My Goals and Discoveries
Moist, tender beef
Skipping the usual browning step and treating the ground beef with baking soda yields juicy, tender meat.
Filling that stays put
Using a potato masher to break down the beef to a fine, uniform texture and thickening the sauce with cornstarch delivers a cohesive mixture that stays put on a bun.
Good balance of sweetness and tang
Sweet ketchup is brought into line with savory tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, paprika, and garlic contribute complexity.
Subtle aromatics
Limiting the aromatics to just onion and treating it with baking soda so it fully softens creates a rich, luxurious texture.