Beef burgers - learn to make

Beef burgers - learn to make

Learn how to make succulent beef burgers - just four steps and four ingredients

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Plus chilling time

Method

  1. Peel the onion, slice in half through the root and trim off the top. Place cutside down on a chopping board. With your knife parallel to the board, cut 3 slices through the onion, keeping the root intact. With the knife point at root end, cut down through the onion from top to bottom 4 times. Holding the root end, finely slice to give you small diced pieces. Tip the beef into a bowl with the onion and egg, then mix.
  2. Divide the mixture into four. Lightly wet your hands. Carefully roll the mixture into balls, each about the size of a tennis ball. Set in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze down to flatten into patties about 3cm thick. Make sure all the burgers are the same thickness so that they will cook evenly. Put on a plate, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 mins.
  3. Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals - about 40 mins after lighting). Lightly brush 1 side of each burger with oil. Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don't move them around or they may stick. Oil the other side, then turn over using tongs. Don't press down on the meat, as that will squeeze out the juices. Cook for 5 mins more for medium. If you like your burgers pink in the middle, cook 1 min less each side. For well done, cook 1 min more.
  4. Take the burgers off the barbecue. Leave to rest on a plate so that all the juices can settle inside. Slice each bun in half. Place, cut-side down, on the barbecue rack and toast for 1 min until they are lightly charred. Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment.
Try

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Recipe from Good Food magazine, July 2006.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo meals

    2007-11-09 15:52:46.028387

    meals rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Quick and cheap to make but so much better than shop-bought burgers!

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  • Binder photo top up, yes please

    2008-02-02 18:07:47.762668

    top up, yes please commented on this recipe

    first lot were a nightmare - make sure you leave them in the fridge to firm up - also so dont buy expensive beef -they tend to fall to pieces on the bbq - cheeper beef has fatty pieces in it, holds them together better

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  • Binder photo Lynda

    2008-10-05 12:31:39.657133

    Lynda rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Our favorite burger recipe, simple and delicious

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  • Binder photo bja.gil

    2009-02-28 14:41:21.667076

    bja.gil rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Easy recipe, good result. Rather than bbq the burgers I cooked them on a griddle, which worked just as well. Also added a little Rosemary to the mix to give the burgers a little extra flavour.

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  • Binder photo plummy

    2009-03-22 15:09:57.098172

    plummy commented on this recipe

    it is so easy make sure you leave it for a good hour to firm

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  • Binder photo plummy

    2009-03-22 15:09:57.546566

    plummy commented on this recipe

    it is so easy make sure you leave it for a good hour to firm

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  • Binder photo clairem

    2009-04-17 13:57:54.892736

    clairem commented on this recipe

    To help them bind, I purchased a burger presser! sooo quick and easy to do...recommend it!

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  • Binder photo *Stephanie*

    2009-06-07 13:02:29.162931

    *Stephanie* rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • Binder photo susiesfood

    2009-07-01 22:30:27.389006

    susiesfood rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    Very easy to make but needs something extra added for flavour, good with a little mustard added or worcester sauce.

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  • Binder photo bob devine

    2009-08-01 10:03:33.481539

    bob devine rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    They were lovely. We'll be making these in future rather than the frozen ones.

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  • Binder photo cookingforgirls

    2009-09-07 11:20:49.248944

    cookingforgirls rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    Easy to make and held their shape fine on the BBQ. But the taste was dull - I used best steak mince and added a shot of worcester sauce, but still found these bland.

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  • Binder photo Gordge

    2010-04-11 13:46:59.64282

    Gordge rated this recipe

    3 stars

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  • Binder photo George H

    2010-05-05 05:57:32.00256

    George H commented on this recipe

    yes, far too bland, Add 1 tbsp bovril, plus 1 tbsp of powdered stock of any flavour plus chili and small pinch of sugar. i also always add about 1tbsp oil, and this stops the things sticking to bbq plate or the worst non non stick pan. good to add about 1 tbsp grated cheese too, and this stops requirement for cheese in the bun

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  • Binder photo Marcus 37

    2010-08-16 11:59:14.925158

    Marcus 37 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These burgers came out really well after leaving to chill over night. Spiced mine up a bit by exchanging the onion for three fresh green chillies. Also added a tsp of praprika to add to the flavour. Used a burger rack to avoid them sticking to the barbecue. Would definately make again.

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  • Binder photo JulieLou41

    2010-11-15 09:40:39.842906

    JulieLou41 commented on this recipe

    God Marcus, that sounds delicious!! :-D

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  • Binder photo ZeTallGerman

    2011-02-15 11:48:20.073249

    ZeTallGerman rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    Not bad, but a blind bland to be honest. I did these a second time and added some finely chopped fresh parsley & thyme, as well as paprika powder and freshly ground pepper (white pepper works well here). To make the meat stick together a bit better, I sometimes also add just a few tbsp of fine breadcrumbs.

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  • Binder photo ZeTallGerman

    2011-02-21 08:46:43.013313

    ZeTallGerman commented on this recipe

    Oh, and a tsp of English mustard powder also works really well in the mix :-)

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  • Binder photo Inker

    2011-03-12 12:42:14.819047

    Inker commented on this recipe

    Absolutely delicious on the first attempt - I added a good squirt of BBQ marinade to the mixture which added so much flavour. I cooked them under the grill and they were threatening to fall apart so next time I'll let them rest for longer

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  • Binder photo Inker

    2011-03-12 12:42:26.121547

    Inker rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Absolutely delicious on the first attempt - I added a good squirt of BBQ marinade to the mixture which added so much flavour. I cooked them under the grill and they were threatening to fall apart so next time I'll let them rest for longer

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  • Binder photo AmateurCook

    2011-04-13 19:54:32.479169

    AmateurCook rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Fantastic! My first try and they came out perfect, though I did slightly tweak the recipe. Considering I used rather cheap minced beef, it still tasted great and didn't fall apart. I added a tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to the beef/onion/egg mix and seasoned with salt and pepper; I also left the burgers to set in the fridge for 4 hours - though I'm not sure if that made a world of difference. Instead of grilling them, I pan-fried them in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, for about 10 minutes (as I like mine well done). All in all, great burgers, unbelievably simple recipe, definitely one for the cook book!

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Plus chilling time

Simple family treat

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion
  • 500g good-quality beef mince
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 burger buns
  • All or any of the following to serve: sliced tomato , beetroot, horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, handful iceberg lettuce, rocket, watercress
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