Description
This recipe offers a simple and delicious way to make classic beefburgers at home, flavored with mild chili powder for a subtle kick. Ideal for family meals or casual gatherings, the burgers can be cooked on a griddle or barbecue and customized with your favorite fresh toppings and condiments.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers
- 500g pack lean minced beef, preferably organic
- 1 tsp mild chilli powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices mild cheddar cheese (optional, for cheeseburgers)
To Serve
- 4 burger buns
- Choice of lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Gherkins, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
- Ketchup or mayonnaise, or both
Instructions
- Flavour the meat: Place the minced beef in a mixing bowl and sprinkle the mild chilli powder along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a fork to combine the flavours evenly without making the mixture too spicy.
- Shape into burgers: Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into round patties about the size of the burger buns, pressing firmly to compact the meat. If available, use large presentation rings on a chopping board to form neat patties and then gently lift the rings off, similar to making sandcastles.
- Cook the burgers: Heat a griddle pan or prepare your barbecue for medium-high heat. Cook the burgers for approximately 5 minutes on each side, turning carefully with a metal spatula to avoid breakage and to manage hot fat spitting. If making cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheddar on each patty after flipping them and allow the cheese to melt as the other side cooks.
- Toast the buns: Cut the burger buns in half and warm them lightly in a toaster or on the barbecue until they are slightly toasted but not burnt.
- Prepare the toppings: While cooking the burgers, wash and separate the lettuce into leaves. Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the tomato, cucumber, and gherkins on a separate chopping board from where the meat was prepared. Finely chop the peeled red onion.
- Assemble and serve: Spread mayonnaise, ketchup, or both on the toasted burger buns. Add the cooked burger patty, top with your choice of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, gherkins, and chopped red onion. Place the top half of the bun on and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Using mild chilli powder gives flavour without making the burgers too spicy, suitable for children.
- Compact the patties well to help them hold shape during cooking.
- Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on grill or griddle temperature.
- Cheese is optional; you can omit it for plain beefburgers or choose other cheese types for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Western
Keywords: beefburgers, homemade burgers, grilled burgers, easy beef recipe, family meal, barbecue recipe, cheeseburgers
