How do I keep burgers from turning brown before cooking?

Question

When I make burgers and refrigerate them they turn all or partially brown in color prior to cooking. Is there something I can add to the beef mixture to keep the hamburger beef red in color ?

Answer 1

The only reason that meat stays red for as long as it does is that it's injected with a dye to keep it red. I don't know if you've ever noticed, perhaps on a steak or some cut of roast, there might be what looks like an injection site (higher concentration of red dye), looks like a pin prick...this is done to keep the meat looking more appealing to the consumer and has no other benefit except visual appeal. The browning of the meat occurs when the dye starts to wear off and air gets to the meat. Simply cook the meat sooner, but try to keep it in an airtight container or zip-lock bag sealed well until you cook them.

Answer 2

Either buy the meat the day before or that day that you are going to cook it. Otherwise freeze it when you buy it --- then the day before you are going to cook with it put it in your fridge so it slowly thaws. Once my meat turns brown I throw it away --- it not worth taking a chance. Besides as someone else also said the stores can "doctor it up" to make it look fresh so it could be old to begin with when you purchase it. Always check the sell by date. Also if it's marked down/on sale it may be a sign it's been sitting a while.

Answer 3

When the meat turns to a brownish color the meat is getting older and you really shouldn't use it. You should us it while it's fresh. You can also freeze the burger meat until ready to use. Make burger patties and freeze them that way. Make sure you put wax or foil paper between the burgers if you stack them so the don't freeze together. Put them in a freezer bag. You can pull out the burgers when you ready to use them. That way it is always good in color.

Answer 4

Meat extender. Ask your local butcher about it and then duck for cover as he denies he uses it and throws you out. Makes 2 week old mince look like new. Could be that the meat you are buying is 2 weeks old.

Answer 5

the warmer the tempurature, the browner they will get. From the freezer to the fridg could happen. Maybe too long in the fridg.
Maybe not hamburger at all...

Answer 6

don't leave them in the refrigerator so long before cooking
1 day at most

Answer 7

it's the air that makes them go brown so you need to keep them in an airtight container.

Answer 8

Use fresher meat.