Ground beef has fueled the heart of this nation since the late 19th century. A staple to backyard BBQs and urban diners alike, the hamburger has been satisfying American’s hunger since the first bite. There is been historic dispute on who exactly invented the hamburger, but one thing is indisputable; the hamburger is American, through and through.
Recipes are as varied as people’s tastes. And because burger is made up of ground beef, it’s easy to mix with plenty of ingredient variations to make a signature flavor. People have been known to mix everything with burger from hot sauce to molasses to pumpkin spice, for a seasonal spin.
But a real crowd pleaser sure to satisfy the most discriminating of tastes start with a ½ lbs. ground beef. In a bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon dark brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper. Shape four patties, cook to your liking and enjoy.
What makes the perfect burger is a touchy subject, especially to Americans. Offering a stage for chefs to express themselves, the hamburger is a metaphorical blank canvas. But a tried and true recipe to keep happy the biggest snob can be found in the mixture above. And please don’t skimp on the bun quality.