Makes: 6–8 medium patties | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6–10 min per batch
I’ll be honest — my favorite burger has no bun. The only bread I crave is hot-from-the-oven, dripping with butter, so good it hurts to bite.
But a juicy, spiced beef patty? Always yes. This is the easiest, most forgiving homemade patty recipe — just 8 ingredients, no breadcrumbs needed (I save bread for that fresh-baked moment).
Use mince with fat — lean dries out. Add-ins are endless: fresh garlic, onions, green peppers, chilli, cheese, bacon… go wild.
Ingredients
- 800 g beef mince (with fat — keeps patties juicy)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp mixed herbs
- 1 tbsp braai spice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup cake flour (or soaked + drained oats, or breadcrumbs)
- Oil for frying (just enough to prevent sticking)
Method
- Mix the flavor: In a large bowl, combine mince and all dry spices. Mix well with your hands.
- Bind it: Add egg and mix thoroughly.
- Add flour: Sprinkle in flour (or soaked oats/breadcrumbs) and mix until fully combined.
- Shape patties: Scoop spoonfuls of mixture, roll into balls, then gently flatten into patties. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook:
- Pan-fry: Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium-high. Cook patties 3 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
- Bake: Place on a lightly greased tray at 200°C until golden and cooked (time depends on size).
- Serve: Pile with your favorite toppings — cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauce — with or without the bun.
Pro Tips
- No sticking: Oil the pan, not the patties.
- Make ahead: Shape and refrigerate up to 24 hours, or freeze raw between baking paper.
- Juicy secret: Don’t press down while cooking — keeps juices in.
- Bread swap: Try lettuce wraps or portobello mushroom “buns”.
