Getting Creative With Hamburger?

@gtargirl (5376)
United States
July 23, 2009 4:02pm CST
The ground beef is thawing and I'm cutting up the potatoes for french fries. What can I add to the ground beef to make awesome hamburgers. The kids are already looking at the meat and saying Blah! And we don't do burgers very often. What do you add to ground beef for a unique home-made burger?
7 people like this
28 responses
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
23 Jul 09
I always add a small square of cheese to the middle of the burger pattie when I make them. My kids love them that way. Especially when they cut into them and see the melted cheese oozing out of it. :)
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Nice. Very creative and tasty. Love melted cheese. Thanks elemental.
4 people like this
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Jul 09
Cooper Sharp Cheese - Photo of Cooper Sharp Cheese
oooo I really like this idea element- I am a huge cheese lover and thought of a big chunck of cooper sharp cheese smack dab in the middle.....thanks cuz my mouth is now watering...lol. will definitley try this recipe this weekend;)
2 people like this
@kcoregon (302)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Well my husband like the Lipton Onion Soup powdered mix added to his hamburgers, it gives them more flavor than plain beef. Personally I like mine with no seasonings. I don't think the beef really needs it though most people season them somehow. My thought is that you can always enhance the flavor of a hamburger with the toppings. Why not let the kids pick out some toppings they might like? Fried Onion Rings are always a hit on top of the burger. Bacon, tomato, lettuce, red onions, cheddar, mozerella and spaghetti sauce, romaine lettuce, ranch dressing, italian dressing (in fact we do a marinade for steaks with half italian and half worchestershire sauce that might be a good way to season the burgers), potato chips, pickles, ketchup, mustard, grainy mustard, etc. There are so many different things to add. Set up the toppings like a buffet and the kids will have fun piling them on. Also next time try adding a bit of ground pork to the ground beef, it has more flavor. Hope that helps!
5 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Wow!!! Flavor outburst here. LOL. Pretty awesome. I'm thinking the buffet style is sounding pretty good. I'll have to check the pantry and see if we have Lipton Onion Soup. We usually do to make a quick dip for chips. Thanks, kcoregon.
4 people like this
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Jul 09
Lipton French Onion Soup/ Dip Mix - Picture of a packet of Lipton's French Onion Seasoning
I've used the Lipton French Onion for my hamburgers too- they give it a lil extra kick! I also like to make the dip on the side as a spread for the burger ;)
@GardenGerty (157045)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Our local store had made gourmet burgers from time to time. One thing they did was put bacon bits and cheddar cheese IN the meat. Their black and bleu burger had blue cheese crumbles and black pepper. I am not sure what else you may want to do. Lipton onion soup powder mixed in would be good, it would probably have instructions on how much on the package. Mix in the powdered ranch seasoning. Lots of different seasonings do well in burgers. Do not overcook the meat, though.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
The Ranch seasoning mix sounds delish.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
23 Jul 09
make your patties 1/2 as thick as usual...then put some pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese on 1/2 of the patties. then take the plain ones and put them on top of the decorated ones. seal the edges. Now cook. When they bite in they will get a pizza burger.
3 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
23 Jul 09
We have made taco burgers many times, hubby loves them. But haven't tried the pizza burgers yet, I have all the ingredients to try..
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
23 Jul 09
That is awesome!!!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Jul 09
All kids should like garlic. Add some chopped up garlic cloves in it and maybe even add some garlic powder on it and if you have croutons maybe crush them up to make some good crumbs and now you have a garlic beef hamburger that most kids really enjoy. Adults should like it to and hopefully you will too and your kids. Hope this helps you out some and have a good dinner.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
23 Jul 09
We are definitely a love-that-garlic type family so I can't miss with that. Though I've never put it in hamburgers . . . go figure. Crushing croutons is different. I'll definitely try it. Thanks lologirl.
3 people like this
• United States
23 Jul 09
You might add some onion powder or garlic powder. Also some worstechiere sauce... can't spell it... we always called it "rooster chaser" sauce. Even a tablespoon of mustard might add quite a bit of flavor along with the powders. If you have some Tony's it's good in about anything!!!
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Never thought of adding Worcester Sauce(I dunno how to it either). I like rooster chaser sauce. For the most part I think the kids do to. This is all very interesting. thanks a bunch mcadingolinger.
3 people like this
• United States
24 Jul 09
If your kids like Spongebob, you can tell them the burgers are Krabby Patties! I would be pretty excited if my mom told me she made krabby patties, even though I am 19 years old. lol But I agree with everyone that says onion flavoring makes burgers taste better.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Hehehee, my daughter is 21 and she still lives under the sea with Spongebob!! She would probably love a Krabby Patty too.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jul 09
I usually add chopped onions to mine or you could add onion soup mix. It does not matter if it is Lipton's or the Store brand. Have you tried to add some barbecue sauce to them? That is what we do when we are having hamburgers for a barbecue, we used to put the bbq sauce in them instead of on the outside. I will also add oregano and garlic to mine, or curry powder. Sometimes I will add worchestershire or hp sauce. I sort of like to experiment because I do not like bland.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Always have to add lots of garlic and pepper - love to chop or slice onions to add when I have them. My son took a package of ranch dressing mix, the dry ingredents, and added that one night - they were to die for burgers, need to get some more of that mix :)
2 people like this
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Jul 09
Beef Braid - Picture of Beef Braid made with beef inside and cresent roll outside
My recipe for a good burger always consists of the right seasoning to taste...sometimes I use Adobo, Sazon, Garlic, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Grill Seasoning, Ranch dressing, Italian dressing, or Ceasar dressing- I find the Kens brand to be the best for meats. It just depends on what taste im going for. Sometimes I'll add some chipolte or sofrito for some real big flavor. Now a cute idea I have with hamburger meat for something totally diffrent is to brown it, season to desire, purchase some cresent rolls, roll them out, put cooked, cooled meat in middle, wrap cresents rolls around, brush with butter/garlic mixture and back until cresent doe is lightly browned- DELICIOUS!!! And it looks like a gourmet meal- great for dinner parties- it has been all the rave at mine;)
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Oh my!!! Sounds like your a pro at dinner parties.
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
24 Jul 09
This is the way we make it. choped onion, parsley, paprika (red peper powder), egg, bread crumbs, tiny bit of milk (it makes it soft), vegeta (its a spice/stock powder), and sometimes we add cheese (grated or a cube in the centre of each) black pepper. mix it all together and there you go.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I still haven't tried the egg idea. Will have to do that next time. And never heard of using milk either. Interesting.
• Philippines
24 Jul 09
Hi, in our country we make the burger patty with a twist. We make it a burger steak! sounds yummy right?!, Its the burger patty with a mushroom sauce. I think it will suit your children taste. Too bad i don't know how to cook. lol! But you can search for the recipe on the web. Happy mylotting!
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Mushroom sauce. Mmmmm, that sounds yummy. I'll definitely look for the recipe. Thanks tuliorowena!
@cobra1368 (702)
• United States
24 Jul 09
There are a lot of things you can add to hamburger for a different flavor. If you like spicy burgers, you can add cayenne, or a mix of cumin, garlic, and chili powder. I even like fresh, chopped jalepenos in mine sometimes. You can add steak sauce or Worchestershire sauce to the meat. Chopped onion (any kind, even green) is also good in them. You could even get creative and try mixes like curry and paprika (haven't tried that one yet!). Sage and thyme is good with beef also. You could make cheeseburgers, or saute some mushrooms and do a mushroom swiss burger. Avocado slices make for a great topping too! Mmmm...I'm getting hungry for a good burger! It really just depends on what your kids like. I would try Googling, "hamburgers for kids" or something similar and see what recipes you come up with. Good luck!
• United States
24 Jul 09
Ooh, taco seasoning is good in a burger as well.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Thanks Cobra. This getting creative thing is pretty fun. I'm thinking taco seasoning would be a hit with my kids too.
@machizmo (279)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Mixing a bit of bacon or baco with it would add a taste. Also adding any cheese or flakes of cheese would add to flavor.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
23 Jul 09
We have added onions,mushrooms and cheese in ours before..turned out pretty good. We would saute them then flatten out a little hamburger then put int he onions,mushrooms and shredded cheese, then take another flattened out hamburger patty and lay on top and press the edges closed best to do this in a cold skillet so that they don't have to be moved. till you flip them..or you can put on a baking sheet with aluminum foil and no flipping involved.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
10 Aug 09
Sorry I am so late in responding to this discussion. Was out of town. My daughter mentioned to me that last week she made hamburgers, cut out a pocket and put cheese inside. Her hubby put them on the bar-b-que grill and let them cook. She said they were awesome. I could see also loading it with other spices as well like green or red peppers and maybe onions.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
18 Aug 09
Stuffing with onions and cheese . . . sounds delish to me!!!
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I see you already have tons of great ideas. My boyfriend does most of the cooking around here and I honestly don't know what he puts in the burgers. I d know that sometimes he puts barbeque sauce in them and a bunch of different spices. he also puts cheese on them. He uses the chunk sharp cheddar cheese and slices thin pieces of it to put on the burger.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
How nice is that . . . a boyfriend who does most of the cooking. I need to find me one of those. Thanks, Brendalee.
@witmuch (184)
• United States
24 Jul 09
OMgoodness! I had this problem yesterday! I wanted to make Mannicotti but I didn't have the right form of shell (huge macaronni is required) and the mixture that I made with the hamburger was too thin to stay rolled in Lasagna pasta so I just made it into lasagna. It was sooo good! Here is the recipe: Things needed: Lasagna pasta (about 2 boxes--needed to layer in the pan) Hamburger (2 to 3 pounds depending on your family size) 2 cans of Canned or 4 fresh stewing tomatos (well drained if canned) 2 small bags of shredded cheese of your choice Spaghetti sause (2 jars-one for the bottom of the pan and one for the topping) about 4 sticks of celery (add to blender mixture) 2 small cans of Cream of Celery a deep cooking pan about 3 inches deep, 9 X 11 X 3 or bigger/smaller a big mixing bowl or blender (something that will mix all ingredients well enough to look pureyed) Spices: Italian (1/2teaspoon) Marjoram (1/2 teaspoon) Basil (1/2 teaspoon) 1 clove of garlic (purey mixture) Oregano (1/2 teaspoon) Salt Pepper (optional to taste) Directions: Mix the hamburger, all spices, tomatos, 1 bag of cheese, celery and cream of celery, then blend into a pasty thick liquid. Add about 1/2 of a jar of speghetti sauce to the mixture and blend again. This will thin it out a little. Set aside. Boil water and boil pasta until the color starts to turn from dark to light yellow. DO NOT COOK ALL THE WAY!!! It will finish cooking in the oven. Get your pan and poor the rest of the speghetti sauce into the bottom of it and spread to cover the bottom. Then put one layer of pasta on the sauce. The sauce acts as your burn proof bottom and still cooks the pasta. Next layer; spoon the purey meat mixture to about a quarter inch thickness over the pasta and spread a thin layer of cheese. Layer of pasta, cheese, and repeat until you have at least three to four layers. Top off with pasta only. Next spread out spaghetti sauce over the top from other can and add shredded cheese over the entire top. Preheat oven to 380, Cook covered with foil for 1 hour 15 minutes, then uncovered for 15 minutes. Warning: while cooking in the oven the pasta might smell like it is burning, but it really is not. Just to be on the safe side, pull it out and check anyway. My entire family of 8 really enjoyed this and ate 2 and 3 helpings each. I didn't have to cook anything else with it but you might be able to add salad leaves under the lasagna and then serve. This is great for parties too! Great topic!
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Yay! Now we're really get creative!! Awesome. Thanks witmuch.
1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I buy canned or fresh veggies, like bean sprouts,and the chinese veggies and mix it well and then add soy sauce. It is a nice change and tastes great. You can add water chestnuts, onion,and the crunchier the veggies, the better.
@Alupee (42)
24 Jul 09
My kids always like it when i add red sauce in a smile face style on top of the cheese.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I can never get that smiley face just right, lol.