Recipe | Make-Ahead Homemade Burgers

MAKE-AHEAD HOMEMADE BURGERS

After stocking these yummy burgers in the freezer, you may never go back to those thin, pre-made patties. This recipe works well for meatballs too!

INGREDIENTS

4 lb	2 kg	Ground Beef
1 cup	250 mL	EACH dry breadcrumbs and minced onion
4	4	lightly beaten eggs

PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes
COOKING TIME: 20 - 25 minutes

DIRECTIONS

Lightly combine all ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Gently form into sixteen 3/4 inch (2 cm)-thick patties. Place patties in a single layer onto several plastic wrap-lined baking trays; cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze just until meat is firm (1-2 hours). Wrap patties tightly in heavy foil or place them into freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

Cook frozen patties over medium-high heat on a lightly oiled grill. Cook in closed barbecue for 10-12 minutes per side, testing doneness with a digital rapid-read thermometer inserted sideways into centre of each patty – burgers are completely cooked when thermometer reads at least 160ºF (71ºC), regardless of meat colour.

Make-Ahead Meatballs:
Form burger mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs. Bake on lightly oiled foil-lined baking tray in 400°F (200°C) oven for 15 minutes, until digital rapid-read thermometer inserted into centre of several meatballs reads at least 160°F (71°C). Place cooked meatballs in a single layer onto several foil-lined baking trays; cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze just until meat is firm (about 1 hour). Place meatballs into freezer bags; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cooked meatballs in the fridge or microwave before using. Heat in your favourite pasta sauce or in the microwave.
Makes about 120 meatballs.

NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 16 SERVINGS