Recipes

[ECBG]

@SouthernBee 

I was a Home Economics teacher, also with a chemistry degree.

Two things will cause shrinkage, high fat count, where the melting fat melts into the pan, and high heat.

The print in the middle of the patty makes the patty lie flat and not have a rounded shape. 

There is always a little bit of shrinkage because cooked meat takes up less room.

When I do my burger bundles in mushroom gravy, I am using the lowest fat ground beef I can find.

The shrinkage is minimal.

[KingstonsMom]

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@Drythe wrote:

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@RedTop wrote:

@SouthernBee 

I put my index finger thru my hamburger patties so they look like a meat donut, which keeps them from shrinking as they cook.   

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@SouthernBee @RedTop 

I've seen some make an indention in top of patty and put an ice cube in it.  Supposed to stop shrinkage.

I don't eat meat, so have not tried it.

Curious about it though.

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@Drythe 

That's right, it really works! I see many recipes suggesting this, tried it and it worked!

The burger was juicy, without shrinking into a tennis ball, LOL!

[Tinkrbl44]

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@SouthernBee 



I think you have to make peace with the fact that ground meat shrinks during cooking ... whether it's beef, lamb, pork or even ground turkey ...  heck even meatloaf shrinks in the cooking process. 

For that matter, some vegetables do that, too.  I steamed a large bag of fresh spinach lastt night and was surprised at how small the finished product was.  The spinach lost a lot of water in the cooking process.  Not sure you can change that, no matter what you do.








Is the problem the SIZE of the finished burger?   If so, make them a smidge larger.  I don't think you are doing anything wrong, or anything can change the end result.   Unless you want to serve Steak Tartare, which is raw ground meat.  lol.    

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[drizzellla]

@SouthernBee I do not have an answer.

BUT I would like to thank you for bringing up the subject of hamburger steak. I bought a package of hamburger so I could make meatballs. There was lots of hamburger left. So I made hamburger steaks. Twice my husband said thank you for making it. Nothing was left over.

Have to thank you for the idea.

[novamc1]

Personally, I'm glad to see excess fat cook out and shrink the hamburger.

Then I know I'm eating more meat and less grease.

[novamc1]

I totally agree with those who suggested that the very lowest -fat types of ground beef will not shrink so much--so pay a little more but get a product you might like more.

Sometimes, when I brown those low-fat types to use in  various recipes, I don't even bother to drain the small amount of fat from the pan.

[SouthernBee]

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@Zhills wrote:

I brown my patties and finish them in the oven, just like I do steaks!  Got the idea on Pinterest...it works!

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@Zhills :  Previously always cooked in the oven but tried the stove top.

[SouthernBee]

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@kate2357 wrote:

This has been a fascinating thread to read to get different ideas on how to cook a hamburger steak. We do not eat much ground beef, but when I do cook hamburger I have had the patty shrink up and it's been quite annoying. I also tired the thumb print in the middle and had mixed results. I've tried making thinner patties w/ a larger circumference and had same issue, shrunk up to nothing.

The only thing that has made a difference is when the store offers angus ground sirloin w/ 5% fat. That ground beef made an excellent steak, served up w/ grilled onions and mushroom gravy. So now when I go shopping if they have that item I will buy it. Otherwise, I just make up bigger patties and cross my fingers. 

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@kate2357 : Interesting that you suggested the angus ground sirloin. I have previously used the WalMart/ Sam's brand of pre made angus hamburger patty for the hamburger steak and added grilled onions and gravy. I always purchase the lowest fat of ground round or ground beef.

[SouthernBee]

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@RedTop wrote:

@SouthernBee 

I put my index finger thru my hamburger patties so they look like a meat donut, which keeps them from shrinking as they cook.   
@RedTop : Thank you and will try your suggestion.

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[SouthernBee]

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@Drythe wrote:

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@RedTop wrote:

@SouthernBee 

I put my index finger thru my hamburger patties so they look like a meat donut, which keeps them from shrinking as they cook.   

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@SouthernBee @RedTop 

I've seen some make an indention in top of patty and put an ice cube in it.  Supposed to stop shrinkage.

I don't eat meat, so have not tried it.

Curious about it though.

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@Drythe : Very interesting and will try this next time. Thanks.