What makes the perfect homemade burger?

Gherkins 

Traditionally served cold and raw, this gives the burger that distinct crunch and juiciness. Not only does it have a lovely strong pickle smell, but it adds flavour, texture and some serious bite.

Yellow mustard 

Unlike the strong flavour from English and French mustard, yellow mustard has a mellow, milder flavour. It’s the ideal saucy match for your burger, but just be sure to have a napkin nearby – it has a tendency to squirt everywhere!

Salad 

Finely sliced cabbage added to lettuce, with a tangy topping made with spring onions, not to mention a large slice of tomato, is the perfect addition to your burger. It’s cool and crisp and always helps you feel less guilty about what you’re eating. Surely it counts as one of your five a day?

Burger bun 

Although any burger bun will make your burger taste good, to get the real authentic takeaway experience, as well as adding extra flavour, be sure to sandwich your burger with a sesame seed bun. Packaged in bags of 12 or 24, these can be purchased from any good food supplier. It wouldn’t really be the same without one!

Toppings 

The beauty of a burger is you can either have it plain (medium-rare, as you’re asking), or with extra toppings. Whilst these are not compulsory, cheese and bacon are very welcome additions. The scrumptious flavours and textures (especially the melted cheese), hit you instantly and it’s like there’s a party going on in your mouth!

Sauces 

Variety is the spice of life and you can get as fancy as you like. A curry mayo or avacado sauce always goes down a treat, but there’s nothing quite like the classic combo of tomato and mustard. A good burger only deserves the best, after all.

Meat 

When cooking a homemade beef burger, it’s best to choose one which has a relatively high fat content. Lean meat will result in dry, tough burgers, while cooking meat with a higher fat content will ensure the burger remains moist and juicy. Delicious!

Chips 

Traditionally a burger is served with French fries, but preparing good, crispy chips at home can be time-consuming. Luckily, there are a number of good-quality frozen products available in supermarkets, so you won’t have to go without!

Discover the secret ingredients and cooking techniques behind a great takeaway with The Takeaway Secret: How to cook Your Favourite Fast Food at Home by Kenny McGovern