Steps for Crispy Golden Fries

There is no end to the number of tasty burgers you can make, however here are 12 that will make your mouth water.

By J. Kenji Lpez-AltJ. Kenji Lpez-Alt writes a column for The New York Times on food and science, and he establishes recipes and appears in videos for NYT Cooking. He is likewise the developer and host of Kenji's Cooking Program on YouTube. This video and post belong to, our series on cooking area fundamentals.

Credit ... Adam CentrellaAs a professional chef, food author and cookbook author, I have actually spent the last 20 years of my career carefully researching and evaluating recipes, strategies and widely accepted kitchen area wisdom to find out the whys of cooking. Over this time, I've run several hamburger joints and even composed a regular monthly column for Serious Eats called the Hamburger Laboratory, in which I separated and checked every possible variable that can affect the flavor and texture of a hamburger.

But that does not imply you can't intend for something better. Here are the most essential suggestions I have actually found for enhancing your hamburger experience, whether in the backyard or the kitchen. Working ground beef excessive can cause it to become dense. Credit ... Ryan Liebe for The New York City Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Optimal Heat Management for Better Seared Patties

In bread, this can be a good idea, however with burgers, overhandling can create an undesirable dense texture. (Incorporating extenders, like eggs or breadcrumbs, or additional spices, like onions and herbs, likewise requires you to strain the meat and sidetrack from the beef flavor, so skip it.) Salting the beyond your patties keeps their texture loose and tender.

This is an excellent thing in sausages, which need to have a firm texture, however with burgers, you want looseness. A hamburger must be tender, with plenty of pockets for juices and rendered fat to collect.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Whether you're making a huge burger on the grill or a crisp-edged smash hamburger on a frying pan, browning is taste, and high heat is key. For thicker grilled or griddled hamburgers, wait till your pan or grill is hot before adding the patties, and cook them till they're well browned on both sides.

This maximizes flavor while keeping juiciness. Do not let your patties sit around on the cutting board (or worse, a steam table). Hamburgers are at their best fresh from the fire, before any juices have had an opportunity to leak out.

Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

A Complete Guide to Smashed Cooking Perfection

Upgraded May 7, 2026, 8:42 a.m. CTI've constantly been a burger fan. Growing up, I 'd gladly munch them down at sit-down restaurants and from the drive-thru getting back from gymnastics practice. I 'd crush the soft bun and let catsup dribble down the sides over my fingers. If there were any little melty American cheese leavings stuck on the wrapper, I 'd drag my french fries through them (I still do this).

Capture me on the ideal day and I might confess that a cheeseburger is my preferred food. Really, I may say that on most days. And you may say the exact same. But even if you do, it's most likely we don't have the same concept of what makes the best burger.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

I kept some old favorites, added some new ones and continued to leave off the ones I understand individuals like however I simply. Maybe I haven't tried your preferred burger. Perhaps I'm out to get you (simply joking).

Let me share with you what makes the ideal hamburger for me. Let's begin with the patty.

When I bite in, I require to see a little sparkle, some sparkling from the beef and perhaps a little grease diminishing the sides. When I see a smashburger on the menu, I always opt for a double patty. Smashburger or not, the patty must be scorched to help secure the juices, but not too crusty.