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How to Make Best-Ever Juicy Beef Burgers | Julia at Home

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Recipe Information

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Video-Specific Recipe

Beef Burger

Cultural Context

The beef burger has its roots in the United States, evolving from German immigrants' Hamburg steak in the 19th century. It quickly became a staple of American cuisine, symbolizing fast food culture and convenience. Today, variations abound globally, from gourmet versions with unique toppings to plant-based alternatives catering to diverse diets.

AmericanCAmain
30 min
easy
4 servings
Servings4
1 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound skirt steak
8 ounces sirloin steak tips
8 ounces short ribs
hot water (for tempering jar)
paper towels

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while American cheese is often cheaper.

burger buns

🥗Healthier: whole grain buns

💰Cheaper: white bread

Whole grain buns add fiber, while white bread is a budget-friendly option.

ketchup

🥗Healthier: sugar-free ketchup

💰Cheaper: homemade ketchup

Sugar-free options reduce calories, while homemade can be more economical.

1

Start by taking a cup of red wine vinegar and put it in a saucepan with 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

2

Bring the vinegar mixture to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar.

3

Slice a large red onion very thinly after cutting off the root and stem ends and peeling off the skin.

4

Place the sliced onions into a jar that has been tempered with hot water to prevent cracking.

5

Pour the boiling vinegar mixture over the onions in the jar and let it cool at room temperature for about an hour.

6

Trim off any large knobs of fat from the skirt steak, sirloin steak tips, and short ribs, leaving some fat for flavor.

7

Cut the meat into half-inch cubes to allow for even grinding in the food processor.

8

Place the cubed meat on a tray lined with paper towels to pat it dry before freezing.

9

Put the tray of meat in the freezer for about 40 minutes to firm up the outside without freezing it solid.

10

Once firm, grind the meat in a food processor in four batches, pulsing about 20 times until finely ground to about 1/16 inch.

11

Spread the ground meat on a clean sheet pan and check for any large chunks of fat or gristle to remove.

12

Gently handle the meat to shape it into four patties, each weighing 1/2 pound and about 3/4 inch thick.

13

Make a slight divot in the center of each patty to prevent puffing during cooking.

14

Cover the patties with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Cooking Techniques

grillingpan-frying

Equipment Needed

saucepanjarfood processortraypaper towels

Spice Level:

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Allergens

glutendairy

Also Known As

HamburgerBeef Patty Sandwich

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