Donnas Seasoned Hamburger Patties Recipes

HAMBURGER RECIPE

Steps:

• Make burger seasoning by combining all spices in a bowl. Set aside.
• Divide ground chuck into 6 equal portions and gently from into 1/2 inch thick patties that are wider than the burger buns (as they will shrink). Use your thumb to press an indentation into the center of each patty. Cover and set aside.
• Preheat grill to medium high heat. Just before cooking, sprinkle seasoning over the patties, then place on hot grill, indent-side up. Close grill lid and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom of the burger is seared and juices are accumulating on top of the burger. Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the beef reaches 160 degrees F.
• Place cheese on burgers during the last minute of cooking. Remove to a plate and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving in a bun, with toppings.

HAMBURGER PATTIES

Steps:

• Mix ingredients and form into hamburger patties. Place on cookie sheets in two layers (with wax paper between) and freeze.

HOW TO SEASON HAMBURGER PATTIES

Steps:

• So I might be the last one on the planet to do it this way --
• In the past, I've seasoned hamburger patties on the grill -- while they were grilling. And while it works, it wasn't going to work for me last weekend when we were having a bunch of family over for dinner. I wanted to prep as much as I could ahead of time so that I could enjoy them while they were at our house, instead of running around my kitchen like a chicken without a head (sorry, bad visual!) -- so this is what happened.
• As I was getting everything out, I though, "Why not season the bottom of the cookie sheet first so that both sides of the patties can be grilled before they hit the grill?".
• So that's what I did. Sprinkle seasoning on the cookie sheet. Make patties and then put them on top of the seasoning and move around a little to "catch it all" and waste as little as possible. Sprinkle more on top and voila.
• Ready for the grill. (Or refrigerator, in my case -- as I was making them up early in the afternoon long before everyone arrived. This is what happens when there is a baby in the house -- you get stuff done while they are sleeping, even if that means making dinner at 2pm!).
• And while I didn't get all scientific about it, it seemed to me that the seasoning stuck to the burger better and less fell through into the grill!
• How about you? How do you season hamburger patties?

HAMBURGER PATTIES

Steps:

• Sometimes I vary the seasonings- using a steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning instead of salt and pepper.
• Mix ingredients with your hands using a light touch.
• Don't be tempted to overmix.
• If you do, it becomes too dense.
• When charcoal grilling, add 1/2 cup water to the beef mixture to keep it from drying out.
• For pan frying, don't use a nonstick pan- it won't brown as well, and heat some oil in the pan before adding burgers to keep the burgers from sticking and to help sear and form a nice brown, crispy exterior.
• Either method will take about 10- 12 minutes of cooking time, depending on thickness of patty, temperature of heat source and your preference (we like ours medium cooked).
• Note: when pan-frying don't be tempted to press down and squeeze all the juice out, just turn them more often (turn only once on the grill).