We all know there’s more to a great burger, even though we all think it’s the easiest thing to make. The first step to creating the best combo of meat, buns, and cheese? Danyele McPherson, executive chef of HG Sply Co. and Remedy, offers this solid advice, “Don’t overthink it.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Listen to these pro tips from Dallas chefs, and you’ll be joining their burger royalty ranks in no time. We guarantee it.
1. Don’t skimp on the fat
Every master burger chef agrees: Keep it simple by getting a ground beef with 20% fat. “The fat is the reason why your eyes roll back in your head when you eat a great burger. Have the turkey chile and lean meats over cauliflower rice for the majority of your week and allow yourself to indulge on a perfect representation of burger bliss,” says McPherson.
2. Season with salt and pepper
Believe us, it’s all you need! Lather salt and pepper evenly both sides of the patty. “I want to be able to taste the meat,” says Oliver Sitrin, chef and owner of The Blind Butcher and Goodfriend Package Store.
3. Sear your patty on a hot cast iron pan
“The burger must be cooked on a flat top with simple salt and pepper and achieve that old school cast iron burger crust like my mom used to make at home,” says McPherson.
4. Get yourself some great buns
Not the cheap 6-for-$1 kind at the grocery store, but “one that has a nice spring to it and will absorb some of the juices that the burger releases,” says Jason Ferraro, executive chef of Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen and Butcher Board. Then griddle the buns with butter or coconut oil (McPherson’s suggestion) in the cast iron.
5. Top it off with whatever condiments your stomach desires
A) Make sure they’re good quality ingredients and B) Don’t load it up with so many toppings that you can’t taste the meat anymore. Our favorite combo? We like this simple yet enticing list from Wayward Sons’ executive chef Graham Dodds: “lettuce, thinly sliced tomato, red onions, and both grain mustard and aioli.” If you’re into pickles, add it for an extra crunch; and melty cheese (Hunter Pond of East Hampton Sandwich Co. is all about American-style), if you want your tastebuds to reach their pinnacle level of happiness.
