Carles Rabada on UnsplashIt's almost impossible to walk down a street in America without passing by at least three different burger joints at every corner. After all, this beloved dish is a classic staple when it comes to American cuisine. From popular fast-food chains like McDonald's and In-N-Out to fancy gourmet restaurants that use expensive ingredients, what's truly amazing is that there are so many different ways to prepare and enjoy them.

But regardless of whether you're craving a greasy Big Mac or a homemade version cooked straight from your backyard, the real question is, what makes a perfect burger? Sure, there are plenty of great burger options out there, but what separates the good from the bad? Is it the toppings, the sauces, or the cooking of the meat? We're about to dive in to explore what we feel truly are the heart and soul of the ultimate burger.

It Starts With The Bun

The bun might not be the first thing you think of when you're picturing the most delicious burger, but these two pieces of bread make all the difference. Think of them as the foundation of every burger. They help keep all the ingredients together, and they're the first thing that hits your mouth as you sink your teeth in. If you think about it, buns have quite the difficult challenge: They have to be hefty enough to hold everything together, but soft enough that it still feels like biting into a cloud.

Still don't agree? Well, just think of how bad a burger would be if you had bad bread to go with it. If it's stale, it immediately ruins the whole meal. If it's too tough, it makes the eating experience less enjoyable. If it's too thin or too thick, it ruins the balance of every bite.

While there's no definite answer as to what the 'best bun' is, many will argue that their go-tos are either potato or brioche buns. And that's likely due to the fact that they check off all the main criteria needed to pass the test: they're soft and pillowy, hold nicely, and add a nice sweet or buttery taste. They hardly ever go wrong as long as they're fresh!

The Patty Has To Be Perfect

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Of course, this is the point you likely had in mind from the get-go. No burger can be called perfect if the meat patty isn't cooked and seasoned to utter perfection. After all, the meat is the true essence of every burger! It's what gives it that juicy texture, that hearty flavor, and that satisfying bite.

To get the patty right, you first need a good blend of high-quality meats. You'll have to experiment with different cuts of beef to find the ultimate mix, but the most important thing is, you need a good amount of fat to make it extra tender and juicy. Getting quality beef is definitely a huge factor, but it can only take you so far—you need to season it well too if you want it to truly shine.

Make sure you hit it with plenty of salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, all the classic seasonings. You don't have to get overly fancy with it; just the basics are enough! Using these core essentials will help bring out the flavor rather than overpower it. With these in hand, any burger will taste its best.

Balanced Toppings

While everyone has different preferences, there are certain qualities you need in your toppings to make your burger well-rounded in both texture and taste. Because sure, bacon is delicious, but adding too much or adding only that can make your burger far too greasy, oily, and heavy.

To get a good mix of everything you want for the ultimate bite, the key toppings you need are cheese, onions, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. Make sure they're as fresh as possible, too! Cheese adds that savory and salty taste, onions and pickles give it some needed acidity to cut the fattiness, and tomatoes and lettuce give it that fresh flavor and crunch to bring it all together. This is the best combination that highlights the patty without outshining it.

Without these essential components, your burger is in danger of tasting too salty, too heavy, or too greasy. But with all these combined, you're in for the perfect bite that really pleases all your senses.