Diner-style Cheeseburger

We all need to make time for a burger once in a while. – Erica Durance

Making juicy, flavorful burgers at home doesn’t have to be complicated or messy. This easy recipe uses ground flaxseed and gelatin to hold the burgers together and add extra juiciness, and it requires no special equipment. Here’s how you can make an easy, thick, diner-style burger right at home that will satisfy your cravings for a classic burger.

To make four burgers, you’ll need 2 lbs of ground beef (73/20 makes for a juicy burger), 2 tbsp of flaxseed meal, 4 tsps of hot water, 1 packet of gelatin powder, salt, and pepper to taste. You’ll also need four standard white hamburger buns.

Start by preheating your oven to 300F. Then, combine your flaxseed meal with hot water, stir until well combined, and let it set for 5 minutes. While it’s setting, portion out your ground beef into a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Add your flaxseed meal mixture to the bowl and combine all the ingredients by hand, being careful not to overmix them. Overmixing can lead to a burger with a gritty or even sausage-like texture.

Next, form the ground beef mixture into four equal balls and form those into patties, giving each patty a dimple. This will prevent the burgers from ballooning when they cook. Place your patties onto a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet of at least equal size.

Place your patties into your preheated oven and allow them to cook until the core temperature hits 130F. For these four patties, it will take about 30 minutes. If you desire a more done burger, increase your temperature (I would not go for more than 140F, personally).

Once your patties have hit your desired temperature, take them out of the oven and allow them to sit on top of your stove or on top of a heat-proof surface. Let them sit for at least 5 minutes. Carry over cooking will cook the burgers about another 5 degrees more. Optionally, you can top them with cheese if you’d like the cheesy to be melty.

Finally, take your patties, build your burger with any desired condiments, and enjoy a delicious, thick, juicy burger right at home. With this easy recipe, you can satisfy your burger cravings without making a mess or needing special equipment.