We’re pleased to announce that it’s National Burger Day here in the UK.
On the last Thursday before the Bank Holiday, the festivity aims to celebrate the fast food staple. While some will be heading out to their favourite food joints, others will be whipping burgers up at home.
But before you turn your hob on and start cooking, there are some warnings we have for you. Gordon Ramsay has shared the common mistakes that home cooks make when preparing burgers.
Gordon has several burger restaurants, known as Gordon Ramsay Burger. These establishments can be found in plenty of luxurious locations – from Las Vegas to Harrods department store in London – so he definitely knows what he’s talking about.
He’s also racked up millions of views on YouTube by showing his methods for cooking the signature dish. So if you do want to replicate them at home, you can do.
Check out what the celebrity chef describes as his “perfect” burger recipe below – along with the pitfalls that many fall into…
1. Not using a variety of meat
Want to make your burgers burst with flavour? You should buy good quality meat – and make sure to mix several different cuts together too.
Gordon adds chuck to keep the patties juicy, as well as ground beef and brisket.
The chef said: “The secret to the perfect burger is a blend. We’ve got chuck, ground beef and a little bit of brisket.”
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2. Not giving them enough time to set up
For perfectly formed and firmed burgers, Gordon leaves them to set overnight. He also makes sure to season the patties in advance.
The Hell’s Kitchen star explained: “First things first, season it. Then bind it together with a bit of egg, which sticks them together.
“Try and get it done the day before and set them in the fridge so they stay nice and firm. That way they don’t fall apart when you get them on the grill.”
3. Breaking the burger up
To prevent the burger from breaking up, make sure you oil up your grill to prevent sticking. Then when the patties are cooking, resist the urge to prod at them with your spatula.
Once the meat is cooked on one side, flip it and leave it be until you’re ready to serve. Gordon added: “The more you move it, the more chance you’ve got of breaking the burger.”
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4. Not toasting the buns
No one likes a soggy burger – and it’s one of Gordon’s pet peeves. Make sure to toast your buns to prevent everything from tasting mushy.
The chef explained: “Why do we toast the buns? Because there’s nothing worse than a soggy bun. If you toast the bun it gets nice and crisp and protects the burger.”
5. Forgetting to add butter
Your burgers may look anaemic if you don’t coat them in butter. Taking this extra step makes everything taste rich and more delicious too.
Gordon said: “Now at my burger restaurant in Las Vegas, we baste the burgers with Devonshire butter. Today, we’re going to lightly brush a bit of butter onto the burgers.
“The flame caramelises the butter and puts this wonderful colour on top. It makes the burgers so tasty.”
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6. Not seasoning enough
Every chef will tell you that seasoning is paramount. It helps to enhance flavour and should give your dishes a better balance.
Gordon added: “Lightly season them on the grill from a distance The first part of the seasoning is before you’ve cooked, the second part is literally before you’ve taken them off.
“It’s really important – season, season, season, season.”
Et voila!
Once you’ve got these basic patty rules covered, you can assemble your burger. In his YouTube video, Gordon packs grilled onion, lettuce and mustard into his buns.
Filling possibilities are endless – from avocado to bacon and cheese. So be sure to bear these pointers in mind next time you’re cooking the fast food favourite.