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The Perfect Basic Burger

This hamburger patty recipe uses ground beef and an easy bread crumb mixture. Nothing beats a simple hamburger on a warm summer evening! Enjoy on ciabatta, Kaiser, or potato rolls topped with your favorite condiments.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 1439.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Outdoor Grill with grates
  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Whisk or fork
  • 1 Instant-Read Thermometer essential for food safety
  • 1 Grill Tongs for handling patties

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup fine dry bread crumbs

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
  • Whisk egg, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Add ground beef and bread crumbs; mix with your hands or a fork until well blended. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Form into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Place patties on the preheated grill. Cover and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Serve hot and enjoy! DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Notes

To elevate this basic burger, consider incorporating a tablespoon of finely minced onion or a pinch of garlic powder into your meat mixture for enhanced aromatics. Handle the ground beef gently; overmixing can lead to a tough patty. For perfectly flat burgers, create a shallow indentation with your thumb in the center of each patty before grilling – this prevents them from bulging in the middle. Ensure your grill is adequately preheated for a good sear and oil the grates thoroughly. Always use an instant-read thermometer to verify doneness, aiming for 160°F (70°C) for food safety. Resist the urge to press down on the patties while grilling, as this squeezes out valuable juices, resulting in a drier burger. Toast your buns for added texture and serve with fresh toppings.