Perfect Hamburger Patties

It’s tip time!

I am trying not to be saddened by the cooler nights and the crisper air which is blowing my way.  I can feel summer coming to a close soon.  I am hopeful to be able to get a few more cookouts on the barbie before my deck becomes covered in snow or too cold to enjoy.

I saw this tip on TV somewhere recently, probably Food Network or something similar, and Carl and I thought it was a great idea.  They took an ordinary lid from a jar and made hamburger patties in them.  I have a hamburger pattie maker, but I always seem to have to press the patties thinner after making them so they will fill the whole hamburger bun.

The lid

I used a lid which went on an old 2 gallon glass jar.  You could also use, depending on the width and depth of the lid, a lid from a plastic container which used to hold Biscotti or Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels.

The lid with plastic wrap and beef

I then lined the lid with plastic wrap and pressed out 1/3 pound of ground beef into each pattie.  Feel free to use 1/4 or another amount.  I was feeling like big burgers that day.  Use the edges of the plastic wrap to pull the hamburger meat out of the lid and flip them over onto a plate or platter.  Does it go without saying to wash the lid very well before putting it back on your jar or plastic container?

The perfect hamburger pattie

I thought they came out great.  They were not too small for the bun, too thin, or too thick.  I thought they were just right.  You could even pre-make large quantities and freeze them in between wax or freezer paper and take them out to thaw in the refrigerator the night before you want to cook them.

As an added side note, I thought my grandfather was the best hamburger maker ever.  He told me his secret-butter, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper.  Butter makes everything better, right?  That is how I make mine, and they always take me back to the good ole days.  May God bless you and keep you safe in the last hot days of summer!