Hamburger patties are a quick and easy dinner option, but sometimes plain old beef patties can get a bit boring. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to add flavor and variety to basic store bought burger patties with just a few simple ingredients and techniques.
What ingredients can you add to hamburger patties?
Some easy ways to spice up burger patties include adding the following ingredients:
- Herbs and spices: Try salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, cumin, curry powder, etc.
- Minced onions and garlic: Finely dice or mince onions and garlic and mix them into the raw burger patties before cooking.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adding a dash of Worcestershire really boosts the umami flavor.
- Soy sauce: A bit of soy sauce also enhances the meaty, savory notes.
- BBQ sauce: Mix in some BBQ sauce if you want a tangy, sweet flavor.
- Ketchup and mustard: Ketchup and mustard are classic burger condiments, so incorporating them directly into patties can infuse flavor throughout.
- Hot sauce: If you like heat, mix in drops of your favorite hot sauce or salsa.
- Cheese: Grate cheese like cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, or bleu cheese and fold it into the meat. The cheese will melt into delicious pockets of gooey goodness.
- Chopped vegetables: Onions, peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini lend moisture and texture.
- Breadcrumbs or oats: Adding a touch of breadcrumbs or oats helps bind the patties and retain moisture.
- Egg: Mixing in an egg also helps hold patties together so they don’t crumble apart on the grill.
What creative flavor combinations can make burger patties stand out?
When mixing up ground beef, don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors that complement each other. Here are some tasty burger patty blend ideas:
- Greek burger: Feta cheese, olives, oregano, lemon, garlic
- Southwestern burger: Cheddar, salsa, cumin, chili powder, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños
- BBQ burger: Cheddar, bacon, BBQ sauce, onions, Worcestershire
- Italian burger: Mozzarella, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic
- Hawaiian burger: Pepper jack, pineapple, teriyaki sauce
- Mushroom and Swiss burger: Sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, garlic
- Jalapeño popper burger: Cream cheese, jalapeños, cheddar, garlic, cilantro
What alternate meat products can you mix with beef?
For an extra flavor and texture boost, try incorporating the following ingredients along with ground beef:
- Bacon: Chopped cooked bacon adds a smoky crunch.
- Sausage or chorizo: Use spicy sausage or Mexican chorizo for a hearty, robust taste.
- Ground turkey, chicken, or pork: Leaner meats make patties juicier. Mix in a 50/50 ratio with beef.
- Portobello mushrooms: Finely chopped and sautéed mushroom replicates the chewy texture of meat.
- Lentils: Cooked green or brown lentils blended into patties add fiber.
- Walnuts: Ground walnuts lend nutty richness and moisture without using meat.
How can you change up the shape and presentation?
Rethink the typical flat oval patty with these creative serving suggestions:
- Stuff patties with cheese or other fillings so the fillings ooze out with delicious molten goodness.
- Make thinner smash burgers for crispy edges and melty cheese.
- Shape wider, thinner patties and stack two patties on each bun for a hearty club-style presentation.
- Roll seasoned ground beef into meatballs and serve slider-style on dinner rolls.
- Form hand-shaped patties with creases and ridges to add textural interest.
- Cut patties into fun shapes using cookie cutters.
- Skewer seasoned patties and vegetables on sticks for kebabs.
What unique sauces and condiments complement flavored patties?
Specialized sauces can really make unique hamburger patties pop. Whip up a custom condiment or try one of these sauces:
- Pesto mayo: Mix pesto into mayonnaise for herby garlic aioli with basil and pine nuts.
- Spicy mayo: Stir sriracha, chili oil, or harissa paste into regular or Greek yogurt-based mayo.
- Specialty mustard: Kick it up with honey mustard, stone ground, or whole grain varieties.
- Chimichurri: Fresh herbs, oil, vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes blend into a zesty sauce.
- Tzatziki: Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon, dill creates a cooling creamy cucumber sauce.
- Gochujang mayo: Mix Korean fermented chili paste into mayo for sweet heat.
- Mango salsa: Diced mango, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime, and jalapeño provide a fresh fruity topping.
What are the best cooking methods for flavorful patties?
The cooking technique you use can also enhance the flavor of spiced up burger patties:
- Grilling: Grilling over direct high heat helps sear the patties so they develop a crispy exterior with grill marks and smoky char flavor.
- Pan frying: Cooking in a skillet in a little oil browns and crisps the patties beautifully.
- Baking: Baking in the oven ensures patties cook through without drying out.
- Slow cooker: Letting patties simmer in a sauce or gravy in the slow cooker infuses them with flavor.
- Stovetop smoker: Smoking burgers on the stovetop imparts an irresistible smoky essence.
What are some quick and easy seasoning mixes for patties?
For effortless flavor, try mixing up a bulk batch of these simple spice blends to keep on hand for jazzing up ground beef whenever inspiration strikes!
| Seasoning Mix | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Bistro Burger | 1 Tbs garlic powder, 2 tsps onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1⁄2 tsp black pepper |
| Chili Lime Burger | 2 tsps chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper, zest of 1 lime |
| Everything Bagel Burger | 2 tsps sesame seeds, 1 tsp poppy seeds, 1 tsp dried minced onion, 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder |
| Tex Mex Burger | 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1⁄2 tsp paprika, 1⁄2 tsp brown sugar |
What creative bun options pair well with flavored patties?
Stray from plain old white burger buns with these fun alternatives:
- Pretzel buns
- Hawaiian rolls
- Onion rolls
- Brioche buns
- Whole wheat pita
- Naan or other flatbread
- Lettuce wrap “buns”
- Texas Toast
- Gluten-free buns
- English muffins
- Biscuits
How can you give leftovers new life?
Made too many tasty seasoned burger patties? You can reinvent them in creative new dishes like:
- Hamburger steak with gravy
- Cheeseburger pasta bake
- Loaded burger soup or chili
- Bell peppers stuffed with burger meat and cheese
- Egg roll wraps with burger meat and veggies
- Burger fried rice
- Machaca-style Mexican shredded beef
- Burger hash for breakfast
Conclusion
Store bought burger patties provide a convenient starting point for endless easy weeknight meals. With the simple addition of flavorful herbs, spices, sauces and mix-ins, you can create your own signature burger creations to please any palate. Use your imagination to combine tastes and textures in unique ways, and fire up the grill or skillet to transform boring burgers into memorable masterpieces. When spicing up patties at home, the possibilities are endless for customized burgers your whole family will request time and time again.
