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Ina Garten is the go-to woman when it comes to learning the basics of making something tasty, so it’s no surprise that the Barefoot Contessa knows a few tricks for making the best summer burgers possible. What would a fancy dinner party orchestra know about burgers? First, Standard Dinner I live in the Hamptons, which is basically a summer paradise. In addition to lobster rolls and fresh summer sides, burgers are also popular off the grill. Just because it’s too upscale doesn’t mean you’re too extravagant to enjoy a good burger.
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Ina Garten’s Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing will turn any summer vegetable into a star salad.
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But as with all of her recipes, Garten has her burger technique down to a science. She doesn’t use frozen patties from the store. If you want a juicier, tastier, better burger, you need to follow the Barefoot Contessa’s burger tips. From extra ingredients that make meat stand out to toppings that taste way better than raw veggies, Garten’s burger recipes and advice will help you become the summer star chef you’ve always dreamed of.
Made with 80/20 beef
Most of Aina Garten’s burger recipes call for ground beef that’s 80% lean and 20% fat — any less lean and the burger won’t be juicy enough, and any more fat will make it harder to cook because the fat will melt.
Experimenting with bread
One of the easiest ways to spice up a boring burger is to swap out the bun for something a little more interesting, and Garten’s recipe for grass-fed beef burgers calls for placing the burger on a toasted English muffin, which also helps soak up all the delicious juices from the burger.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Add butter
Of course, Garten recommends using 80/20 ground beef for juicy burgers, but her other surefire method? In her blue cheese burger recipe, the Barefoot Contessa recommends pressing a dollop of butter onto each burger patty before putting it on the grill (or in a skillet), making sure the butter is completely coated into the beef. As the burgers cook, the butter will melt, adding a burst of juicy flavor to every bite.
Related article
Ina Garten’s Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing will turn any summer vegetable into a star salad.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Add egg yolk
Another tip from her blue cheese burger recipe: adding an egg yolk to the ground beef creates a super rich steakhouse-style burger that’s tender and not dry. One Food Network reviewer notes that the egg yolk “makes the burger super juicy.”
Freeze your Smashburgers
What’s the secret to making a smashburger that’s crispy and crunchy on the edges but not leathery in the middle? In her Smashburger recipe, Ina Garten recommends freezing the burger patties for 15 minutes after forming them. This helps the burger hold its shape and prevents the inside from overcooking while still getting that signature caramelized exterior.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Caramelize the onions
If you want to make a truly amazing burger, don’t just settle for sliced raw onions. “If there’s one thing that can make a good burger truly amazing, it’s a generous amount of caramelized onions on top,” Garten shares on YouTube. Make loads of them; her Caramelized Onion Burger Topping is great on a grilled cheese sandwich or tossed with pasta.
Looking for more summer recipes? Giada De Laurentiis has lots:
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