Make Juicier Burgers With This One Creamy Ground Beef Addition

Ketchup is hands down the most popular condiment Americans put on burgers, according to DoorDash orders from 2022 to 2023 (via Fox News). After ketchup, orders showed mayo was the second most popular, and indeed, a Mashed survey also showed mayonnaise is the next preferred burger topping. But have you considered adding mayo to the beef before it hits the grill? Stick with us, because if you love a juicy burger, there is good reason to mix creamy mayonnaise into ground beef.

The key to a satisfyingly tender, juicy burger is fat. While it may be tempting to buy the leaner 90/10 ground beef (90% lean meat and 10% fat), the fattier 80/20 ground chuck (80% lean meat and 20% fat) is the better option to help prevent crumbly burgers. Mixing in one or two tablespoons of mayonnaise, a food high in fat, per pound of ground meat adds moisture and flavor, as well as aids in binding the lean burger meat together, creating a more tender bite. The flavor of mayonnaise is subtle, so you don't need to worry about it overpowering the beef. It's strictly support staff.

Mayonnaise is a simple condiment made of eggs, oil, an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, a bit of salt, and whatever special seasonings you like to make it your own. This leaves a lot to play around with. Each of the popular mayonnaise brands uses its own recipe, so no two will taste exactly alike or have the same mouthfeel. There are also different types, such as light versus regular mayo. How do you choose the right one to fit your needs? Well, when it comes to mixing mayonnaise with ground chuck to make burgers, aficionados have a clear favorite: Duke's Real Mayonnaise.

Eugenia Duke's original mayo recipe from 1917, which continues to be made today, calls for more eggs than its fierce competitor Hellman's. This means Duke's has a higher fat content, which also results in a richer flavor. If you can't find Duke's or simply have another brand on hand, you can try mixing one egg into the mayo to up its fat content before adding it to the ground chuck. You can also try making homemade mayonnaise if you're feeling extra adventurous.