Making this quintessential American sandwich at home provides you with options for superlative flavor, texture, and quality. Like Americans themselves, burgers are highly adaptable. They can be made with any ground meat -- or combination of ground meats -- and take to cooking methods using the grill, oven, and stove top. To prepare a classic beef burger, follow this winning recipe from Better Homes and Gardens. Be sure to try some of the delicious variations that follow the recipe.

These tips will pave your way to beautiful burgers:

• When choosing beef for burgers, pick ground chuck for the beefiest flavor and juiciest burger.
• Don't fear fat too much when making burgers. Go for 20 percent fat content (represented as 80/20 on the package) when you purchase meat for hamburgers.
• Shape burgers into balls, then gently flatten each ball by patting gently with your fingers or between the palms of your hands.
• For even cooking, make a small indentation in the center of each burger before cooking.

Hamburgers

Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, ground pork, or ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon onion salt or garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 slices American, Swiss, cheddar, or brick cheese (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• Ketcup, mustard, and/or pickle slices (optional)

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl combine the ground beef, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. Shape the meat mixture into four 1/2- or 3/4-inch-thick patties. Place patties on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat until no pink remains, turning once. Allow 10 to 12 minutes for 1/2-inch-thick patties or 15 to 18 minutes for 3/4-inch-thick patties.
3. If desired, top burgers with a slice of cheese. Broil just until cheese melts. Place burgers on toasted buns. If desired, serve with ketchup, mustard, and/or pickle slices. Makes 4 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare and shape burgers; cover and chill up to 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 351, Total Fat 17 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, Sodium 652 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 23 g. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

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