Burger Seasoning Blend for my Ninja Crispi Burgers
‘Tis the season for grilling all the foods and burgers is the number one must-have food over the summer months!
My boys LOVE burgers, so I tried grilling last summer and, well, let’s just say it just wasn’t my thing. It could have been bending over the tiny grill sitting on my hot deck, or the grease smoking, or I just don’t know, but the ants came out, and I couldn’t wait for the experience to be over. The burgers tasted good, but …
Fast-forward a few months, and I’ve developed a love for grass-fed burgers over the last year. Aside from grass-fed, grass-finished beef tasting significantly better than conventional, plus, for those environmental enthusiasts, it is not just better for the environment, but can actually help reduce carbon emissions, it has so many health benefits. It contains more nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids plus no hormones or antibiotics. Definitely a better and tastier choice.
Since I’m not into eating out often, I was on a mission to find a way to cook them at home. Cast iron is my favorite way to cook a tenderloin, but it just wasn’t my jam for burgers. Enter the glass Ninja Crispi Air Fryer!! This little gem was on a July 4th sale, so I had to try it. It’s basically a glass dish (it comes with a lid for storage!) with a little removeable trivet and the removeable top holds the heating element. It’s small, but just big enough for me to cook all types of proteins for myself and my 2 giant teenage boys. Place unbleached parchment paper on the bottom of the dish and the clean-up is a breeze!
I have tried many types of burgers in my life. I have made them with all types of add-ins to bump up the flavor, but honestly, over the last year, simpler is better in my book. My boys have what I call a purist pallet when it comes to food, and I have developed a similar preference. Besides a super simple seasoning blend, nothing goes in the burger. I’ve included my seasoning blend below!
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
- ½ tsp fine ground celtic/pink salt
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Mix in a small jar. Add 2 tsp to 1 pound of either 80/20 or 92/8 ground beef. I break up the beef over a dish and sprinkle the seasoning over the meat, then gently mix it all together with my non-dominant hand, so the meat doesn’t get overworked. I use the bottom of a burger press to shape the 3 burgers, then push my thumb in the middle of the burger, so it doesn’t plump up in the middle while cooking. If I’m able to buy 80/20, I set the Crispi to cook on Air Fry for 6 minutes, and it’s perfect for the 3 of us, close to medium and always juicy. We prefer cheeseburgers, so I place the slice on the burgers and place the lid on for 1 more minute, then I take the top off to let them rest. Resting for 5-10 minutes allows the juices to redistribute and creates a delish burger.
Hope you enjoy!
What’s your favorite seasoning blend for burgers? Are you salt and pepper only or add everything but the kitchen sink?