Make this burger for under $5

Eating out can be expensive, I totally get it! Especially after living in other countries for almost 6 months and not having access to my beloved pantry. This has resulted in eating out lots (and spending lots of money)! Eating out is even more expensive in Canada and America when you convert the Australia dollar, add tax (that isn’t usually included on menu items) and add a tip. 

Don’t get me wrong, obviously I love eating out and trying different foods but I also love cooking. I love creating complex dishes but I also love creating simple, cheap eats. You probably know that I love a good burger but burgers can cost up to $20 or more. Times that but two, add a few drinks and you’ve just spent $50+ on a meal for two.

I’m not complaining and I totally understand why. Businesses have to pay for staff, the food, rent and all the other associated costs of running a business. As I business owner, I know how hard it can be. I love eating a good burger out sometimes (check out my list of must-eat burgers in Canberra) and I’m happy to pay for it. But I also know that it’s not possible for a lot of people to eat out regularly.

Mr Eat Canberra and I share a love of burgers. He’s pretty much THE burger king and we make burgers at home about once a month. We often enjoy them more than some of the ones we’ve eaten out. There’s something very satisfying about whipping up a big, juicy burger and eating it in the comfort of your own home in front of the tv, sitting on the lounge with juice running down your hands and sauce on your face, not worrying about what you look like…. You know what I mean!

So I want to share this easy peasy and super cheap recipe with you. You should have some of the things you need in the fridge or cupboard so this will automatically bring the cost down. If you don’t have them then buy them so you have them in the cupboard when you make burgers again. It will then bring the cost of your burgers down when you make them in the future because you don’t have to purchase them again. You might not like some of the ingredients I use and if not, don’t use them. Everyone’s tastes and preferences are different. Remember that this is a cheap recipe and you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to make a delicious burger.

So next time you’re craving a burger and don’t have the money (or want to spend the money) on buying a burger out, you can satisfy your cravings, and get down and dirty with a burger in the comfort of your home without worrying about what you look like.

Beef, cheese and bacon burgers

Makes 2-4 burgers (depending on your size of your patties)

Ingredients

Rolls*
1 x tomato thinly sliced
Lettuce*
1 x brown onion thinly sliced
1-2 tablespoons butter
Splash of olive oil
500g mince*
Cheese*
1 piece of middle bacon per burger
Pickles and/or gherkin relish
Tomato sauce (ketchup)
BBQ sauce
American mustard
Sliced sport peppers (if you like it spicy)
1 packet of frozen chips, wedges or potato gems*

*See NOTES below

What now? 

1. Form your mince into patties. The size will depend on how thick you want them and the size of your rolls. Try to shape them so they’re slightly wider than the rolls as they will shrink slightly when they cook. Place them on a plate, cover them and put them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.
2. Cook chips/gems/wedges according to packet. Put these on early so they’re ready when your burgers are.
3. Thinly slice your onion. Place a small sauce pan on low heat and add the butter and a little olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook until they’re translucent. This could take 15-20mins. Make sure you stir regularly and don’t have the temperature up too high otherwise they will burn.
4. Get a cutting board and slice your cheese and tomato. Slice peppers and pickles if you’re using them. Assemble the sliced cheese, tomato, lettuce leaves, peppers and pickles in piles on one plate so the burgers are easy to assemble once everything is cooked.
5. Turn the oven on low (80-100C). Place a non-stick, medium-large frypan on medium heat. Add the patties when it’s hot. Seal both sides and cook them to your liking but don’t over cook. Flip when the juices start to rise. A few minutes on each side should be enough. Once cooked, place the patties on a tray lined with baking paper, top them with the sliced cheese and place in the oven to stay warm and to melt the cheese.
6. Drain the frypan if there’s too much fat in it but don’t clean it. Use the same frypan to cook the bacon to your liking. I like mine crispy! Place the bacon on top of the cheese topped patties when it’s cooked.
7. Slice the rolls in half and you’re ready to assemble! I don’t butter the rolls and start with lettuce on the bottom. Make sure the tomato doesn’t touch the rolls otherwise it will go soggy! I add the sliced tomatoes on top of the lettuce, followed by the patty that’s topped with the cheese and bacon. Add the cooked onion and top it off with condiments of your choice.
8. Add your chips, gems or wedges on the side, grab a napkin or two and get down and dirty with that burger in the comfort of your own home!

NOTES: 

1. Buy a packet of 6 rolls for $2-3 from Coles or single rolls for about 60c each from a bakery. If we buy a packet then we freeze what we don’t use or we just buy however many we need.
2. Buy loose mixed lettuce leaves from the markets so you only buy what you need and don’t waste them. Alternatively, buy a small head of lettuce and use the rest for a salad or sandwiches the next day.
3. Got a block of cheddar in the fridge? Slice a few pieces off so you don’t have to buy more cheese. We like to use two slices off a normal block per burger.
4. I know it’s naughty BUT get the mince with more fat in it for a juicier burger. You can get 500g of 3-star mince from Coles for $5. You can also find cheap mince at some local butchers.
5. One piece of trimmed middle bacon (halved) is enough for one burger but you can add more bacon if you want to.
6. Use whatever condiments you want and just use what you have at hom ei fyou don’t want to purchase more. I love a combination of mustard, gherkin relish and bbq sauce. I’ve also been known to combine tomato sauce (ketchup) and bbq sauce…. Weird huh?
7. Make your own chips if you prefer but frozen ones are an easy option.
8. Remember that you don’t want to be making these every night but they’re good for a cheap, easy, treat yourself dinner at home occasionally!
9. We learnt a great trick from Jamie Oliver….  For extra flavour mix some chipotle sauce and American mustard together, then baste the patties on each side once you’ve sealed them. Cook for an extra minute before removing them from the heat. We usually do this and it’s delicious!