Make Burgers 10x More Flavorful With A Bottle Of This 1862 Sauce

When you want the perfect burger that's nice and juicy and full of flavor, you could go the simple route and just season it with salt and pepper. You can add mayo to your burger for more fat that will permeate the patty, or give your beef the taco treatment before it goes on the grill. But one simple condiment may be all you need to improve your burgers. It's got a bit of tang and a whole lot of history dating back to 1862. Try seasoning your meat with A.1. sauce.

Sure, there are a lot of accoutrements you can add to a burger: Worcestershire sauce for flavor and acidity, a bit of onion powder, or maybe even some tomato paste — but A.1. has it all. Although it's become a favorite for American steaks, it works well with burgers because it packs a lot of flavor. Made primarily of tomato puree, vinegar, and corn syrup, it delivers more complex flavors than beef and salt alone. It also contains other ingredients, like celery, dried garlic, and raisin paste. And while it may seem a little strange for a burger, some of the tanginess of A.1. comes from the crushed orange puree in the recipe, which helps cut through the richness of the beef. It's a wonderful mixture of sweet, tart, and umami flavors, which is exactly what your burger needs to take it to the next level.

The history of A.1. is a little unclear, but it appears to have been created by King George IV's chef, Henderson William Brand, around 1821, and it was introduced to the world at London's International Exhibition in 1862 as "Brand's International Sauce." Allegedly, the name comes from King George rating it as "A1" for taste and quality.

To make your patties with A.1., you can simply add ¼ cup of the sauce per pound of ground beef. Don't get too vigorous as you mix them together, or you might end up with chewy burgers. But when it's mixed in lightly, the vinegar in A.1. may help tenderize the meat while also balancing the flavor so it's not just fatty and greasy. If you want more of an herbaceous hit, you can add a little diced rosemary. And while a simple addition of A.1. is an easy way to make a tasty burger, you can still use whatever other spices you normally would. It's something simple to grab from the fridge or pantry for a quick kick of flavor.