This is how you stack the perfect burger (2024)

This is how you stack the perfect burger

Onions below or above? Grated or non-shredded lettuce? We're here to end the burger debate with good reasons why you should stack your burgers a certain way.

Basically, as long as your burger stays tasty and stacked, anything is possible, but if you're looking for perfection, these tips will help you achieve burger bliss.

How to make a hamburger

1. Start from scratch with a lightly toasted bun
2. Add at least a teaspoon of your chosen sauce
3. Salad then use a whole leaf to catch any patty juices
4. Thick slices of tomato
5. The star, your patty with melted cheese
6. Gherkins and onions lie nicely on the melted cheese
7. Top it with the other half of the bun, customized with sauce

The best buns for burgers

Not all sandwiches are created equal. Too soft and it falls apart, too hard and your filling ends up on the table.

Soft patties made with ground beef or vegetables work better with soft rolls. Try the classic seed rolls, brioche, milk rolls or potato rolls. A steak or chicken burger is less delicate and therefore goes well with thicker breads such as ciabatta rolls. Are you going low-carb? Try oneburger with a mushroom bunor follow thisguide to low carb burgers.

Toast the cut side of your sandwich under the grill or in a hot, dry pan. This adds crunch and also keeps the bun from becoming soggy from sauces and juices. If you like a crispier burger, grill both sides. Avoid over-toasting as this can make the bun too dry and hard.

Classic burger sauce ideas

Sauces are essential. They keep your burger from drying out and add tartness, sourness, sweetness or creaminess to your burger, taking away all the richness.

You can buy burger sauces or make them yourself. In addition to your standard tomato or BBQ sauce, try these sauce combinations in your next burger:

• Classic burger sauce:Mix equal parts tomato sauce, mayo and mild mustard plus brine to taste.
• Spicy burger sauce:Mix tomato sauce with chutney, mustard and sambal.
• Asian-style sauces:Thai zoete chili, sriracha mayo, wasabi mayo of gochujang.
• Ideal for fish and chicken burgers:Mix mayonnaise with chopped herbs of your choice, capers, pickles, chipotle chili and lemon juice.
• Healthier ideas:pesto, hummus,healthy barbecue sauce, tzatziki.

Don't forget to coat both sides of the bun and be generous. Use at least one teaspoon on each side. Mix and match sauces on the top and bottom to add more flavor to your burger.

What type of salad is best for burgers?

Putting lettuce in a burger isn't for 'smuggling veggies', it adds texture and freshness. Additionally, placing lettuce under the patty will keep the bun from becoming soggy.

Iceberg and coss lettuce leaves are great varieties that provide crunch without competing flavors. They are especially delicious with beef or lamb burgers. For softer steaks such as fish or vegetables, consider using soft leafy varieties such as butter lettuce, red oak leaves or even arugula. Use whole leaves instead of shredded lettuce for optimal crispiness and to prevent wilting.

TIP:For a photo-worthy castle, run the lettuce over the bun for color.

The best tomato for burgers

Choose ripe, firm tomatoes that are not too plump. At gourmet grocers you can find fleshy tomato varieties, such as beef and other heirloom tomatoes. Vine-ripened tomatoes have a delicious taste. Cut the tomatoes into thick slices, about 5-6 mm thick. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper before adding it to your burger.

The perfect burger patties

The star of the show! Whether you eat red meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian, high-quality ingredients make your burgers shine. For meatballs, choose minced meat with a high fat content. A higher fat content means a juicier burger that bursts from the inside as it cooks.

If you use lean ground beef, keep it juicy by adding ingredients such as sauces, vegetables, eggs and breadcrumbs.

Do not overwork the meat. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Too much mixing will lead to shrinkage and a hockey puck texture.

Carefully shape the patties slightly larger than your buns, they will shrink slightly during cooking. Place on a baking sheet, cover and keep cold. Always let your meatballs rest in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of your ingredients. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before preparation. While your meatballs are cooking, start building your burger so it's hot when you serve it.

How do you melt cheese on a burger patty?

If there is cheese on your burger, it needs to be melted. Place the cheese on the patties during the last 30 seconds of cooking and cover with a lid or bowl to let it melt.

Choose a firm cheese such as mozzarella, cheddar, gouda or savory, something that won't overpower the flavor of the patty and has excellent melting quality.

Pickles and onions

Pickles should help balance your burger with tart acidity. Choose a variety of pickles that are sour and cut into thin slices. Just 2-4 slices is a good start to prevent the other flavors in the burger from overpowering.

Onions can be added raw or cooked. Raw onions add bite, freshness and a crunchy texture. Red onions are a good choice because they are slightly sweeter. If you only have white onions, chop them and place them in a bowl of cold water while you prepare your burgers to reduce the bite. Let it drain on paper towels before adding it to the burger.

Caramelized onions provide a sweet taste and creamy texture. To cook onions, thinly slice the onions of your choice and caramelize them until golden brown, soft and collapsed.

More hamburger recipes