This Is The Type Of Meat You Should Be Using For Burgers
What could be better than a homemade burger? How about a juicy, flavorful homemade burger that tastes like you bought it in a restaurant? The next time you dust off the grill or skillet and start toasting brioche buns, maybe you should think about getting to the actual meat of your burger — which is, of course, the meat! While we're all guilty of buying a generic package of ground beef to cook with now and again, the quality of your burger starts with the quality of your meat, so here's what you should look for next time you're in the butcher section.
Obviously, the quality of the cut of meat you're grinding has a huge impact on the final burgers, but it's not just a question of the price of the cut. In fact, Food & Wine recommends you skip out on the higher-priced packages and instead look more at fat content. If you're grilling on a grill, you're going to want a cut of meat that's higher in fat because you'll lose fat as it drips through the grates. But which cuts should you look for?
Which cuts of meat make for the best burgers?
Choosing a ground meat mixture of about 20 to 30 percent fat will create a juicier burger and a better crust as it cooks, no matter how well done you like it. One of the best cuts for grinding and turning into a burger is actually chuck, which is both wonderfully cheap and delicious, plus, it's Gordon Ramsay's favorite (via The Independent). But you can also combine a few different cuts to get exactly the burger you're looking for. A good place to start is a mixture of 75 percent chuck and 25 percent eye of round for a juicy burger that isn't too fatty.
If you don't have a meat grinder, your best bet is to go to the butcher and ask them to grind your meat fresh. However, if you're looking to really customize your burgers (and get the best possible flavor), you can always grind the meat yourself. While this might seem like a lot of work, it's really not. You can get an attachment for your Kitchen-aid mixer for just $63.99 (via Amazon) and use it to make homemade sausages as well as burgers for the ultimate summer barbecue.