Homemade Beef Burgers with Cheese

• 600 gbeef mince, 15–20% fat
• 1 tspgarlic powder
• 1 tsponion powder
• 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
• 4burger buns, about 70 g each, split
• 4cheddar slices, about 20 g each
• 4 tbspketchup
• 2 tbspmustard
• 4little gem lettuce leaves, about 40 g
• 2tomatoes, sliced
• Fine salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 600 gskin-on fries (optional)
• 200 gcoleslaw made with cabbage, carrot and a lightly dressed mayonnaise (optional)
• 10 gdill, chopped, optional (optional)

Method

1. 1Tip the mince into a bowl with the garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce and a generous pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper. Mix briefly with your hands; just until combined, no more. Overworked mince goes tough and bouncy; you want it loose and craggy.
2. 2Divide into 4 and shape into patties slightly wider than your buns, with a shallow dimple pressed into the centre of each. The dimple stops them doming as they cook. Season the outsides with another pinch of salt right before they hit the pan; salt on the surface builds the crust.
3. 3Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook in two batches if needed so the patties have room to brown.
4. 4Leave them well alone for 4 minutes, until a deep mahogany crust has formed on the underside. No prodding, no lifting to peek; the crust is what you came for.
5. 5Turn the patties and cook for another 4–5 minutes, lowering the heat if the crust darkens too quickly. Check the centre reaches 75°C for 30 seconds, cooking longer if needed. Add a slice of cheddar to each and cover for the final minute to melt it.
6. 6While the cheese melts, split the buns and toast cut-side down in a dry pan for about 30 seconds, until golden and lightly crisp. A toasted bun holds up to the juices; an untoasted one turns to mush.
7. 7If serving optional fries, cook them according to the packet while making the burgers. Stir the optional chopped dill into the optional coleslaw if using.
8. 8Spread ketchup on the bun bases and mustard on the lids. Add lettuce, tomato and a cheesy patty to each, then the lid. Serve with the optional fries and coleslaw if using.

Per serving

kcal

689

protein

39g

fibre

3.5g

carbs

45.9g

fat

40.2g