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Burgers, Properly Considered – A Grid Iron Gourmet Guide

A good burger is one of the purest expressions of beef. There is very little to hide behind, which is why quality of meat, fat content and handling matter far more than clever toppings or heavy seasoning. This guide sets out the different burger options available through Grid Iron, and how to get the very best from each using sound, repeatable technique.

INGREDIENTS

(Choose one primary option, plus simple seasoning)

  • Native Breed Beef Burgers (ready-made, unseasoned)
  • Wagyu Beef Burgers (ready-made, unseasoned)
  • Gourmet Burger Mince (brisket, chuck & short rib blend)
  • Wagyu Burger Mince
  • Fine sea salt
  • Neutral oil or beef dripping (for pan cooking)

Optional additions (used sparingly):

  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Unsalted butter (for basting)
  • Cheese of choice
METHOD

General Principles (Apply to All Burgers)

  1. Remove burgers or mince from the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking.
  2. Season only the outside of the meat, and only just before cooking.
  3. Use high heat to develop a good crust, then finish gently.
  4. Flip once where possible and avoid pressing the burger.
  5. Rest briefly before serving.

Native Breed Beef Burgers (Ready-Made)

  1. Heat a heavy pan, griddle or barbecue to medium-high.
  2. Lightly oil the surface, not the burger.
  3. Season the burgers on both sides with salt.
  4. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until well browned.
  5. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.

These burgers are naturally well balanced, with intramuscular fat providing moisture and depth without heaviness.

Wagyu Beef Burgers (Ready-Made)

  1. Heat a pan or griddle to medium-high, avoiding aggressive heat.
  2. Season lightly just before cooking.
  3. Cook gently for 2½–3½ minutes per side.
  4. Do not press – allow the fat to render naturally.
  5. Rest briefly before serving.

Wagyu burgers benefit from restraint. Simple cooking and minimal additions allow the richness of the beef to come through.

Gourmet Burger Mince (Brisket, Chuck & Short Rib)

  1. Divide mince into loose portions (150–180g is ideal).
  2. Shape gently into patties slightly wider than your bun.
  3. Chill for 15 minutes to firm up.
  4. Season just before cooking.
  5. Cook over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side.

This blend gives structure, richness and a loose eating texture similar to good independent burger restaurants.

Wagyu Burger Mince

  1. Keep the mince well chilled before shaping.
  2. Form thinner patties than usual, handling as little as possible.
  3. Season lightly just before cooking.
  4. Cook over medium heat, allowing fat to render slowly.
  5. Rest briefly before serving.

Wagyu mince works particularly well for smaller burgers or smash-style cooking.

Multi-Cooker Option (Ninja Foodi / Similar)

Best suited to: Ready-made burgers or thicker patties

  1. Preheat on Sear/Sauté (High) or Air Crisp at 200°C.
  2. Lightly oil the cooking surface.
  3. Cook burgers for 3–4 minutes per side.
  4. If adding cheese, switch off heat and allow residual warmth to melt it.

Avoid overcrowding and keep temperatures controlled, particularly with Wagyu.

Final Note

The strength of the Grid Iron burger range lies in choice. From ready-made burgers for ease and consistency to carefully blended mince for full control, the guiding principle remains the same: start with good beef, treat it gently, and let it speak for itself.

Shop for Ingredients

Wagyu Burger Mince – 1kg

Make Wagyu Burgers at Home

This is the Wagyu version of our Gourmet Burger Mince. Made from a blend of chuck, short rib and brisket. The fat content from North Yorkshire Wagyu makes this mince perfect for the beefiest tasting burgers.

£19.50

Gourmet Burger Mince

Perfect for Smash Burgers

Introducing our Gourmet Burger Mince, the ultimate choice for crafting restaurant-quality burgers right in your own kitchen. Sourced exclusively from Native Breed Beef, our mince is a  balanced blend of chuck, brisket, and short rib. Each cut is chosen for its specific fat content and flavour profile, ensuring that every burger you create is exceptionally juicy, rich, and full of depth.

Price range: £16.98 through £84.90

Native Breed Beef Burgers Box (8 x 6oz)

North Yorkshire Native Breed Beef Burgers

From cattle grazed on North Yorkshire pastures, these burgers are 100% beef with nothing added. The beef is allowed to age for a minimum of 10 days to allow the flavour to develop before being made into 6oz patties.

Original price was: £23.12.Current price is: £20.81.

Wagyu Burgers – 8 x 6oz

North Yorkshire Wagyu Beef Burgers

Made from cuts of marbled Wagyu forequarter beef that has been aged for a minimum of 10 days. The Wagyu beef cattle are pastured on a farm in North Yorkshire where they have the benefit of lush grass fields and are able to mature and put on weight naturally to add a great depth of flavour to the meat.

The extra fat from the Wagyu along with the ageing of the meat results in a beefy flavour.

£27.20

Sides

  • Hand-cut chips or skin-on fries, crisp and lightly salted
  • Buttered greens such as savoy cabbage or spring greens
  • Slow-cooked onions or onion marmalade
  • Simple dressed leaf salad to cut richness
  • Potato salad with mustard and herbs

Matches

  • Mature cheddar or blue cheese
  • Pickles, gherkins or fermented cabbage
  • Mustard, horseradish or restrained mayonnaise
  • Soft brioche or potato buns

Related Recipes & Guides

Minced Beef Recipes

Grid Iron Gourmet - Stuffed Peppers r

Beef Recipes

Feather Blade Steaks
Preparation Time: 10–15 minutes (including shaping if using mince)
Cooking Time: 6–10 minutes, depending on thickness and style

Hot Tips

  • Never mix salt into mince – it tightens texture.
  • Make patties wider than the bun; they shrink as they cook.
  • Smash burgers need very high heat and absolute commitment – smash once only.
  • The richer the beef, the simpler the build should be.

Pairings

Red Wine

  • Beaujolais or Gamay – light, fresh and low tannin
  • Côtes du Rhône – gentle spice without weight
  • Young Rioja – fruit-forward and food-friendly

White Wine

  • Dry Riesling – acidity cuts richness
  • Picpoul de Pinet – fresh and saline
  • Unoaked Chardonnay – texture without heaviness

Beer & Cider

  • Session pale ale – bitterness balances fat
  • Amber ale – malt sweetness suits beef
  • Dry cider – particularly good with Wagyu

Non-Alcoholic

  • Sparkling water with lemon
  • Cloudy apple juice
  • Lightly hopped alcohol-free beer

Recipe Collections