To create juicy halal burgers in hadfield, divide the meat evenly (for even greater precision, use a kitchen scale) and loosely form them. Season generously with coarse kosher salt and black pepper before shaping, to keep flavors intact on the outside of each patty.
Avoid flipping the burger too often–this makes for dry and tough results. Turn it only once to get an excellent sear on its first side.
Grilling
When grilling a burger, ensure the patties are flat and not too big (they shrink as they cook). Brush olive oil over them before placing on the grill to help them crisp up on its surface without sticking. Also be careful not to touch too often while grilling; touching breaks down muscle proteins and causes dryness of meat. Only touch patties to shape them or add seasonings if necessary – never press down on them while they’re hot as this squeezes out juices that keep your burger moist while on it – as this drains juices out while leaving you with dry results!
Experts advise starting burgers over high heat for 2-3 minutes for an initial sear, before flipping to finish cooking on the other side. Once removed from the grill, use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures to make sure they are done – always let a burger rest post-grill to allow any juices that gather at its center to redistribute and ensure juicy patties.
Pan-Searing
Pan-searing is an easy way to achieve deliciously juicy, flavorful and crispy burgers – just be sure to preheat a skillet (preferably cast iron) at high temperature first; that is where all of the magic occurs!
Cassie recommends keeping the meat cold until ready to use it, since its heat-activated protein structures will cause it to expand quickly in a hot pan, creating pockets of fat within its patties – this step is particularly important when working with lean ground beef.
Salt should only be applied right before placing them into the pan, as salt draws moisture from ground meat, creating problems when dealing with it. A light sprinkle just before the burgers hit will work wonders! Care must also be taken not to press down on them while flipping, as this will release all their juices and cause them to disintegrate altogether. Continue cooking them until they reach at least 160 degrees and have developed deep brown crusts on both sides – then enjoy.
Broiling
Broiling can help speed up the cooking time of burgers. Just ensure they’re placed on a shallow baking sheet close to a heat source so they don’t burn or smoke during their short stint under the broiler.
Make sure to use a baking sheet instead of a traditional frying pan; this will allow for better airflow, helping the patties cook more evenly. Furthermore, be wary of overcrowding them – this may lead to uneven results!
When it comes to judging a burger’s doneness, color is always your best indicator. Once it has reached halfway in terms of cooking time, its color will turn light gray or tan, signaling its readiness to be turned over safely and continue in the oven if desired. For optimal results, preheat the oven and lightly grease your baking sheet before placing the patties inside it and baking as directed.
Baking
When cravings strike and you don’t feel like messing up either your grill or kitchen, bake burgers. Baking provides direct heat which produces deliciously golden-brown crusts on each patty.
Start with a heavy pan or baking sheet coated in cooking oil and use this to shape eight equal-sized patties from the seasoned meat, placing each on your prepared surface. Press your thumb down in each one to prevent shrinkage during baking.
Bake the burgers for 20-25 minutes or until they register 160 degrees on a digital meat thermometer. If desired, top each patty with American cheese slices and return it to the oven until melted – this step may need to be repeated after adding cheese as well. When your burgers have finished baking, serve on buns with any desired toppings or condiments for maximum juiciness and moisture-retaining potential – perhaps spread with some butter or olive oil prior to plating them for maximum moisture and freshness!