Summary:

In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans dive deep into the art and evolution of the burger, with a special focus on wild game and foraged ingredients. They trace the burger’s origins from the Mongol Empire to today’s gourmet variations, highlighting its transformation from a humble meal to a canvas for culinary creativity. The duo explores essential burger-building techniques—from selecting the right protein, bun, and fat content to grinding meat, shaping patties, and using fillers and binders for optimal texture. They also emphasize the importance of resting the meat and choosing toppings that balance flavor and texture. Personal preferences and inventive recipes take center stage, with a playful twist as they create wild burgers using unconventional ingredients. Throughout, the conversation celebrates experimentation and encourages listeners to explore the endless possibilities of burger-making.

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Links:

Moroccan Style Lake Trout Burger

Seared Tuna Burger

Moose Burgers on Bannock Buns

Havarti Stuffed Venison Burgers

Takeaways:

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  Wild burgers made from venison, bear, or foraged ingredients offer a unique, pride-filled twist on tradition.

  
  


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  Fat content and fillers are key to achieving juicy, well-textured patties, especially with lean wild game.

  
  


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  Toppings can elevate or detract from flavor—balance, texture, and order all matter.

  
  


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  Cooking methods, grinding, and resting techniques significantly impact taste and moisture.

  
  


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  The burger has evolved from Mongol roots to a global icon, now reinvented with gourmet ingredients and creative twists.

  
  


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  Experimentation with styles, toppings, and sliders leads to fun and flavorful discoveries.

  
  

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Wild Burgers

01:29 Exploring Wild Ingredients

02:26 The History of the Burger

10:02 The Evolution of the Burger

12:26 The Wild Burger Build Off

22:24 Crafting the Perfect Burger: Ingredients and Techniques

24:46 Building Better Burgers: Choosing the Right Bun

27:49 Selecting the Right Protein for Wild Game Burgers

31:21 The Importance of Fat in Burger Making

34:11 Fillers and Binders: Enhancing Burger Texture

37:37 Grinding and Shaping: The Foundation of a Great Burger

40:58 Cooking Techniques: Searing vs. Grilling Burgers

43:52 Final Touches: Toppings and Resting Your Burger

46:40 The Art of Burger Toppings

52:50 Unusual Burger Toppings and Personal Preferences

59:36 Burger Cooking Techniques and Styles

1:03:34 Creative Burger Recipes and Innovations

Keywords:

Wild burgers, venison, bear, trout, foraged toppings, burger history, burger evolution, wild game, cooking techniques, grilling, burger recipes, unique recipes, burger making, burger styles, burger build-off, flavor balance, protein selection, burger ingredients, food conservation, culinary tips, burger toppings, cooking methods

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