Steaming Burgers: A Quick, Healthy Cooking Guide

Steaming is a great way to cook a burger, and it's not as common as you might think. It's a healthy option as it cuts out the need for oils and fats, and it's also a quick and easy method that yields juicy results. You can steam a burger in a few simple steps: season and shape your beef into a patty, place it in a steamer basket or rack over a pot of boiling water, and cook for around 7-10 minutes. Then, add cheese and leave to melt. Serve on a bun with your favourite toppings and condiments.

Choosing the right ground beef

First, it is recommended to use ground beef with a higher fat content for steamed burgers. Look for ground beef with a ratio of 80% lean and 20% fat. This combination will result in juicier burgers. If you can't find ground beef with this exact ratio, aim for something close, but avoid anything leaner than 85% as it can make the burgers dry and tough. Ground chuck, a cut from the shoulder, is an ideal choice for burger patties as it has a good balance of fat and flavour.

Secondly, when it comes to seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or you can add additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, or oregano. You can also add sauces like Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce to the meat mixture for extra flavour. However, be careful not to overwork the meat when mixing in the seasonings and sauces, as this can make the burgers tough.

Lastly, when forming the patties, divide the meat mixture into equal portions, about 1/4 pound each, and shape them into patties that match the size of your hamburger buns. It's a good idea to make a slight indentation in the centre of each patty by pressing your thumb in the middle. This will help the patties cook evenly and prevent them from puffing up in the centre.

By choosing the right ground beef and following these preparation tips, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and juicy steamed burgers.

Preparing the steamer

You can steam burgers in a few different types of cookware. You can use a steamer basket, a double boiler, a Dutch oven, a large pot, or a large deep skillet. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can make a DIY version by placing a cookie cooling rack with legs in a large skillet with a lid. Just make sure the legs are tall enough that you can add water without it touching the rack.

For a double boiler, clean and dry two empty 6-oz. tuna cans thoroughly. Season your beef and stuff it into one of the tuna cans. Fill the other can halfway with cheese.

For other types of cookware, fill the bottom with water. The water level should be close to the bottom of the steamer or rack but should not touch it. If using a steamer basket, fill it with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil or a simmer over medium heat.

Cooking the patty

To cook the patty, start by seasoning the ground beef with salt, pepper, or any other seasoning of your choice. You can also add sauces like Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavour. Mix the seasoning and sauce with the beef, but be careful not to overwork the meat as this can make the burgers tough.

Divide the seasoned meat into equal portions, usually around 1/4 to 1/3 pound each, and shape them into patties. The size of the patty should match the size of your hamburger buns. To ensure even cooking, create a slight indentation in the centre of each patty by pressing your thumb in the middle.

Place the patties in a single layer in your steamer basket or rack. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the patties for about 7 to 10 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired doneness, ranging from medium-rare to well-done.

After steaming, remove the patties from the heat and top them with cheese. Cover the steamer again and let the residual heat melt the cheese, which usually takes around 1 to 2 minutes.

Note that the USDA recommends cooking burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure all bacteria are killed.

Melting the cheese

First, remove the pan from the heat and open the lid. Quickly add a slice of cheese to each burger. You can use American cheese, Velveeta, Swiss, Muenster, cheddar, or any other melty cheese of your choice. If you're using shredded cheese, make sure to form dents in the burgers with your fingers before steaming, to ensure optimal cheese distribution.

Cover the pan again and let the cheese melt for about 1 to 2 minutes. During this time, you can warm your buns in the microwave for about 15 seconds or toast them if you prefer.

Once the cheese is melted, use a spatula to transfer the burgers to the bottom buns. Place the roll tops on the burgers and serve immediately while they're still hot.

Assembling the burger

Now that you've cooked your burger patty and prepared your bun, it's time to assemble your steamed burger.

First, place the patty on the bottom half of the bun. If you're making a cheeseburger, you'll want to add the cheese to the patty before adding any other toppings. Place a slice of cheese on top of the patty, and let it melt. You can also try pouring the cheese over the patty, or adding shredded cheese to the patty and letting it melt.

Next, add your desired toppings. You can add lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced onion, pickles, or anything else you like on your burger.

Finally, place the top half of the bun on top of the patty and toppings, and your burger is ready to serve. You can also add condiments to the top or bottom bun before placing it on the burger.

Frequently asked questions