Burgers are a summer staple, whether cooked on the grill or in the oven, but they often turn out soggy because most people forget a simple ingredient found in most kitchen cupboards.
The Secret Ingredient: Brown Sugar
Lisa Longley, a cook and founder of Simple Joy, shares that adding brown sugar to burgers before cooking makes them crispier and tastier. "The brown sugar and the seasoning crisp up on the outside of the burger, making for such a great flavour," she says.
Why Brown Sugar Works
Brown sugar caramelizes the burger, creating a better crust and locking in juices. This makes the burger easier to eat and enhances its texture. The touch of sweetness complements smoky flavors from the meat, making the overall taste richer.
How to Make Better Burger Seasoning
You will need:
- Two tablespoons of brown sugar
- Two tablespoons of paprika
- One tablespoon of onion powder
- Two teaspoons of salt
- Two teaspoons of black pepper
- Two teaspoons of garlic powder
- Half a teaspoon of cumin
Method
Mix all the seasonings together in a bowl. This recipe yields nine heaped tablespoons of burger seasoning, which can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months.
To use, take one teaspoon of the seasoning and gently rub it into a raw burger patty. Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of the seasoning into one pound of mince if making burgers from scratch. Grill or oven-cook the burgers, ensuring the seasoning is added before cooking to allow the brown sugar to sear the meat properly.
Your burgers will turn out perfectly golden brown with a deep caramelized crust and a tasty smoky sweet flavor.
