BACKYARD BURGER BLISS – EASY HOMEMADE

Let’s get grilling. There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked burger, hot off the grill, dripping with juicy goodness and piled high with your favorite toppings. Today, we’ll walk you through grilling some delicious beef burgers and whip up a simple, but oh-so-satisfying sauce to take them over the top.

Here are a couple of tips before we dive in:

• Pick the right grind: An 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is ideal for burgers. It keeps them moist and flavorful without being greasy.
• Don’t overmix: Gently combine your ground beef with just some seasoning. Overworking it can make the burgers tough.
• Forming patties: Use your hands to gently form them, making a slight indentation in the center to help prevent them from puffing up in the middle while cooking.

Now, let’s gather what we need:

• For the Burgers:
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • Hamburger buns
• For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish (optional)
  • Pinch of paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Alright, with everything prepped, we’re ready to fire up the grill!

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, let the coals get nice and ashy.
2. Combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overwork it!
3. Form the burger patties. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them gently into patties that are slightly larger than your hamburger buns. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty.
4. Lightly oil the grill grates. Place the patties on the preheated grill and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness is reached. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the patty should read 160°F (71°C) for medium-rare.
5. While the burgers are cooking, whip up your sauce! In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pickle relish (if using), paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir it all together until nice and smooth.
6. Toast your hamburger buns, if desired. You can do this on the grill alongside the burgers or under the broiler for a few seconds.
7. Once the burgers are cooked, assemble your masterpiece! Place the burger patty on the toasted bun, top it with your favorite toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.), and drizzle generously with your homemade sauce.

There you have it! Delicious homemade grilled burgers bursting with flavor and a simple, but addictive sauce to tie it all together. Enjoy!