4: Store it in the refrigerator or place ice cubes on the patty

Before frying the hamburger patties, store them in the fridge for about an hour. It will help maintain its shape and keep the seasonings inside the patty locked.

If it isn’t possible to store it, place ice cubes on the patties while frying or grilling. The smoke formed over the pan will ensure locking its moisture. The fat and the seasonings also remain locked in the patty.

How to Season Hamburger Patties?

Before even touching the minced meat, you should prepare your seasoning. The seasoning should provide a complex mixture of sweet, spicy, salty, and zesty flavors. 

Every bite of the hamburger patty should be full of flavor. Seasoning a hamburger patty is a significant part as it enhances the internal taste of the patty.  

Add a bit of paprika to make it spicy and give it a reddish color. You might also want to add smoked paprika, it will add to a smoky flavor. 

Next, add ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt to the mixture. Using kosher salt not only makes it salty but also adds to its flavor. Thus, it is better than using table salt. Smooth out its flavor using onion and garlic powder; it will smell better than you think! 

To add a sweet flavor, use light brown sugar instead of white sugar. It will add a better taste and lock moisture in the hamburger patty. Lastly, use the mixture on both sides and cook the patties until they become fragrant. 

Optionally, you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice to add a sour punch to your hamburgers. It will also tenderize the meat, making it much more flavorful. 

3 Best Hamburger Seasoning Recipes

You may wonder how to make hamburger patties taste better using different flavors. Using the same recipe every time makes the hamburger patties taste boring. Sometimes, two to three flavors in each patty make a tasty burger. Or simply adding different flavors can do the same.

Tangy Hamburger Seasoning

To add a tangy taste to your burger, you need to add certain ingredients with the patty. Add a teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ cup parsley, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt with ½ teaspoon pepper. Then add ½ cup breadcrumbs and an egg to make it crispy. 

To make it taste perfectly tangy, pour 1/3 cup ketchup with 1/3 cup duck sauce into the mixture. You can still adjust its amount as per your taste preferences. 

Smokey Barbeque Hamburger Seasoning

A Smokey barbeque flavor in hamburger patties is mouthwatering. First, add two tablespoons of smoked paprika to the mixture. Using regular paprika will not add a smoked flavor. Next, add two cloves of garlic and three tablespoons of hickory-smoked barbecue sauce to the meat.

As usual, add salt and pepper to the seasoning mixture and combine all the ingredients properly. Adding three ounces of mozzarella or cheddar will enhance the smoky taste to another level.

Cajun Hamburger Seasoning

Cajun spicy blend will make hamburger patties much tastier. Use two tablespoons of paprika, two tablespoons of garlic powder, a tablespoon of kosher salt, and two teaspoons of cayenne in the mixture.

To add more flavor, add an appropriate amount of mixed herbs and thyme with two tablespoons of dried oregano. Finally, add two teaspoons of ground black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.