How to Keep Burgers Moist: the DIY Trick for Perfectly Juicy Burgers Every Time!
Spring is perfect for backyard parties and juicy burgers. To avoid dry, chewy patties when cooking in a pan, use a butter basting technique. Freeze herb-infused butter disks and melt them over the burgers while cooking to keep them moist. Choose ground beef with 20% fat, add breadcrumbs, eggs, and onions to the mix, and chill patties before cooking to ensure they stay juicy and don’t fall apart.
Spring is the perfect season to start hosting backyard and garden parties, and there's no better food for these gatherings than a juicy burger. However, cooking burgers in a pan (since grilling is a no-go for this method) can sometimes result in dry, charred, and chewy patties that ruin your burger buns. Luckily, we have the perfect trick to ensure your burgers are always juicy and delicious. This DIY method is easy to make and will become an indispensable part of your burger-cooking routine.
How to Keep Your Burgers Juicy and Moist
One of the simplest yet most effective methods to keep your burgers juicy is by using a butter basting technique. Start by melting 200g (0.9 cup) of butter and adding chopped parsley and rosemary for extra flavor. Pour the herb-infused melted butter into a freezing mold and freeze it for about two hours. This step creates flavorful butter disks that can be used during cooking. When you’re ready to cook your burgers, place them in a hot pan and immediately add a disk of the frozen butter on top of each burger. As the butter melts, it will baste the burger, infusing it with moisture and flavor. Flip the burger to ensure even cooking and basting on both sides. The basting technique works because the melting butter coats the meat, keeping it moist and preventing it from drying out. The herbs add an extra layer of flavor that makes the burgers even more delicious.
What Can You Add to Meat to Keep it Moist?
To keep your hamburger meat moist, consider incorporating some additional ingredients into the mix. The fat content in your ground beef is crucial, so choose beef with at least 20% fat content (80/20 blend). The fat melts during cooking, adding juiciness to the burgers. Adding a small amount of breadcrumbs can help retain moisture in the meat as they absorb the juices and expand, keeping the burger tender. Mixing an egg into the ground beef can act as a binder, helping the burger hold its shape while retaining moisture. Finely chopped onions add moisture and flavor, releasing juices as they cook, which helps keep the burger moist.
How to Keep a Juicy Burger From Falling Out
To ensure your juicy burgers hold together, there are a few key techniques. Overmixing the meat can break down the protein fibers, making the burgers tough and more likely to fall apart, so mix just enough to combine the ingredients. Before cooking, chill the formed patties in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the fat solidify and the patties firm up, making them less likely to fall apart during cooking. When cooking, flip the burgers gently using a spatula, and avoid pressing down on them as this squeezes out the juices and can make the burgers dry and crumbly.
