Elevate your BBQ skills with this best-ever burger recipe

There’s nothing quite so warming as sitting outside eating hot food fresh off the BBQ, but you needn’t rely on shop-bought burgers to please your guests. Instead, take the time to make your own—you won’t regret it when the compliments start to roll in.

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ULTIMATE BEEF BURGERS
Ingredients for four burgers:

1 small onion, diced

500g good-quality beef mince
1 egg

1 tbsp vegetable oil

4 burger buns

Any, or all, of the following to serve: sliced tomato, beetroot, horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, iceberg lettuce, crispy shallots, red onion, fried egg, rocket, watercress. M&S Development and Innovation chef Russell Goad recommends using a mountain cheese to top your burger such as Gruyere or Emmental.

Method:

  1. Tip the beef mince into a bowl with one small diced onion and one raw egg, then mix. 


  2. Divide the mixture into four. Lightly wet your hands. Carefully roll the mixture into balls. 


  3. Set in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze down to flatten into patties until they are around 3cm thick. Make sure all the burgers are the same thickness so that they will cook evenly.

  4. Put on a plate, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 minutes. 


  5. Heat the barbecue to medium hot (around 40 minutes after initially lighting). Lightly brush one side of each burger with vegetable oil. 


  6. Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for five minutes until the meat is lightly charred. Oil the other side, then turn over using tongs. Don’t press down on the meat, as that will squeeze out the juices.

  7. Cook for five minutes more for medium. If you like your burgers pink in the middle, cook one minute less each side. For well done, cook one minute more. 


  8. Take the burgers off the barbecue. Leave to rest on a plate so that all the juices can settle inside.

  9. Slice four burger buns in half. Place, cut-side down, on the barbecue rack and toast for one minute until they are lightly charred. Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment. .

Deep Freeze

Whip up some of these delicious ice-lolly combinations and keep a stash in your freezer for when you’re in need of a quick cool-down.

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