What makes a good burger?
Burgers - everyone loves em'. They're an American classic, a delicious pastime that brings joy to bellies of all ages, a trusty fav that pops up on dive bar menus and gourmet restaurants alike. But everyone's got a different opinion on what makes a burger great. Just ask a group of your friends what they get on their burger, and you're sure to get a ton of totally different, passionate answers. A quick google search will also get you a myriad of internet chefs telling you their method is the best. And there's no wrong answer, per se, but, like any good dish, there is a foundation to build from, an unshakable list of things that a burger must have to make it a mouth-watering, head-spinning delight.
Let's dig into all of the things that make a good burger good!
The best meat type and cooking temperature for a burger
Vegetarians (and those who opt for turkey burgers) - this section isn't for you, but for the red meat lovers out there, you'll wanna listen up! When making the critical decision of what meat to use for your burger, ground beef that is 80/20 or 75/25 is definitely the way to go (the first number stands for how lean the meat is, and the second stands for the fat content). These combos keep the meat juicy and tasty, and what else could anyone ask for when it comes to a burger?
Cooking temperature, though, is something that should be up to the burger-orderer! Some may like their steaks to bleed juices down their chin with each bite, while others don't want to see even a speck of pink. Whatever your go-to temperature is, it's totally up to you!
The ideal bun
What is the perfect bun? The bun is another part of the burger that depends on who's mouth it's going into. Some tend to lean into the more classic side of the spectrum, with sesame seed or potato buns as their go-to, but options for what to sandwich your patty between can be anything your little burger-loving heart desires. Some other bun favorites include ciabatta, pretzel, and Kaizer! No matter what bread you use, make sure it's fluffy and fresh!
Say, cheese!
Many will opt for the age-old tradition of American cheese or cheddar, but don't let that keep you from broadening your cheese horizons with other delicious options like pepper jack, provolone, swiss, you name it. If it's cheese, it probably belongs on a burger. But, no matter your cheese choice, one thing has to remain true: it must be melted perfectly on the patty.
FTW: Burger toppings
Any good burger is going to have delicious toppings to tie in all the flavor. Lettuce, tomato, and onion are a tried and true classic, so it only makes sense to incorporate at least one of these guys in your topping arsenal. Other honorable mentions include pickles, avocado, fried egg, onion rings, and bacon. Just make sure you chose toppings that mesh well together and with the patty - you don't want your toppings to outshine the meat!
Get saucy
Now, not everyone needs a sauce to accompany their burger, but for those looking to elevate the flavor, it's a perfect way to do so. From simple ketchup and thousand island concoctions to more fancy dressings like aioli, putting sauce on a burger can be beautiful. The same advice for toppings rings true for sauce, though: make sure it doesn't overpower your meat!
Lucky for you burger lovers out there, we have a beautifully crafted list of burgers that'll be sure to check off all your boxes. Stop in today to try em' out!
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