Inspiration for An Elevated Burger

A great burger is more than a casual meal. It’s an opportunity to bring elevated flavors and quality ingredients to the table. With premium locally sourced meats, artisan cheeses, and thoughtful toppings, burger night can easily become something memorable. Our locally-sourced meats provide superior flavor making the ideal for entertaining, for a weeknight luxury, or outdoor grilling.

Preparing the Perfect Burger
A delicious, juicy burger starts with a pattie that is a good mix of fat and lean meat. That’s why pro chefs choose high-quality ground meat that is 80% lean and 20% fat. This 80/20 blend is the sweet spot, providing the perfect balance for the fat content to enhance the flavor and juiciness of the beef, without resulting in a greasy burger.

Beyond the blend itself, excessive handling and kneading of the meat can cause the proteins to bind together more tightly, causing the patties to become more dense and less juicy as they are cooked. That’s why Marin Fine Foods’ burger patties come preformed. 

Our hand-formed Oak Ridge Angus burger patties from Sonoma Meat Company are made from a blend of premium local grass-fed, barley-finished beef, with an ideal 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio. They are pre-formed, so all you need to do is season and cook them. 

Elevating with seasoning and flavors are what can truly transform your burgers, and is a must. Seasoning with a burger-specific blend is a great place to start, but opting for simply salting the pattie prior to cooking will help develop a rich flavor and texture - and provide you with a perfectly seasoned pattie to build the perfect burger.

Before cooking, allow the patties to rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes prior to cooking, which will facilitate more even cooking and help maintain their texture. Choose to grill for a smokey flavor, cook on cast iron for a restaurant style crust, or opt for a flat top for caramelization and even cooking.Regardless of where you are cooking your patties, be sure to adhere to recommended cooking temperatures.

To round out your burger adventure, pair the perfectly seasoned and prepared burger with a delicious tender crumb texture of a  brioche bun,the subtle sweetness of a pretzel bun or a delicious artisan roll, each topped with your favorite fixings. 

Here are three of our favorite ways to elevate your burger with delicious cheeses made right here in Northern California.

Classic Steakhouse Burger
For classic steakhouse burgers, a sharp cheddar from Vella Cheese Company complements the richness of premium beef. When  topped with caramelized onions, you’ll add a bit of sweetness and depth, then finish off your burger with arugula and garlic aioli.
Serving Suggestion: Pair with truffle fries or roasted potatoes.

The Coastal Burger
The boldness of Point Reyes Original Blue cheese adds complexity and pairs beautifully with smoky bacon, arugula and your choice of fig or onion jam.
Serving Suggestion: Pair with a bold red wine or craft porter.

The Mediterranean Burger
Add a Mediterranean flair to your burger with Bella Capra creamy goat feta from Sierra Nevada  Cheese Company. The tart and earthy flavor of the feta is the perfect  complement to a premium burger. For a balanced build, add Tzatziki, roasted red peppers, red opinion, arugula and chopped olives.
Serving Suggestions: Greek pasta salad or roasted vegetables.

Exceptional burgers begin with exceptional ingredients. Are you ready to elevate burger night? With Marin Fine Foods, you can turn a simple burger into an elevated meal.  Explore our selection of premium locally sourced burger patties.