In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort quite like a classic hamburger, especially when prepared in the iconic style of a traditional diner. These savory patties, nestled between soft buns and adorned with an array of delectable toppings, have become an integral part of American cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned burger enthusiast or a curious culinary explorer, embarking on a quest to discover the best recipe for a diner-style hamburger is an adventure worth savoring. From selecting the perfect blend of ground beef to mastering the art of grilling, this culinary journey promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of an authentic diner experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
FISH BURGERS
You'll find variations on this classic sandwich - essentially a fried fillet of fish on a hamburger bun - at seafood shacks all over Maine. This one includes a homemade tartar sauce.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the tartar sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, pickles and brine, dill, capers, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder in a food processor and pulse until almost smooth, 8 to 10 pulses. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate while you prepare the fish.
- Make the fish: Clean out the food processor and dry. Add the crackers and pulse until very fine. Transfer to a large shallow dish and add 1 teaspoon pepper. Put the flour and beaten eggs in separate shallow dishes; season the flour with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
- Pat the fish fillets very dry using paper towels. One at a time, dredge each fillet in the flour, coating both sides; dip in the eggs, allowing the excess to drip off, then coat completely in the crackers. Transfer to a plate and let sit 5 to 10 minutes for the coating to set.
- Meanwhile, fill a large deep skillet with 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350˚ F. Add 2 fillets to the hot oil and cook until the crust is golden brown and the fish is cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large paper towel-lined plate and cook the remaining 2 fillets. Serve the fried fish on the buns with some of the tartar sauce. Serve with chips and the remaining tartar sauce.
HAMBURGERS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 hamburgers
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a roasting rack on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven.
- Using your hands, break the meat into small pieces and combine evenly but loosely on a parchment or waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Spread the meat out and season it generously with salt and pepper. If desired, add the spice mix at this time.
- Divide the meat into 4 portions (about 6 ounces each). Using your hands, form each portion into a ball-shape by gently tossing it from 1 hand to the other. (Don't over work or press too firmly on the meat.) Gently form each portion into a patty about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1-inch-thick.
- Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add the oil. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until well-browned, about 2 minutes each side.
- Using a spatula, transfer the hamburgers to the roasting rack in the oven and continue cooking to desired doneness, 8 to 9 minutes for medium-rare, 10 to 11 minutes for medium, and 13 to 15 minutes for well-done. If you are using the cheese, top the hamburgers during their last couple of minutes of cooking to melt.
- Transfer the hamburgers to a plate, let rest for a couple minutes before serving. Meanwhile, toast the hamburger buns. Assemble the hamburgers with the condiments and toppings of your choice. Serve.
- When cooking on a countertop grill, turn on grill, then place burgers on the heated grill.
- Timing for a countertop grill:
- For Medium-Rare: Cook for 3 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 2 to 3 more minutes.
- For Medium: Cook for 4 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 4 more minutes.
- For Well: Cook for 5 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 5 more minutes.
- Combine all ingredients.
HAMBURGERS (TAVERN STYLE)
Here is the hamburger you get in better taverns and bars, plump and juicy, with a thick char that gives way to tender, medium-rare meat. It is best cooked in a heavy, cast-iron skillet slicked with oil or fat. Ask a butcher for coarse-ground chuck steak, with at least a 20 percent fat content, or grind your own. Keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook, and then when you do, form your patties gently. Season after the meat is in the pan.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Categories burgers, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Add oil or butter to a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet and place over medium heat. Gently divide ground beef into 4 small piles of around 8 ounces each, and then lightly form these into thick patties of around 3 1/2 inches in diameter, like flattened meatballs. Season aggressively with salt and pepper.
- Increase heat under skillet to high. Put hamburgers into the skillet with plenty of distance between them and allow them to cook, without moving, for approximately 3 minutes. Use a spatula to turn hamburgers over. If using cheese, lay slices on meat.
- Continue to cook until meat is cooked through, approximately another 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare. Remove hamburgers from skillet and allow to rest for approximately 5 minutes; meanwhile, toast the buns. Place hamburgers on buns and top as desired.
SMASH BURGERS
This is the traditional, griddled hamburger of diners and takeaway spots, smashed thin and cooked crisp on its edges. It is best to cook in a heavy, cast-iron skillet slicked with oil or fat, and not on a grill. For meat, ask a butcher for coarse-ground chuck steak, with at least a 20 percent fat content, or grind your own. Keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook, and try not to handle it with your fingers - use an ice-cream scoop or spoon instead. Plop down a few ounces in the pan, smash it with a spatula, salt it, let it go crisp and flip. Add cheese and get your bun toasted. The process moves quickly.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Categories weeknight, burgers, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Add oil or butter to a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet and place over medium heat. Gently divide ground beef into 8 small piles of around 4 ounces each, and even more gently gather them together into orbs that are about 2 inches in height. Do not form patties.
- Increase heat under skillet to high. Put half the orbs into the skillet with plenty of distance between them and, using a stiff metal spatula, press down on each one to form a burger that is around 4 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook without moving until patties have achieved a deep, burnished crust, a little less than 2 minutes. Use the spatula to scrape free and carefully turn burgers over. If using cheese, lay slices on meat.
- Continue to cook until meat is cooked through, approximately a minute or so longer. Remove burgers from skillet, place on buns and top as desired. Repeat process with remaining burgers. Serving two hamburgers on a single bun is not an outrageous option.
Tips:
- For the perfect diner-style hamburger, start with fresh, high-quality ground beef. An 80/20 blend of chuck and sirloin is a good choice.
- Season the ground beef simply with salt and pepper. Avoid using too many other spices, as they can overpower the flavor of the beef.
- Form the ground beef into patties that are about 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to help prevent them from puffing up in the middle when cooking.
- Cook the patties over medium heat in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Toast the buns lightly in the skillet before assembling the burgers. This will help to keep the buns from getting soggy.
- Top the burgers with your favorite toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Add a dollop of ketchup, mustard, and/or mayonnaise for extra flavor.
Conclusion:
Diner-style hamburgers are a classic American comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can easily make diner-style hamburgers at home that are just as good as the ones you get at your favorite restaurant. So next time you're craving a burger, give one of these recipes a try.
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