The chia seeds do not add crunch to the burger so do not panic. You cant tell they are there at all. Even my burger-loving burger aficionado husband has given this recipe his seal of approval!.
Breadcrumbs are a common binding ingredient added to burger patties to help hold them together. However, beef patties can absolutely be made without them. Using a few simple tricks yields moist, flavorful homemade beef patties minus the breadcrumbs.
Why Make Beef Patties Without Breadcrumbs?
There are a few reasons you may want to craft beef patties without using breadcrumbs
- You don’t have any breadcrumbs on hand or want to avoid an extra trip to buy them
- You are looking for a low-carb burger option
- You want a gluten-free burger patties
- You prefer the flavor and texture without breadcrumbs
- You want to reduce carbs, calories, or ingredients
Luckily, with some easy substitutions, you can make great burger patties without breadcrumbs that hold together perfectly.
How to Bind Beef Patties Without Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs act as a binder and absorb moisture in burger patties. Without them, you’ll need to substitute other ingredients to achieve a cohesive texture. Here are some common options:
Finely Diced Onion
Onion provides moisture and flavor. Dice 1 small onion very finely and mix into the beef.
Eggs
Eggs act as a natural binder Beat 1 egg and mix into the ground beef before forming patties
Oats
Use 1/4 cup dry oats pulsed into a powder as a breadcrumb substitute. They absorb moisture to hold patties together.
Panko Breadcrumbs
For a lower carb option, use 1/4 cup panko crumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. Panko has about half the carbs.
Cheese
Shredded cheese melts into the beef patties, adding gooey pockets of flavor. Mix in 1/4 cup shredded cheddar, Swiss, or your favorite.
Mushrooms
Finely chop and mix in 1/2 cup mushrooms. They add an earthy flavor and moisture.
Nut Butter
2 tablespoons of nut butter blended with the beef works great. Peanut or almond butter are good options.
Worcestershire Sauce
Adding a couple teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce also helps bind without breadcrumbs.
Tips for Making Moist Patties Without Breadcrumbs
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Don’t overwork the meat, which can make patties dense and dry. Gently mix ingredients.
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Make a depression in the center of patties to prevent bulging as they cook.
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Don’t press down on patties with a spatula as they cook. Let them brown untouched.
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Brush patties with oil before cooking for an evenly browned outside.
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Cook on medium heat, turning once, until lightly charred but still juicy inside.
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Insert a thermometer to test doneness. Stop cooking at 160°F for perfectly cooked beef.
Seasoning Ideas
In addition to a binder substitute, beef patties need seasoning for maximum flavor. Try mixing in any of the following:
- Onion and garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chili powder or chipotle powder
- Steak seasoning or all-purpose seasoning blends
- Worcestershire or soy sauce
- Dried herbs like oregano, basil, parsley
- Spices like paprika, cumin, mustard powder
- Minced fresh herbs and garlic
- Grated parmesan cheese
Serving Suggestions
Breadcrumb-free beef patties pair well with various toppings and sides:
- Classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mustard.
- Bacon cheeseburger topped with crispy bacon and cheddar.
- BBQ burger with cheddar, onion rings, and barbecue sauce.
- Mushroom Swiss burger topped with sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese.
- Salad greens, tomato, and aioli on a burger for a fresh flavor.
- Avocado slices and ranch dressing for a rich twist.
- Crispy fried onion straws for irresistible crunch.
- Oven fries, potato wedges, or tater tots make savory sides.
With a few simple tricks and ingredient swaps, you can easily make flavorful beef patties without breadcrumbs. Bind them together with eggs, cheese, mushrooms or other creative options. Season to taste and enjoy on a bun or over salad for a satisfying breadcrumb-free homemade burger.
Ingredients you will need
You will need ground beef, tomato purée, chia seeds, and any herbs and spices you like to make these burgers at home.
How to Make Burgers without Egg or Breadcrumbs
Here are illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to make my own burger patties. If you’d rather just read the directions, you can go to the printable recipe card below.
Step one:
Place all ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly with your hands preferably.
Step two:
Separate the meat into balls the right size for the patty or meatball you want to make. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate for 20-30 mins.
Step three: Heat a frying pan or bbq to a medium heat.
Flatten the balls in the fridge into patty shapes and cook over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. For the small patties shown, this took about three minutes on each side. Larger patties will be 4-5 minutes each side.
This recipe makes great mini-burgers for baby-led weaning because they are easy for little hands to handle. You can call them burgers, rissoles, or meatballs. They hold their shape, dont crumble but are soft and juicy.
If you’re from New Zealand, you’d call these rissoles. The recipe works just fine for either. You can use them as meatballs in any recipe that calls for them or make a big burger patty for an adult meal.
When I make burgers for little hands, I like to make the buns out of toast rounds. This makes everything easier for them to hold. I explain how to do it mini toast burgers for toddlers.
- This recipe makes great mini-burgers for baby-led weaning because they are easy for little hands to handle. You can call them burgers, rissoles, or meatballs. They don’t fall apart and stay together, but they are soft and juicy.
- If you’re from New Zealand, you’d call these rissoles. The recipe works just fine for either. You can use them as meatballs in any recipe that calls for them or make a big burger patty for an adult meal.
- When I make burgers for little hands, I like to make the buns out of toast rounds. This makes everything easier for them to hold. I show you how to make mini toast burgers for kids.
- Chia seeds work as a great egg replacer. Two tablespoons of chia seeds soaked in three tablespoons of water are the same as one egg. This works great in my best cookie recipe for people with food allergies instead of eggs.
- You don’t need to add any extra water to this recipe to make the chia egg; the tomato purée and minced beef already have enough water in them.
Simple Burger Recipe No Breadcrumbs | How to form a hamburger patty
FAQ
Do burger patties need breadcrumbs?
How do you bind burgers without breadcrumbs?
How to make beef patties stick together?
How to cook burger patty without breadcrumbs?
So, griller’s tip for this burger patty recipe without breadcrumbs is to rub olive oil on the grill rack to prevent sticking! Now this is not absolutely necessary, but by dipping a paper towel in olive oil and using tongs to rub over the grill rack, this will help removing and flipping the burger patty. Easy! Marinate and Marinate Some More
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
Can you make a Burger without breadcrumbs?
In conclusion, this no-breadcrumb burger recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious burgers without the need for breadcrumbs. With just a few simple steps, you can create juicy, mouthwatering burgers that are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite.
How to make a no-breadcrumb Burger?
Make sure to shop for meat that is at least 80% lean and 20% fat, and combine the two meats to your desired ratio. Once you’ve selected the meat, you’re ready to start forming the patties.When it comes to forming the patties for your no-breadcrumb burger, the key is to not overwork the meat.