Probably some beef cuts, maybe some lamb chops and definitely lots of boerewors. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a burger at the typical braai, let alone one with a homemade patty. Even if you’ve never braaied a burger before, one part of the process is obvious. Dry and bland patties don’t make for a good burger. Here are a few simple tips to help you join the ranks of braai masters who can grill a burger to perfection:
Use Charcoal
Before you grab the condiments, eggs, meat, and ingredients for your preferred side dishes, you need to make sure you’re using charcoal instead of a gas grill. There’s no denying that braaing with gas is far easier, but it can’t match the flavour that charcoal adds to your meat. Also make sure you let your grill preheat before you start braaing, as this removes some of the residue left from previous use.
Make Your Own Patty
Beef is the most popular choice of meat for burger patties. While you’re making your patty, add a bit of Worcestershire sauce, onion and egg to bind your beef together. Then add some high-quality mayonnaise to give the patty some moisture. As you’re squeezing together the ingredients needed to make your patty, make sure you’re not overdoing it. The goal is to make consistent patties, and squeezing them too tight could ruin the texture of the patty.
Pay Attention to Your Grilling
This is what could make or break your patty. It’s crucial that you pay attention to this part of the process, as failure to do so may result in overcooking. You can avoid this by not letting your grill get too hot and by resisting the urge to flip your patties too often. Ideally, your burger should only be flipped once. If needs be, add some more seasoning to each side, but that should be enough. All the juices that leak out of the patty and stoke the flame should ideally ooze into the bun and cheese for extra flavour.
Don’t Ignore the Sides
People rarely have a burger on its own. While most burgers are accompanied by fries, that’s not the only option that’s available. Creamed spinach, potato salad, coleslaw, mielies, onion rings and avocado salad are just a few viable substitutes for fries. There’s no hard and fast rule to choosing a replacement. Just let your taste buds lead the way. If you keep the above-mentioned tips in mind, your next braai is sure to be lightyears ahead of the previous ones you had.
