Marianne Martinez
Steamed burgers are a unique take on the traditional burger. They are believed to have originated in Connecticut, USA, and are said to be cooked in a stainless-steel steaming box that steams the burgers and cheese together. This method of cooking melts away the fats in the meat, resulting in a moist and juicy burger. Steamed burgers can be made at home using a pan and a steamer basket or rack, filled with water that comes close to the bottom of the steamer but does not touch it. The beef is mixed with seasonings and formed into patties, which are then placed on the steamer rack and cooked for around 7-8 minutes. After steaming, the burgers are assembled with melted cheese and desired toppings, creating a tender and flavourful burger with no grease splatter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pan | Large deep skillet or frying pan |
| Water level | Close to the bottom of the steamer/rack but does not touch it |
| Meat | Lean ground beef with an 80/20% fat ratio |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, or hamburger seasoning |
| Toppings | Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, bacon, or relish |
| Sides | French fries, coleslaw, salad, or macaroni salad |
| Temperature | Medium heat |
| Timing | Steam for 7-8 minutes, then add cheese and cover for 2 minutes |
| Storage | Resealable plastic bag, plastic wrap, or airtight container |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your ingredients: beef, cheese, salt, pepper, and any toppings
To prepare your ingredients, you will need ground beef, cheese, salt, and pepper. For the beef, opt for lean ground beef with an 80/20% fat ratio; this will make your burgers juicy. You will need a mixing bowl to combine the beef with salt and pepper, and optionally, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
For the cheese, choose a variety that melts well, such as American cheese, Velveeta, Swiss, Muenster, or thinly sliced cheddar. If you're feeling adventurous, you can go for a smoky gouda.
Now, it's time to form your beef mixture into patties. Use a patty press or a biscuit cutter to shape the burgers. You can also use the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten the beef mixture into rounds. Don't forget to make a dent in the center of each patty with your thumb or finger; this is important for the best cheese distribution!
Finally, gather any toppings you desire. You can go for the classics like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. If you want to spice things up, try adding hot green chile, or top your burger with bacon and a spread of spicy mayonnaise.
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Form the beef into patties
To form the beef into patties, start by mixing the ground beef with your desired seasonings. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with your own blend of hamburger seasoning. For a classic steamed cheeseburger, you can follow the lead of some restaurants and add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to your beef.
Once you've mixed your seasonings into the beef, it's time to shape the patties. You can use a biscuit cutter that matches the size of your burger bun to ensure uniform patties. Another option is to use your hands to form the beef into rounds, and then use the bottom of a drinking glass to press each patty until it reaches your desired diameter. Aim for a size that is slightly larger than your bun, as the patties will shrink during cooking.
After shaping your patties, use your thumb to make a small indentation in the center of each one. This will help the burgers maintain a flat shape during cooking, rather than puffing up or shrinking unevenly.
If you plan to serve your burgers with cheese, you can create pockets in the patties to hold the cheese as it melts. Simply use your fingers to make a few dents in the surface of the patties before placing them in the steamer.
Finally, transfer your patties to a parchment-lined sheet pan and chill them in the refrigerator for about an hour before steaming. This will help the burgers hold their shape during cooking.
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Prepare your pan and steamer
To prepare your pan and steamer for steaming a burger, you will need a large pot or deep skillet, a rack that fits inside, and a lid. The rack can be a metal vegetable steamer, a cooling rack with legs, or a wire rack from a toaster oven. If you don't have a rack, you can use a biscuit cutter or a patty press to shape your burger patty. You will also need a sheet of parchment paper and some aluminium foil.
First, fill your large pot or deep skillet with water. The water level should be close to the bottom of your rack but not touching it. Then, bring the water to a boil.
While the water is heating up, prepare your burger patty. For a classic steamed cheeseburger, use 80/20 ground beef, mixing in a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper. Form the seasoned beef into a thin patty. You can use a biscuit cutter that is the same size as your bun to shape the patty. Use your thumb to make a dent in the centre of the patty to ensure an even bun-to-meat ratio, as the patty will shrink during cooking.
Once the water is boiling, place the rack inside the pot or skillet, and put the patty on the rack. If you don't have a rack, you can place a slice of onion on the patty to steam it directly in the water. Cover the pot or skillet with a lid and let the patty steam for about 7 to 8 minutes.
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Steam the patties for 7-8 minutes
Once you've got your pan set up, it's time to steam the patties. This should take around 7-8 minutes. The exact time will depend on how well done you like your burgers. For a medium-rare burger, you'll want to steam for around 7 minutes. If you prefer your burger more on the medium side, go for 8 minutes. Keep in mind that steaming your burger for too long can make it dry, so be careful not to overdo it.
While the patties are steaming, you can prepare your hamburger buns and any desired toppings. Split the buns and lightly toast them if you like them that way. You can also add toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, and pickles.
If you're using a metal steamer basket, make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil, then place the patties in the steamer basket in a single layer. Cover the pot with a lid and let the magic happen.
After steaming, remove the patties from the heat and top them with cheese. The residual heat will melt the cheese, giving your burger that extra gooey goodness. Cover the patties again for a minute or two to help the cheese melt evenly.
Now it's time to assemble your burger. Place the steamed patty with melted cheese on the bottom half of your prepared bun. Add your desired toppings and finish it off with the top bun. Serve your burger while it's still hot and enjoy the juicy, tender goodness of a perfectly steamed burger!
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Assemble your cheeseburger
To assemble your cheeseburger, first place the bottom buns on plates. You can spread condiments on the bottom buns while the cheese is melting. When the cheese is nice and melty, use a spatula to move the patty on top of the bottom bun. You can also add desired toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices, and pickles. Finally, place the top bun on the patty and serve right away while it's hot.
You can pair your steamed cheeseburger with a variety of side dishes, such as French fries, coleslaw, or a salad, to create a well-rounded meal.
If you want to store your steamed cheeseburger, it's ideal to place it in a resealable plastic bag, wrap it in plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness and moisture.
You can also freeze steamed cheeseburgers, but freezing can affect their texture and quality. If you do choose to freeze them, let the burgers cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag.
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