How do you make your burger as flavorful as fast food burgers?

Question

My burgers always taste the same. Just a very boring, faint beef taste. Even with good meat, salt and pepper doesn't seem to do the trick...

I like the flavorful taste of a good fast food burger.
I don't think BBQ sauce, soy sauce, etc would do it.

Heard something about onion soup base - that sounds a lot more promising. Onion stuff is pretty flavorful.

Any suggestions?

Also, is it better to mix powdery ingredients or just sprinkle them on top?

Answer 1

Cook it in lard, like the fast food companies do.

Answer 2

I personally think it is the opposite and that homemade even taste better. But it depends what restaurant and what ingredients you use. It just takes a little more time and the correct ingredients to make the best homemade burger, while at the same same, it being still healthy. Tips for great, and healthier homemade burger: -DO NOT buy hamburger patties from the store, make your own. Buy lean chunk of meat. And ground it up yourself, add pepper, onion, and other spices. If you don't have a grinder, just buy already ground meat. At least it won't have chemicals added like the store bought paddies do. -Buy Bakery fresh hamburger buns -toast your bun, that is what many fast food places do -Some other good things are: lettuce, tomato, dill pickle, onion, ketchup, mustard, mayo, Cheddar cheese, cucumber etc.

Answer 3

Mine are better than fast food. I form the burgers with ground chuck, sprinkle w/ kosher salt and ground black pepper, then add a dash or two of worcestershire on the patties as I wait for the grill or pan to heat up. (Grill's best, IMO). YOu can also dust them w/ a bit of onion powder, if you like.

Then toss on a hot grill. DO NOT SQUEEZE or PRESS them with a spatula! That just extracts moisture, NOT fat. Cook until just turned from pink to brown inside.

Answer 4

Lipton Onion Soup - it's the best thing since sliced bread!

(Also makes a phenomenal meatloaf!)

Directions are on the packaging...

Answer 5

Onion soup base, or dry ranch dressing, I use garlic powder, pepper, salt and a little chili powder.

Answer 6

Make sure you start with hamburger and not just ground beef. Also, I use Lawry's seasoned salt on mine. They always come out fresh and juicy - better than fast food!

Answer 7

I know burger kind cooks in the complete grease discusting

Answer 8

a little bit of butter in the middle of the patty when your forming it helps to keep it juicy from the inside out

Answer 9

extra grease

Answer 10

Aji no moto.