Grinding Burgers In-House? Here's Some Advice

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If you want to really set your restaurant apart, one option is to grind your burger meat in-house. Not only can this result in a better-quality burger, but it also gives you more control over the grinding process, and it can appeal to customers who prefer higher-end, custom-made options. However, if you are making and serving ground in-house burgers, there is some key advice you should follow.

Experiment With Different Blends

The beauty of grinding your own beef is the ability to customize your blend. You're no longer relegated to whatever blend of chuck and rump your local butcher uses. Dedicate a couple of days to grinding various cuts of meat, and then blending them together in different proportions. Make a burger out of each one, and have your staff taste test the results. Once you know which blend you like best, you can stick with that for your in-house burgers. 

Common cuts that can help make good burgers include short rib, chuck, top round, and sirloin. Generally, you'll want to blend a fattier cut, like short rib, with a leaner cut, like sirloin.

Take Care of Your Grinder

First off, make sure you have a commercial-grade grinder that is made to withstand the heavy demands you'll put on it. Then, make sure you're treating that grinder well. Instruct your staff to clean it immediately after every use to avoid both breakdowns and contamination. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to lubricating various moving parts and sharpening the grinding mechanism. Some grinders need to be professionally serviced by the manufacturer every year or so. If yours comes with this recommendation, make sure you schedule the service.

Season Your Ground Meat

Most chefs don't like to salt their ground meat because they feel it pulls the moisture out. But you can, and should, take advantage of the opportunity to add other seasonings. When you add them to the meat before shaping it into patties, the flavor is able to better permeate the meat. Adding some garlic and onion powder is a good start. You may want to experiment with some fresh herbs and other seasonings until you discover the perfect combination.

Making your own burgers in-house is a great way to set yourself apart in the restaurant world. If you follow the advice above, you should get tasty results, and your grinder should keep serving you well for several years to come. Contact a local restaurant, such as Burger Addict, to learn more.

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13 January 2022

Protecting Your Cookie Sheets

When I got married, one of my mom’s friends gave me a set of 3 cookie sheets at my wedding shower. Because I liked to bake peanut butter cookies, I was excited to receive this thoughtful gift. After the wedding, I started using these handy cookie sheets several nights each week. In addition to baking cookies on them, I used them to cook other types of foods as well. I baked French fries on them. I also roasted vegetables on them. Unfortunately, by using them for multiple purposes, they quickly lost their non-stick properties. Whenever I baked cookies on them, the cookies would stick to the sheets. So, I purchased a new set of cookies sheets. Now, I only bake cookies on cookie sheets. On this blog, you will discover ways to protect your valuable cookie sheets.