Do you want to know how to make perfectly shaped hamburger patties every time? I am going to show you how I learned to do it in Culinary School. Actually, I was surprised that I had not ever thought of doing it this way.
When I make hamburger patties, I get so frustrated trying to press the center of my raw patties so that they will cook more evenly, and they split around the edges. Then I am trying to shape the patties again by pressing the edges, and the burger gets too thick in the center again. I will usually purchase a large package of hamburger meat and make a few patties to grill that day, and I make a couple of bags of hamburger patties to freeze for later. This will save you so much time in the future.
In Culinary School, we serve the most beautiful and delicious hamburgers. Our burgers look like something out of a food magazine. The secret is to get a perfectly shaped hamburger patty before you place the patty on the grill.
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The Secret
The secret I learned, is using a lid to a large mayonnaise jar. You can use any large lid or even a tuna can. I have also used a small plastic bowl, but a lid will work the best. You need parchment paper so the patties will not stick to the lid. If you do not have parchment paper, plastic wrap will work also. I freeze some of my patties, so I like using the parchment paper for the freezer. You will need scissors to cut the parchment paper into squares.
Place a handful of hamburger meat into a lid lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. You have to have the lid lined with the paper, or you will never get the patty out of the lid in one piece.
Press the hamburger patty flat.
Lift the edge of the paper to remove the hamburger patties, and they are ready to be seasoned for the grill if you have not seasoned the meat before shaping into patties.
Having perfectly shaped hamburger patties will help your burger to cook evenly. I usually place the perfectly shaped hamburger patties into a freezer bag if I am not cooking the hamburgers that day.
You may also like my Meal Prep tips to get meals on the table faster.
Sally says
This is really a great tip! Thanks for sharing? I like my burgers shaped evenly so they cook well and don’t fall apart. In the the course of trying to make perfectly shaped patties, I felt like my hands were going to freeze. Now I want to go make some burgers!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
I haven’t ever really gave it much thought either, like you I’m to busy trying to keep the edges together. This is a great idea for the perfect pattie, and for keeping the edges together. Thank you for sharing this great tip!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
I’m going to share this with my son Sherry. He was asking me how to make burgers the other day. This is a great tutorial and one that he will appreciate.
Kathryn says
So easy and such a “duh” moment for me. It makes complete sense. Thanks for sharing! I will have to try this. I love simple tips!
Nikki says
How cool is this. I should have known that you went to culinary school, I love all of your recipes. I shared this on Facebook and my husband, who does all the grilling, immediately read it and liked it. He is a huge grilling fanatic, he belongs to a Weber grilling sites and interacts and several groups for grilling. So your post was a huge hit! Thanks for sharing your tips we will be using them this Summer! Nothing is better than a burger that looks as good as it tastes, is it?
Roberta Morris Corso says
Great tip….tried it today and my burgers are perfectly shaped and all the same size for even cooking. Super easy and fast. Thanks so much for this tip.
Sherry says
Thank you so much for letting me know how it worked. Don’t you just love perfect patties?
Maria Brittis says
Great tips especially for turkey burgers that fall apart so easy. Ill never look at a cover top the same again.
Maria
Carolann says
Oh nice one! I love learning new food hacks. I never thought to use a lid! Love the perfect size and shape. Thank you!
FLORENCE says
This IS so clever. Using a lid is something I never would have thought of. I have the same problem…splitting around the edges. I love the simplicity of this tip!
Barbara Chapman says
Great idea using the lid of a large jar! I’ll have to try that when I pick up some hamburger meat the next time. Happily pinning to my Yummy board!
Barb 🙂