Gordon Ramsay is one of the world’s most famous chefs known for his restaurants and TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and Kitchen Nightmares. He has very high standards when it comes to food, especially for simple dishes like burgers. When making his signature beef burgers, Ramsay has certain techniques he uses to get the perfect flavor and texture.
Gordon Ramsay’s Burger Philosophy
For Gordon Ramsay, a gourmet burger starts with high quality ingredients. He insists on using fresh, locally sourced ground beef chuck with a fat content around 20-25%. This keeps the burger moist and flavorful. He seasons the beef aggressively with salt and pepper before forming the patties by hand, being careful not to overwork the meat.
In terms of cheese, Ramsay believes a good melty cheese is key for the ideal cheeseburger. The cheese should complement the beef flavor rather than overpower it. He usually opts for Scottish cheddar, Swiss cheese or American cheese. The cheese needs to melt nicely into the burger and bun.
Why Use Scottish Cheddar?
One of Ramsay’s top choices for his burgers is Scottish cheddar. He likely uses this sharp cheddar for several reasons:
- Being from the UK, Scottish cheddar is a familiar choice
- The sharpness stands up to the strong beef flavor
- It melts very well without separating or becoming greasy
Scottish cheddar adds a nice tangy, nutty flavor to the burger that complements the beef. It has a creamy, smooth texture when melted. Using a good quality aged cheddar ensures you get that trademark sharp cheddar flavor.
Melty Swiss Cheese
For a different take, Ramsay also uses Swiss cheese for his gourmet burgers. The nutty, slightly sweet flavor balances the salty beef. It has a signature melting quality thanks to its low moisture content. The small holes in Swiss cheese help it melt into a smooth, gooey texture.
To get the melting right, Ramsay advises slicing the Swiss cheese thinly. This allows it to melt faster before the burger overcooks. The result is a nice melty cheeseburger with the stringy, oozy texture you want.
American Cheese
While it may seem too common for a chef like Ramsay, American cheese can also make a great burger cheese. American cheese melts beautifully into a creamy, smooth consistency. It has a mild flavor that doesn’t compete with the beef. The orange color also looks great on a burger.
For a nostalgic, diner-style cheeseburger, Ramsay uses American cheese slices. To avoid the overpowering plastic-like taste of prepackaged slices, he opts for fresh deli American cheese. This gives you that perfect gooey cheeseburger in just a few bites.
How to Make Gordon Ramsay Cheeseburgers
To make Gordon Ramsay style cheeseburgers at home, follow these steps:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground chuck (20% fat)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
- 4 sesame seed burger buns
- 8 slices Scottish cheddar, Swiss or American cheese
- Burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion etc.
Instructions:
- Take the ground chuck and gently form into 4 patties about 4-5 inches wide. Create a divot in the center of each patty.
- Generously season both sides of the patties with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Preheat grill or pan to high heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side. The center should reach medium doneness. Be sure not to press down on the patties while cooking.
- Top each patty with 2 slices of chosen cheese during the last minute of cooking to melt. Place the cheeseburger patties on the buns.
- Serve immediately with desired toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard.
Conclusion
When making his famous gourmet burgers, Gordon Ramsay relies on the right high quality ingredients like freshly ground chuck and melty cheese. By using flavorful cheeses like aged Scottish cheddar, nutty Swiss or creamy American, he perfects the cheeseburger. The cheese adds richness and complementary flavor to the juicy beef patties. With his burger philosophy and cooking techniques, you can make amazing cheeseburgers at home just like the brilliant Chef Ramsay.