Classically delicious! Hamburg steak (ハンバーグ) is a staple of Japanese-Western cuisine (Yōshoku, 洋食), made primarily from ground beef and pork mixed with minced onions and panko breadcrumbs, then pan-fried. It is popular with people of all ages and is a dish that is often served for special occasions. The Hamburg steak in this recipe is characterized by its fluffy, juicy finish and a slightly sweet, special sauce that pairs perfectly with rice.
This recipe simplifies the cooking process by omitting the step of soaking bread crumbs in milk, and instead utilizes mayonnaise to keep the meat moist and tender. This simple swap makes it easy to make authentic, perfectly cooked hamburger steaks at home!
20 minutes
+1 hour additional bench time
Chiori
PROFILE
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 2
Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings
When scaling the recipe, the ratios of some ingredients may require slight adjustments. Adjust as necessary and season to taste.
- 10.5 oz mix of ground beef and pork
- 0.5 of an onion
- 2 tsp butter
- 0.5 tsp vegetable oil
- A1 egg
- A4 tbsp panko bread crumbs
- A4 tbsp milk
- A1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (heaping)
- A0.5 tsp consommé powder (granulated)
- A0.25 tsp salt
- A0.25 tsp coarse-ground black pepper
- B4 tbsp water
- B3 tbsp Chuno sauce
- B2 tbsp ketchup
- B2 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
INSTRUCTIONS
- 1
Mince the onion, place it in a microwaveable container, and top with butter. Heat in a 600W microwave for 2 minutes without plastic wrap. Mix the butter and onion, heat for 1 more minute, and let it cool slightly.
- 2
Place the ground beef and pork, the cooked onion from Step 1, and the (A) ingredients (egg, panko, milk, mayonnaise, consommé powder, salt, and pepper) into a bowl and knead until sticky. Mix until the lean meat and fat are completely combined and the mixture becomes sticky.
- 3
Divide into 2–4 equal portions. Pass each portion back and forth between your palms to remove excess air, then smooth the surface and re-shape as needed. Place them on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- 4
Heat ½ tbsp. of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the patties, flattening them slightly, and cook for about 2 minutes. Once browned, flip.
- 5
Continue cooking over medium heat for about 1 minute. Once both sides are thoroughly browned, cover with a lid and steam over low heat for 5–6 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them rest for about 3 minutes to finish cooking with residual heat. (Steaming prevents them from being undercooked. We do not recommend piercing them with a skewer to check for doneness, as the delicious juices will escape. If concerned about doneness, use a finger to press gently on the patties. If it springs back, then
- 6
Lay a paper towel in the frying pan to absorb a little of the excess oil. (Keep some of the oil in the pan as this will add extra umami to the sauce.) Discard the paper towel, then add the (B) ingredients (water, Chuno sauce, ketchup, and mirin) and simmer over medium-low heat, mixing well until the sauce thickens.
- 7
Pour the sauce over the plated Hamburg steaks and serve with your preferred side dishes.
RecipeID
609
Tips & Notes
・Heating the onion in the microwave saves time and quickly allows moisture to evaporate, but you can alternately sauté it in a frying pan.
・Let the patties rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Before cooking, smooth the surface. This helps prevent shrinkage and locks the delicious juices inside.
・Adding mayonnaise to the meat mixture results in a fluffy and juicy finish.
・Finishing the cooking with residual heat prevents undercooking and results in a tender texture.
・The sauce is on the sweeter side, so it is kid-friendly.
・For meal prep: You can freeze the cooked hamburger steaks alone or after coating them in the sauce. Store in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible, for up to 1 month.
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I live in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and I’m a mother of two daughters who both love to eat. As a working mom, my realistic, everyday recipes have resonated with many, and as of May 2024, I’m grateful to have over 380,000 followers on Instagram. Thank you so much for your support! From a homemaker’s perspective, my motto is to create recipes that make families happy and help busy women. I share dishes that can be made even more delicious with just a small twist using seasonings you already have at home. Along with recipes, I also post daily tips on cooking techniques to enhance flavor and handy food storage methods that make life in the kitchen easier.