As Summer winds down and cooking on the grill becomes less frequent, we are trying to squeeze in every chance we can to barbecue. I have seen articles in the food magazines we get about putting butter on burger patties before grilling them. But it was a segment on a Barefoot Contessa show where chef Laurent Tourondel of LT Burger in Sag Harbor showed his method that made me a convert. His basic burger is made with meat that has 20% fat, salt, pepper, and softened unsalted butter spread on the top of the burger. That was it. Nothing fancy, just basic stuff. The butter of course adds flavor, but it also caramelizes the burger a bit. We have tried it several times, and it really does create a pretty stellar burger. Add a sliced heirloom tomato and you are good to go. It is a tad indulgent, but hey, if you are going to have a burger, it might as well be as tasty as you can make it. Cheers to cooking on the grill in the sunshine!
Yum! That sounds mighty tasty! I’ve only seen butter applied to steaks after they’ve been grilled and never on burgers…I’m gonna try it this weekend. Do you think buttering up a steak before grilling would work in the same way?
Wishing you sunny days this Fall!
Diana Lincoln
That sounds absolutely sinfully delicious! I have been perfecting my gourmet burgers with fresh dill, shallots and dijon, but I think the butter is a necessary edition. As you say, if you’re going to indulge in a burger, do it right!
Hope to stop in to your store soon now that school is back in session. I have learned we have a mutual friend so I’ll bringing her with me. 
See you soon!
Hi Diana. I have not tried the butter idea on steaks on the grill, but I don’t see why not. Don’t they say, everything is better with a bit of butter:). Let me know if you give it a try on steaks. You will adore it on the burgers, Ted
Hi Barbara. You have me so intrigued… Please let me know when you and the mystery guest are planning a trip in, so I make sure I am there. Enjoy your burger! I am adding your goodies the next time we cook them too! Bestest, Ted