How to Make Homemade Burgers
Burgers are a backyard barbecue staple that can be customized with elevated flavors and toppings to complement your adventurous tastes. With the help of a KitchenAid® stand mixer and the Metal Food Grinder Attachment1, you can create burgers from scratch whenever you want to enjoy this handheld meal. Use this guide to learn how to make homemade burgers and how to customize them to fit your preferences.
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Homemade Burger Recipe
Your KitchenAid® stand mixer opens the door for new culinary possibilities, and with the Metal Food Grinder Attachment1 you can customize your new favorite burger recipe from start to finish.
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Yields
6–8 burger patties
Ingredients
Meat, such as beef, chicken, turkey or lamb
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
Sliced cheese (optional)
Seasonings to taste, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder etc. (optional)
Fresh herbs such as parsley, oregano or cilantro (optional)
Chopped vegetables like onions, jalapenos or red peppers (optional)
Tools
Stand mixer, like the KitchenAid® Professional 5™ Plus Series 5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
Meat grinder, like the Metal Food Grinder Attachment from KitchenAid brand
Flat Beater Accessory
Flipping spatula
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
8 minutes. Cook times vary depending on your preferred level of “doneness.” Standard preparation “medium” burgers typically take between 7–8 minutes to cook.
Total Time
37 minutes
Step 1: Prep meat for grinding
Prepare your meat of choice for grinding by trimming any excess fat or skin and removing any bones or bone fragments. This helps the food grinder chop meat efficiently and ensures you’re only using the prime parts of the meat for your burgers. Cut the meat into small to medium sized cubes to avoid clogging the grinder.
Step 2: Grind the meat
Attach the Food Grinder Attachment to your stand mixer and secure the coarse grinding plate, then turn on your mixer. Insert your meat pieces into the grinder one or two chunks at a time, using the food pusher to press the meat down towards the grinding plate.
While grinding the meat, you can also grind in ingredients like garlic or chopped onions to incorporate more flavor into the meat itself in addition to any seasonings you choose to include.
Step 3: Mix in seasonings and additional ingredients
If you have herbs or other ingredients like cheese, chopped onions or red peppers that you want to add to your burgers for texture, you can mix these ingredients in after grinding your meat and ground spices. Turn off your stand mixer and remove the Food Grinder Attachment, then attach the Flat Edge Beater. Turn your mixer on to medium-low speed and sprinkle in salt, pepper and other seasonings of your choice. Mix for 30 seconds or just until seasonings are fully incorporated.
Step 4: Heat your skillet or grill and form burger patties
Using your hands, shape the seasoned ground meat into 6–8 patties depending on your preferred burger size and thickness. To keep your patties from puffing up in the middle, press a thumbprint into the center of each patty before cooking. Then, use your stove to heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium heat. If you’re grilling your patties, spray the grates with a high-heat cooling spray like canola oil and heat the grill.
Step 5: Cook burgers
Once your skillet is up to temperature, place the burger patties in the pan. Be sure to cook your burgers in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Flip burgers with a flipping spatula after 3–4 minutes and continue cooking for an additional 3–4 minutes. Be sure not to press down on burgers with spatula while cooking.
Shop KitchenAid® Stand Mixers For Making Homemade Burgers
Other Ways to Make Homemade Burgers
You can also create homemade burgers using other tools in your kitchen. Your food processor can mince meat and other ingredients in smaller batches to create burgers from scratch. If you are starting with pre-ground meat from the deli, you can simply use your stand mixer with the Flat Edge Beater to mix in seasonings and any additional ingredients.
Do Homemade Burgers Need an Egg?
No, you do not need to use an egg to make a traditional burger patty. The ground meat does not need an additional binding agent to stay together during the cooking process. Eggs can also alter the texture and cook times for your burgers.
Do Homemade Burgers Need Bread Crumbs?
Like eggs, breadcrumbs are not a necessary ingredient to make homemade burgers. Adding breadcrumbs to act as a binding agent can result in a texture more similar to a meatball rather than a traditional burger patty.
How Do You Make Homemade Burgers More Flavorful?
The beauty of making homemade burgers is the ability to add your favorite flavors to the standard recipe. You can use a variety of ground spices and fresh herbs to create delicious burgers that mirror your favorite cuisines, or toss in bacon or fatty cuts of meat while grinding your meat to make your burgers more rich and juicy. You can even top your burger with caramelized onions for extra flavor or add a quick pickle on the side.
You can give your burgers a Mediterranean twist by making Spiced Lamb Burgers with herbs and spices like cumin, parsley and mint. If you prefer your burgers with a little kick, you can mix in spices like smoked paprika and cayenne pepper and diced peppers to make these Jalapeno Cheddar Stuffed Burgers.
How Can You Make Vegan or Vegetarian Burgers?
Yes, you can create vegan and vegetarian burgers by substituting meat with meat-free alternatives like black beans, chickpeas, tofu, quinoa, mushrooms or even sweet potatoes.
Get inspired by vegan and vegetarian recipes like these Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers topped with guacamole or these Middle Eastern Veggie Burgers served with smooth and earthy tahini.
What Sides Can You Serve with Homemade Burgers?
Homemade burgers pair well with a variety of side dishes so the possibilities are endless. Instead of the standard side of fries, you can create a flavorful pairing by serving your burgers with Loaded Potato Slices, Grilled Veggies with Pesto or Sweet Potato Curly Fries with a Creamy Chili Dip.
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