The Story of How Homemade Hamburgers Are the Best

Homemade hamburgers are the best!

Everyone, let's make hamburgers.

Or rather, first, let's make hamburger patties. It's easy.

They are incredibly delicious.

To give you an idea of how good they are, they easily beat fast-food hamburger patties.

I love Kua 'Aina's hamburgers, but...

I can't beat theirs.

The smokiness of the grill, plus the bread, the cheese, and the overall combination—I'm still a step behind.

And Tsubame Grill's hamburger steak, too. I can't beat that either...

But you know, for that simple, rustic deliciousness that rivals high-end restaurants, homemade is number one.

When you combine cost-performance and time-performance, homemade hamburger patties are the best. Plus, they're easy. There's no reason not to make them.

The world's easiest hamburger recipe

My super simple way to make hamburger patties.

What you need is as follows.

1. First, make breadcrumbs. It's done in a few seconds by whizzing it in a food chopper.

For a typical Japanese family of four, you probably don't need a large, imported food chopper.

Actually, something like this Panasonic one is easier to use and doesn't take up much space.

You can use any leftover bread. Usually, the recipe above calls for about two slices, or an appropriate amount of breadcrumbs.

When chopping the bread, chop the onion along with it.

Ideally, you should thinly slice the onion, sauté it in a frying pan until browned, let it cool, and then mix it into the hamburger meat.

However, that's a hassle.
It's for people who have time to spare.

Just chop the onion together when making the breadcrumbs.

You won't get that charred, savory flavor, but you can fully enjoy the sweetness of the onion.

2. After that, mix the ground meat, breadcrumbs, and onion together.

Add an appropriate amount of milk and knead. About half a cup should be enough.

If you can shape the mixed meat into a ball and it doesn't fall apart, you're good to go.

3. Next, divide the mixture from above into eight equal portions (or as you like), shape them into patties, and arrange them in a frying pan.

Then, cover with a lid and cook on the lowest heat possible for 5 minutes on one side and 5 minutes on the other.

Brown both sides. If they aren't browned, cover and steam-cook for a few more minutes.

That's it, you're done. A 3-step, 30-minute course.

It takes a long time to write about it, but once you start making it, it's done in 30 minutes.

When you steam-cook it, the authentic aroma of a hamburger restaurant spreads throughout the room. It smells delicious.

Oh, don't forget.

Once the hamburger is cooked, wipe off the excess oil with a paper towel. Leave just a little bit of oil.

Add ketchup and sauce in a 1:1 ratio.
Squeeze them into the frying pan in a triple-circle pattern.
Then, simmer on low heat until it boils.

At this point, use a spatula to mix the meat juices into each sauce so that it blends well in the pan.

And with that, the hamburger sauce is complete.

It's super easy, and it's hard to find a sauce better than this.

On the first day of making hamburgers, I like to eat them with freshly cooked rice and miso soup.

A hamburger set meal. It's such a happy, rich, and homey menu.

Perhaps this is an even more powerful home-cooked recipe than a nikujaga (meat and potato) set meal.

Now, about the recipe above.

You might be thinking, 'Isn't that too many hamburgers?'

That is intentional.

Even if two people eat them, there should still be about six hamburgers left over.

You can also make it a hamburger steak set meal again.

Or, for a change of pace, let's try making homemade hamburgers.

These are just the best.

The recipe calls for burger buns. Something like these.

I bought a 10-pack of Yamazaki bread at Costco.

And some cheddar cheese from Costco, too.
If you keep this in the freezer, you'll have infinite cheese!

Then, just add your favorite vegetables.

Lettuce, potherb mustard, cucumbers, and so on.

Add an egg if you like.
I'll make a fried egg.

Sandwich these together and it's done.

A homemade hamburger.

The best part is that you can sandwich whatever you like.

Of course, pour on plenty of the sauce you made on the first day.

If you run out, just mix in some extra ketchup, sauce, and mayonnaise.

This is just so delicious.

I never realized hamburgers could be this delicious.

I end up eating two without thinking. But two is too many. I regret it later.

And then there's the hand-kneaded hamburger patty. It's so thick, isn't it?

If you cut it in half horizontally while it's cold, it becomes the perfect size.

You can enjoy a double burger.

Making hamburger patties this way gives you twice the enjoyment.

And what is it about this deliciousness that is so devastatingly good?

Whether you're a couple just starting to date, or partners who have been together for years.

Or, of course, if you're on your own and want to make a super luxurious version with your favorite toppings.

Hamburger patties are simple, delicious, and a happy flavor.

Other recipe notes.

Today's bonus

Recommended cooking goods.

As long as you don't use high heat, Tefal frying pans are a sure bet.
We've been using ours for 10 years and it's still fine. The frying pan we use the most is now on its second generation.

Since the handles are interchangeable, it saves space.
Above all, they are easy to wash. They are non-stick, require less oil, and aren't heavy.
I don't think there's a better frying pan out there.

I also added an egg pan.

Yamaki's flying fish dashi has a strong flavor.
It's delicious even when used in small amounts. It's also great value for money.

I want you to try it at least once.
It goes especially well with sashimi.
Yamaki's flying fish dashi, bonito flakes, and this soy sauce are the holy trinity of Japanese seasonings. It's culinary magic.

You can turn bonito flakes into a topping in no time by putting them on a plate and microwaving for 40 seconds.
Natto, Japanese-style pasta, chilled tofu.
Just sprinkling it on transforms the flavor, upgrading it by two stars.
It's easy, so give it a try.

My first Tefal electric kettle's switch broke in less than a year.
But the second one is still working perfectly after more than 10 years.
It's convenient to have. Or rather, it's a necessity.
For appliances like this, simpler is better and less likely to break.

A handy item to have in every home.
It's smaller compared to overseas products. That's exactly why it saves space.
It has plenty of power.
For hamburger patties, grated daikon radish, and making homemade sauces.
I've been using this for 10 years too, and it's never broken. As expected from Panasonic.