Quarter Pound Burgers Recipes

QUARTER POUNDER DINER BURGER RECIPE

Steps:

• Prep. Place the meat in a large mixing bowl. If you are grinding the meat yourself, use the smaller holes on your grinder, or grind the meat twice so that the burgers are compact and hold together well.
• Mix in the mix-ins in a bowl using a fork or your hands. Pack the meat into a ball about 2-inches across. A #8 ice cream scoop is 2.75-inches and, when leveled, holds just about four ounces, a perfect quarter pounder. Use a scoop or a kitchen scale or a ruler until you can make the right size balls blindfolded. Then put them in the fridge for about 20 minutes before cooking so the center does not cook as quickly.
• Fire up. Preheat a cast iron griddle or heavy frying pan to about at least 350°F, as hot as you can get it. We want it well above 300 to 310°F, the temp at which Maillard browning happens.
• Cook. Add 1 teaspoon of butter per bun to the griddle. It will foam quickly, so spread it out evenly over the surface, place the buns, cut-side down into the butter, press them down with the spatula and put a dinner plate on top of them so they make good contact with the surface, and cook until the bread turns golden. Yes, the tops will be smushed, but the butter will brown and get a nutty taste, and the edges of the buns should be extra crispy. Then remove the buns and wipe the griddle with a paper towel.
• Melt some beef fat, bacon fat, or pour some vegetable oil on the griddle. You want just a thin coat. Do not use butter. It has too much water in it. When it begins to smoke, add the burger balls, and press down with a solid spatula so there is good contact between the meat and the surface and so the edges are jagged. A slotted spatula will not do the job. You need to smash the burger soon after the patty goes on, and not again until you flip. We don't want to squeeze out hot juices. After smashing, quickly work the spatula or a spoon along the edges, pressing down so they are ragged, thin, and make good contact with the surface. We're going for brown edges here. Sprinkle the top side with salt. Leave the lid open and back away. Don't touch the burgers for about 3 minutes. Maybe 5 minutes, depending on how hot your pan gets. You want them in intimate contact with the surface. Also, you need two spatulas, one to smash the raw meat, and a clean one to flip and serve.
• Now it will take you a couple of tries to know exactly when to flip, so at first you may have to peek. The bottoms should be dark brown. If they are, gently work a clean spatula under the burgers, pressing on the griddle to make sure you don't leave brown bits behind and that they don't break apart. I sharpen my spatula on a grinder to make sure the egdes don't leave brown bits behind. Flip the burgers and press them into into max contact with the surface but not so hard that you squeeze out vital fluids. Leave the juices in the meat. No need to salt if you salted the other side. If you are making a cheeseburger, place the cheese on now and close the lid on the grill. If you are working indoors, place a mixing bowl, pie pan, pot, or disposable aluminum pan over the burgers to speed the melting of the cheese. Check the color of the bottom after 2 minutes. Don't take them off until the surface is right, even if you fear the interior is overcooking. If you got 20 to 30% fat meat and you didn't cook too hot, they'll be juicy.
• Serve. Once they are fully cooked, place each patty on a bun along with onion and lettuce, then dress with Meathead's burger glop before serving.

PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
• IF USING A GRILL: Heat a gas grill to high or heat coals in a charcoal grill until they glow bright orange and ash over. Brush the burgers with the oil. Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese; see step 3) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• IF USING A GRILL PAN: Heat a grill pan over high heat on top of the stove. Cook the burgers as for a grill, above.
• IF USING A SAUTE PAN OR GRIDDLE (PREFERABLY CAST IRON): Heat the oil in the pan or griddle over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• Add the cheese, if using, to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking and top with a basting cover, close the grill cover, or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese.
• Sandwich the hot burgers between the buns and serve immediately.

QUARTER POUND BURGERS

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine all ingredients, except oil. Mix well and shape into 4 uniform patties.
• In large non-stick skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add patties; cook 3 to 4 minutes per side. Alternatively, grill over medium-high heat on barbecue or under broiler.
• Serve on toasted whole grain rolls with your favourite condiments.
• Burgers will hold together better if chilled before cooking.
• VARIATION: Add 2 ml (1/2 tsp) each: dried basil and dried oregano. Top with mozzarella cheese.
• VARIATION - Add 125 g (4 oz) old Cheddar cheese cut into tiny cubes

BUBBA'S QUARTER POUND BURGERS

Steps:

• Throw everything in a large bowl, and mix together. I like to wear disposable vinyl gloves so that I can really get in there and mush it up without having to worry about cleaning my hands.
• Using the 1/3 cup measure, scoop out the mixture and form into patties.
• At this point, you can either wrap for the freezer, or refrigerate until ready to grill. Chilled burgers are easier to manage on the grill, and won't fall apart.
• Preheat the BBQ to the Medium setting. Grill burger for 5 minutes on each side.
• *NOTE* This mixture will yield 7 burgers. Even though there are only the two of us, I cook them all at the same time. What isn't eaten is wrapped and put in the fridge for the next day. The best way to reheat, is in the microwave. Cover in plastic wrap and heat for 4 minutes at 50% power. They get nice and hot without drying up or turning to rubber. Tastes like it came right off the BBQ.
• I hope you enjoy these as much as we did.

JUICY QUARTER POUNDER BURGERS

Steps:

• Pre-heat broiler to 500°F.
• In a large bowl add all the burger ingredients together (except the buns).
• Mix well, (don't be afraid to use your hands, just make sure you wash them well before and after mixing).
• Divide your mixture into 4 equal parts. (i use a scale to make sure the meat is divided equally).
• Shape each of the 4 pieces of meat into burger pates.
• Make the pates thicker at the edges and thinner in the centre, since burgers tend to get rounder and thicker at the centre when you cook them. This way they come out flat once cooked.
• If you are going to grill the burgers it helps if they are frozen first so they don't crumble.
• Place the pates on a baking sheet lined with foil (to help with cleaning).
• Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 16 minutes turning half way threw.
• In a skillet add a little oil (which ever kind you like cooking with).
• Once the oil is hot add the mushrooms.
• Add the minced garlic, salt and Italian seasoning to the mushrooms.
• Stir the mushrooms often, so they are cooked evenly.
• Once the mushrooms are cooked and browned remove them from the skillet.
• One the bottom buns of the burgers spread some mayo.
• Once the burger is cooked add the burger to the bottom bun.
• Then add a zigzag of ketchup to each burger.
• Layer the mushrooms on top of that then the top bun.
• Serve with a side of coleslaw, pickle and backed potato or fries.

AIR FRYER QUARTER-POUND BEEF BURGERS & FRIES

Steps:

• Combine beef, Worcestershire, garlic powder and salt in a bowl; gently mix with a fork, just until combined (careful not to over-mix). Form the beef into 2 equal patties, about ¾-inch (2 cm) thick. Place on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in the fridge until ready to cook (for up to up to 24 hours).
• Meanwhile, cut the potato lengthwise into ¼-inch (0.5 cm) thick fries. Submerge in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes.
• Place beef patties in the air fryer basket. Set temperature to 400°F (200°C) and set time for 12 minutes. Cook burgers until a digital instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into centre of each burger reads 160°F (71°C).
• Meanwhile, drain the potatoes and dry thoroughly with a lint-free towel. Toss potatoes with oil and salt in a bowl. Set aside
• Remove burgers from air fryer, place on a plate and tent with foil. Set aside.
• Arrange fries in the air fryer basket, in no more than two layers at a time. Set temperature to 400°F (200°C) and set time for 15 minutes. Cook fries, shaking the basket half-way through the cooking time, until crisp on the outside and potatoes are tender.
• Serve burgers on buns garnished with desired condiments with Fries on the side.

QUICK QUARTER-POUNDERS

Steps:

• Mix together the minced beef and enough beaten egg to bind it together, seasoning with salt and pepper. Divide the mince into four, shaping and pressing each into a burger. Heat a grill pan or the grill. Brush the burgers with the oil and cook for 6-7 mins on each side (using a baking tray if beneath the grill) for medium.
• Meanwhile, cut the cucumber into thick slices. Put the slices in a bowl and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Add a small splash of malt vinegar and mix well. Stir together the mayonnaise and the chosen mustard.
• Present the burgers on the tomato slices, topping with the mustard mayonnaise, cucumber slices and onion rings. Finish with the burger on an iceberg leaf, topping with another leaf, if you prefer.