Americans eat over 50 billion burgers each year, which means we know our stuff. But do we know what makes one burger stand above the rest?
What makes a burger the best burger we’ve ever had?
We’re here to pepper your day with the burger secrets that’ll ignite your inner foodie. Read on so that you’ll never suffer through a lackluster burger ever again!
Juicy Protein
The perfect burger starts with the right kind of protein. Angus beef is a classic choice for a reason. It cooks well, retains moisture, and tastes amazing.
When crafting a patty, less is often more. You want the protein to be the main star of the show, so look for a joint that knows how to handle its meat. If there are a lot of additions to the meat, it makes your patty taste more like a meatloaf than a burger.
Don’t worry, good protein doesn’t always have to mean actual animal meat. High-quality veggie options pack a powerful punch as well.
Make sure to ask the joint about how they prepare the burger to make sure you’re getting something made with love!
Sizzling Sear
Even top-notch burger ingredients fall flat if they’re not cooked in the right way. Every burger patty needs a crusty sear that makes your mouth water at the sight of it.
This is all thanks to what’s known as the Maillard reaction.
It’s the chemical reaction that happens when you brown something, reducing the surface water content to make the ingredients sing with flavor. If you ever receive a burger where the patty is lacking a brown sear, you already know it’s not going to be a great burger.
This one simple trick turns any run-of-the-mill patty into a wonderful eating experience. Once you know what to look for, you’ll never want to eat anything without this reaction again.
Balanced Toppings
Although a lot of focus is put on protein, the toppings are the backup singers that play an important role. They provide balance and interest. Toppings are what decides if a burger is more acidic, creamy, or tangy.
It’s a lot of fun to try different toppings, but make sure to avoid joints that offer too many toppings on one burger.
With all those conflicting flavors, the heart of the burger will get lost and muddled. It’ll leave your palate confused and you wanting something else.
That said, don’t be afraid to get creative by trying something unique, such as Guinness-braised onions or dijonnaise. You never know when you’ll find a new favorite!
The Best Burger Is Waiting Right Around the Corner
By choosing a burger joint that excels at these three aspects, you’ll know that you’re getting top-tier quality every time. When you decide to treat yourself, why settle for less?
You deserve to bite into the best burger that’ll excite your taste buds!
The good news is that delicious burgers are closer than you think. Here at Burger Republic, we defend quality like a perfect sear protects the scrumptious juices inside a patty. Check out our burger and shake menu to taste what we’re all about!