20 easy ways to make your burgers even better using things you already have in your kitchen

Thousand Island dressing adds tanginess to a classic cheeseburger.The Image Party/ShutterstockGrinding your own meat allows you to customize how lean or fatty your burger is.Blue cheese, grilled pineapple, or avocado will add a lot of flavor to a classic hamburger.Many, if not all, of these ingredients can already be found in your kitchen.When it comes to crafting the perfect burger, you don't have to stick with basic cheese, lettuce, and tomato.You also don't need to spend a fortune to upgrade your burger to something that's restaurant-quality.Plenty of kitchen staples, from onions to eggs, can boost flavor, add texture, and elevate your burgers without any extra trips to the grocery store."You just have to think about what works with what," Hugh Acheson, a judge on "Top Chef" and a competitor on Iron Chef Canada, told Business Insider of combining flavors to make delicious burgers."Food should be like a big Lego set, and how you put together the blocks can build umpteen different things. The more skills you have and the more understanding of food you have, the more Lego blocks you have."Here are 20 ways to make your burgers even better using things you already have in your kitchen.Grinding your own meat is a way to ensure you're getting high-quality ground meat for your burgers.A person grinding meat.Image Source/Getty ImagesThe only way to guarantee you're getting the best-tasting meat is to ask the butcher in your local shop or grocery store to grind your desired cut for you or grind it yourself at home using a food processor.Ground beef chuck is one meat many burger lovers prefer to use since it ranges from 15 to 20% fat.Add bacon bits to your ground beef.Bacon.Nataliya Arzamasova/ShutterstockAdding bacon to your burgers can seriously up the flavor. If your burger patties are on the thicker side, you should cook the bacon before adding it to the meat to ensure you don't eat any undercooked bacon.If your patties are thinner or smash-burger-style, it's OK to leave the bacon raw as long as you make sure it's all properly cooked before eating.You can also add vegetables like mushrooms.Chopping mushrooms.iStockAcheson told BI that mushrooms and onions make delicious additions to burger meat."You don't always have to use beef either," Acheson said. "I make this pulverized mushroom and lamb burger that tastes very woodsy and gamey."Worcestershire sauce adds tang to beef.Worcestershire sauce.kazoka/Shutterstock"I love the flavor bomb that is Worcestershire sauce," Acheson said. "Balancing that with a little olive oil is just going to add a little more fat and texture to meat when it hits the grill, and help prevent it from sticking."This sauce can be added directly to ground meat to make burger patties more moist and flavorful.Minced garlic also adds a lot of flavor to beef.Garlic cloves.ShutterstockCrushed or minced garlic can easily be mixed into ground beef, pork, or even turkey before being cooked on the grill, and adds savory flavor. Using a high-quality bun can also make all the difference.A burger and fries.Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesFor slightly more texture, opt for a sesame-seed bun, often a summer pantry staple. However, for a softer yet still flavorful bun, butter a brioche bun, toast or grill it, and serve it with your burger.You can also try out other alternative buns like potato rolls or even a toasted bagel.A quick aioli or special sauce makes a great addition to burgers.Special sauce.Paul_Brighton/Shutterstock"A really simple and delicious special sauce is creme fraîche, mayonnaise, a dash of maple syrup, and a little bit of ketchup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice all blended up," Acheson said."Having a special sauce in your arsenal is really important."Thousand Island dressing is another way to kick up the flavor profile of a classic cheeseburger.A double cheeseburger with Thousand Island dressing.The Image Party/ShutterstockIf you want to add a little creamy, tangy flavor to a cheeseburger, dollop some Thousand Island dressing on top. Thousand Island is made from a base of three popular burger condiments: mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish.Adding toppings like shredded lettuce or crunchy pickle slices can also recreate the same flavor profile as a classic Big Mac. Blue cheese will also bring a burst of flavor.A burger with blue cheese and arugula.Anastasia Izofatova/ShutterstockTopping a burger with some blue cheese crumbles is a recipe for success, Acheson said.Top your burgers with peanut butter, or mix it directly into the ground beef.Peanut butter.ShutterstockSome burger lovers swear by peanut butter. While this creamy, flavorful addition can, of course, be smeared on top of your patties, it can also be added directly to the meat itself.Taste of Home reported that adding a spoonful of peanut butter to ground meat can keep your burgers juicy, thanks to the oil in the spread.Melt some garlic butter on top.Garlic butter.Elfgradost/ShutterstockSimple garlic butter can be whipped up in just a few minutes.You can either butter your buns with it before grilling them or drizzle it on the cooked burger patties themselves for a flavor boost.Onions are a staple and can be either added as toppings or mixed into the burger meat.A person chopping onions.iStock"Onions are a staple that everyone's got around," Acheson said. "You can slow cook them, caramelize them, sweeten them with a little maple syrup or soy sauce, and cook them into a sort of onion jam."Avocado slices make a great addition to burgers.Avocado.MSPhotographic/ShutterstockAvocado adds creaminess to a burger without the thick texture of mayonnaise or aioli.Arugula adds freshness and a peppery flavor to your burger.A burger with arugula.aleksandr talancev/ShutterstockUnlike other leafy greens, arugula has a peppery flavor. Plus, you'll likely enjoy the layer of crunchy texture that adding greens provides.Grilled pineapple slices or fresh pineapple salsa add a tropical, citrusy flavor.Hamburger with grilled pineapple.Rus32/Getty ImagesIf you happen to have a can of pineapple or pineapple slices lying around, they can make delicious burger toppings. A quick pineapple salsa with red onion and cilantro is easy to make and packs a lot of flavor.Adding a fried egg takes any burger to the next level.A burger topped with a fried egg.Polupoltinov/ShutterstockAdding a fried egg ups the protein level and the flavor of any burger. When you bite or cut into the burger, the runny egg yolk acts almost like a sauce.To really make this brunch-ready burger pop, add bacon, special sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.Pickled onions add a sour tang to burgers, and they are easy to prepare.Pickled red onion.DPRM/ShutterstockPickled onions are easier to make than many home cooks might think, but they add some serious flavor to any burger.Bon Appetit's recipe for quick-pickled onions involves leaving thinly sliced red onion in a jar with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and kosher salt for at least one hour. Then, simply drain the onions and add them to your burger.Leftover pulled pork can add extra meatiness to a classic burger.Burger with pulled pork.LauriPatterson/Getty ImagesIf you have some leftover pulled pork in your fridge, don't be afraid to add a little to your burger. Not only will this topping add tons of flavor and satisfy any barbecue craving, but the added protein also ensures you won't leave the barbecue hungry.You could also whip up some boxed mac and cheese to add to your burger.A burger topped with mac and cheese.INSIDERNo burger topping is arguably as creamy and decadent as mac and cheese. While homemade mac and cheese may be ideal, don't be afraid to whip up a quick box of whatever boxed mac and cheese you have in your cabinets.One final cooking tip: Using the whole grill can make sure your burgers are cooked perfectly.Burgers on a grill.iStock"You want high heat, but use the whole of the grill," Acheson said. "The grill should have two different temperature zones — one lower and one higher. You're trying to get a good crust, a good Maillard reaction from that protein on the hot side, and getting good grill marks. Then move it over to the lower side to make sure you've reached the right temperature."Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Elon Musk will do a 'lot less' political spending in the future

washington times

Comments

Similar News

Shoe Zone shares fall 20% with huge losses unveiled

Asda to sell off 20 supermarket stores to raise £400million

20 vacation hot spots where short-term rental prices surge in the busy season &mdash; and how to avoid the markup

20 people, health care business and church charged in sober living scheme in Arizona

20 vintage photos show what life was like in America's small towns 100 years ago

Tuesday, May 20. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine

Rachel Reeves says £20,000 annual Isa limit will stay

B&M shoppers rush to buy stylish home furniture scanning at just £20 instead of £200

Affiniti’s 20- and 22-year-old founders raise $17M led by SignalFire just 6 months after an $11M seed

Chancellor says Isa allowance WON'T be cut from £20,000 but door left open for changes to cash Isas

Honda plans a $20 billion pivot to hybrids as EV sales slow

Major update on £20,000 cash ISA limit being cut as Rachel Reeves issues statement

Rachel Reeves update on '£20,000 ISA axe' but BBC expert says cash ISA still under threat

The 20 highest-paying jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree

FTSE 100 Live 20 May: Greggs trading improves, Vodafone backs growth outlook

Amazon teeth whitening strips with over 1,800 five stars now under £20 for a few hours

Instagram is offering creators up to $20,000 to bring people to the app

DWP benefits warning as claimants must report any of 20 changes

You can get three full-size Ghost perfumes for £20 today in scent bundle worth £84

Verizon ends DEI policies to get FCC's blessing for its $20 billion Frontier deal

Business News

Elon Musk will do a 'lot less' political spending in the future

U.K.'s Starmer suggests that a policy which denied retirees fuel subsidies will be changed

U.S. stocks drift lower as mixed profit reports from retailers and higher Treasury yields weigh

House Freedom Caucus pushes GOP leaders to delay vote on Trump agenda

Bitcoin hits new price highs as crypto industry scores wins

What to know about the US Senate's effort to block vehicle-emission rules in California

Tariffs, inflation and leery customers are hitting retailers in different ways

DWP makes change to Universal Credit payments at midnight on Friday

What does surprise inflation surge mean for interest rates?

Harvey Nichols could scrap its luxury hampers in bid to cut costs

FTSE 100 treads water after UK inflation jump

Co-op cyber attack: What happened and when will shops be back to normal?

Elon Musk rips Bill Gates over Epstein ties: ‘I wouldn’t trust that guy to baby-sit my kids’

Boeing finally speeds up pace of 737 MAX production following last year’s mid-air panel blowout

Lidl is selling a gardening gadget for £30 less than The Range – it makes a perfect Father’s Day gift

Nostalgic alcoholic drink to return to supermarkets this summer after being discontinued

Iconic city centre venue where BBC legends once starred ‘to be demolished’ after 110 years

World’s OLDEST bungalow in UK seaside village sees price slashed by £750,000

How might Starmer make more pensioners eligible for the winter fuel payment?

‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning’ Is The Worst-Reviewed MI In 19 Years

Arcana Labs To Debut AI-Produced Thriller ‘Echo Hunter’

Mariah Carey’s ‘Christmas’ Is A Hit Again — Even Though It’s May

England Cricket Should Beat Zimbabwe, But Needs To Win Over Fans

Lady Gaga Is One Step Away From Her EGOT

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court To Prevent DOGE Records From Being Released

What Happened To Arcade Fire’s New Album?

Roger Penske Lowers The Boom On Indy 500 Cheating Scandal

Why I’m Confident Oil Is Here To Stay

Gen Z Wants Real-Life Experiences—This New Agency Helps Brands Deliver

Selena Gomez Has Finally Been Pushed From The No. 1 Spot

Why Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon Is Being Unfairly Criticized

Lowe’s Scales And Optimizes Its Online Marketplace For Vendors And Customers

How To Frac A Modern Shale Well And Boost Capital Efficiency

Bitcoin Hits All-Time High Of Over $109K Amid Crypto Rally

What Time Is The ‘Survivor’ Season 48 Finale—And How Long Will It Last?

Joe Jonas Earns His First Hit Apart From His Brothers On One Chart

InnovationRx: FDA Will Limit Covid-19 Vaccines To Those Over 65 Or At High Risk

Jamie Vardy Proves Failure Can Be Good For Business

Defense companies position themselves for piece of Golden Dome

Raytheon delivers advanced radar to U.S. for tracking hypersonic threats

Target says it can adapt and offset tariff costs, is reducing reliance on China

Lloyds launches new current account offering over £100 worth of monthly benefits

Smart meters verdict – why suppliers love them and whether they're worth it

Luxury hotel brand joins forces with Scotland’s overnight sleeper train

Underserved city neighbourhood to get first 'high quality' grocery store

Popular 'cornerstone of bustling street' bar brought to market

Jobs at risk as Harvey Nichols considers axing hampers and own-brand food

Target slashes outlook after tariffs, DEI boycotts slam sales: ‘We’re not satisfied with these results’

Corona beer dupe being sold for just £1 a bottle by major bargain supermarket – just in time for Father’s Day

Thousands of households to be handed supermarket vouchers worth up to £150 in DAYS – are you eligible?

Disturbed’s New Single Matches One Of The Band’s Biggest Hits

‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2 Cast Talk Mental Health And Treatment

Kid Cudi Will Testify In Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial—Allegations Diddy Firebombed His Car, Explained

Target Says Sales Will Decline Amid Tariffs—Joining These Companies Warning Of Tariff Impacts

Vampire Hit ‘Sinners’ Gets Digital Streaming Date, Report Says

Inside Kyle Larson’s Second Historic Attempt At The Double

Bruce Springsteen’s New Surprise Release Is A Quick Strong Seller

20 vacation hot spots where short-term rental prices surge in the busy season — and how to avoid the markup