Homemade Hamburgers – A Family Favorite
Mom’s Special Homemade Hamburgers
Skip the store-bought and make these delicious homemade hamburgers with love! Packed with fresh ingredients and a special sauce, these burgers are a hit with both kids and adults. A healthier and tastier option for your family meal.
Burger Buns & Vegetables
- 3 Hamburger buns
- 3 slices Cheddar cheese
- 2 leaves Cabbage (approx. 1/4 head)
- 3 fresh Lettuce leaves
- Mayonnaise (for dressing the cabbage)
Juicy Homemade Patties
- 300g Ground pork (lean cut)
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped and sautéed onion (drained)
- 0.5 tsp Minced garlic
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 0.3 tsp Sugar
- Pinch of Black pepper
Flavorful Special Sauce
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Tonkatsu sauce (or brown sauce)
- 3 tsp Sake (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Corn syrup (or honey)
- 0.3 tsp Sugar
- 300g Ground pork (lean cut)
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped and sautéed onion (drained)
- 0.5 tsp Minced garlic
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 0.3 tsp Sugar
- Pinch of Black pepper
Flavorful Special Sauce
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Tonkatsu sauce (or brown sauce)
- 3 tsp Sake (cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Corn syrup (or honey)
- 0.3 tsp Sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the sautéed onions, a key ingredient for our juicy patties. Finely chop about half of a small onion. For a kid-friendly burger, chopping it as finely as possible will improve the texture.
Step 2
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Be careful not to burn it by using too high heat. Once cooked, drain the excess moisture by placing the onions in a sieve and let them cool completely. Ensuring the onions are cool and not watery will prevent the burger patties from falling apart during cooking.
Step 3
Prepare 300g of ground pork. Use paper towels to firmly press out any excess blood from the meat. Thoroughly removing the blood is essential for a clean-tasting patty without any porky odor.
Step 4
To the drained ground pork, add the cooled sautéed onions, 0.5 tsp minced garlic, 2 tsp soy sauce, 0.3 tsp sugar, and a pinch of black pepper. Knead the mixture thoroughly with your hands until it becomes sticky and well-combined. This kneading process helps the patties hold their shape when cooked.
Step 5
Divide the seasoned meat mixture into three equal portions and shape them into round, slightly flattened patties that will fit your hamburger buns. If you prefer smaller sliders, you can divide the mixture into 4 or 5 portions. For a satisfyingly hearty burger, I recommend making them larger. Feel free to adjust the size to your preference!
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Carefully place the formed patties into the hot pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. The delicious aroma will soon have everyone gathering around! Flip the patties occasionally to ensure they are cooked through evenly.
Step 7
While these patties are already delicious, we’re going to elevate them further with a special glaze! This step adds an extra layer of flavor that makes these burgers truly special.
Step 8
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp tonkatsu sauce, 3 tsp sake, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, and 0.3 tsp sugar to create the special sauce. Push the cooked patties to one side of the pan, pour the sauce into the cleared space, and bring it to a simmer. Brush the sauce onto both sides of the patties as they glaze, allowing it to thicken and coat the meat. This sauce is so flavorful that you won’t need any other condiments! It’s also fantastic served with rice.
Step 9
Thinly shred the cabbage and toss it in a bowl with 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. (I accidentally chopped it coarsely in the picture, but please shred it finely!) The cabbage salad adds a refreshing crunch and balances the richness of the burger. If you prefer, you can substitute shredded lettuce for the cabbage.
Step 10
Now that all our components are ready, it’s time to assemble! Slice the hamburger buns in half. Place a fresh lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, followed by a slice of cheddar cheese. Lay the juicy homemade patty on top, then pile on the mayonnaise-dressed cabbage salad. Finally, place the top half of the bun on to complete your masterpiece. Repeat this process to assemble the remaining two burgers.
Step 11
Congratulations! Your homemade, nutritious, and utterly delicious Mom’s Special Hamburgers are ready to be enjoyed!
