A specialty that we imported from Anglo-Saxon culinary culture, the hamburger has fully entered Italian cuisine as well. It is indeed a main meat course that is as tasty as it is easy to prepare, and loved by adults and children alike. It is essentially a simple medallion of ground meat - usually beef is used - which closely resembles our traditional meatballs.

However, not all burgers are created equal, especially if we want to prepare homemade hamburgers, which are definitely healthier and more genuine. Some serve them piping hot with a fresh salad or French fries, preferably cooked on a grill or electric griddle, while others prefer to enjoy them with a side of caramelized onions, and those who love eating them in a bun topped with cheese and sauces. Let's discover how to make hamburgers with an authentic taste that are tender to the bite, along with some tips to cook them with a tasty twist.

Which meat to choose

For flavorful and juicy homemade hamburgers, it is fundamental to choose the right meat. While for a cooking method that is as distinct as it is pleasant and healthy it is advisable to choose an Ariete electric griddle or grill, beef is the most suitable meat for preparing a traditional hamburger; even better if it is veal, which is easier to digest and has a delicate flavor.

In any case, make sure the meat comes from a lean cut, so that it can cook in less time and have a better texture on the palate. Chefs at the best steakhouses recommend using meat that has been ground twice, so that our mixture blends perfectly. Furthermore, to obtain an even better texture and bind the meat better, it is common practice to add some potatoes to the mixture, without overdoing it.

How to make hamburgers

Once we have bought the suitable ground meat, we can proceed with the homemade hamburger recipe. For 4 patties, we will need 500 grams of ground beef, 1 potato, salt, and 1 teaspoon of very finely chopped fresh parsley. First, boil the potatoes with the skin on and, when soft, drain and mash them with a potato masher. Let them cool and proceed with preparing the mixture.

To do this, mix together the ground meat, boiled potatoes, a pinch of salt, and the finely chopped parsley. At this point, we can work the mixture directly with our hands, until the compound is homogeneous. This means there should be no lumps or pieces, and it must feel compact and malleable to the touch. Now divide the mixture into 4, make rather large meatballs and flatten them, shaping them on the sides at the same time. Before cooking, add a teaspoon of oil on both sides of each hamburger.

Hamburgers with Ariete electric grill: tasty tips

When talking about homemade hamburgers, the combinations can be endless, for a mix of aromas and textures that is truly surprising. As we will see, besides the most classic recipe, we can enhance the flavor of the meat - and the softness of the bun in the case of a sandwich - with many other ingredients. Regarding cooking, the most indicated method remains using a griddle or an electric grill like the Ariete ones, all with different and specific functions for hamburgers too.

Moving on to tips for much more "exotic" recipes, we can first of all add a spicy note with chili pepper, together with minced onion, garlic, and parsley, to make the hamburger even more appetizing. If spicy is not liked, opt for chives or spices like curry, turmeric, or ginger.

In addition, adding special sauces other than ketchup and mayonnaise can help. Make room then for a sauce made of a mixture of yogurt and mustard, for a grilled hamburger different from the usual. If we want to make a sandwich, try to replace the type of bread with spiced or cereal varieties, or even wrap the hamburger with buffalo mozzarella cut thick and just seared on the grill.

Homemade Chickpea Burgers: the vegan alternative

Who said that homemade hamburgers don't go well with a vegetarian or vegan diet? For a tasty dinner, we can replace the ground meat for completely plant-based recipes, like that of chickpea burgers. This recipe will help us get even the little ones to eat legumes, for a flavorful and complete dish from a nutritional point of view.

To make chickpea burgers, let's start by preparing a base of chopped shallot and carrot, and let it brown in a pan with a drizzle of oil. Drain 450 grams of cooked chickpeas and transfer them to the pan with the vegetable base, add a few spoons of vegetable broth, and turn off the heat as soon as the broth has completely dried up. Now join the hot chickpeas with breadcrumbs and finely chopped parsley, and season with salt.

Now let's go and mash the chickpeas with a spoon coarsely and try to form large flattened meatballs with a shape similar to a hamburger. We just have to cook our chickpea burgers without added oil and fats searing them directly on the electric grill or on a griddle.