Every family needs a go-to hamburger recipe, and this one is a winner! Perfect for summer barbecues, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to time and again. It’s also a great starting point for teaching kids how to cook—a simple yet versatile dish they can add to their own repertoire as they grow older and become more independent in the kitchen.
As a pediatric dietitian, I’ve added a healthy twist by using lean beef to keep saturated fat in check and sneaking in some grated carrot for an extra veggie boost. This recipe has a special place in my heart—it was taught to me by my dear friend Kel during my dietetics uni days, and I’ve been making it (with a few tweaks) for over 20 years! My kids love it, and I hope your family will too.
Pro tip: Double the batch and pack leftovers in school lunchboxes—because who doesn’t love a hamburger for lunch? And don’t forget the sides; they really complete the meal!
Ingredients
500g lean beef mince
1 onion, finely diced or grated
1 clove garlic finely diced
2 peeled + finely grated carrots
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
3 Tbs Beerenberg Tomato sauce (or similar good quality tomato sauce)
1Tbs sweet chilli sauce
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Salt & Pepper
To Serve:
your choice of
– bbq/grilled red onion
– sliced tomato
– lettuce
– beetroot
– cheddar cheese
– Hamburger buns
– Condiments- ketchup, Mustard, Beerenberg burger relish
You might also like to serve these with some home made oven fries, or sides of corn cooked on the BBQ.
Directions:
Start your prep by dicing the onion, garlic and peeling and finely grating the carrots. Chop your parsley. In a large bowl add mince meat, onion, garlic, carrot, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley and herbs. Use hands to mix it altogether. Form into burger sized patties (you might like to make smaller one for younger kids and bigger ones for older kids and adults). Place on a plate and pop back into the fridge for 20mins (this helps them keep their shape when cooking).
During this time, prepare any sides you want to serve with your burgers.
Heat your BBQ grill (or hot plate with heavy based frying pan) to medium high. Add a good splash of olive oil and when hot cook patties for between 10 – 12 mis, turning once half way through. Just before you patties are cooked, add a slice of cheddar cheese to the top in the final minutes. This allows the cheese to melt and become gooey and delicious in your burger. Cut your hamburger buns in half and toast gently for around 30 seconds.
Assemble your burgers.
Top Tip: Serving hamburgers “family buffet” style—where everyone builds their own burger—is a fantastic way to engage kids at mealtime. This approach encourages young children to explore new foods at their own pace, promoting curiosity and reducing fussiness over time. Avoid pressuring them to include specific toppings, as this can backfire by reinforcing their preference for familiar foods. Instead, let them experiment and choose freely—it’s a gentle way to support their food confidence and expand their palate in the long run.