Ballpark Foods: How Cheeseburgers Are Made

Welcome to Ballpark Foods!

Welcome to our series "Ballpark Foods" where we take you behind the scenes to discover how your favorite stadium foods are made! From hot dogs to nachos, we're exploring all the delicious treats that make watching sports even more fun. Today, we're sinking our teeth into a true American classic: the cheeseburger!

The Mouthwatering Experience

Imagine this: You're sitting in the stands on a sunny day. The crowd roars as players take the field. Then you take a big bite of a juicy cheeseburger. The warm beef patty is perfectly cooked. Melted cheese drips down the sides. The soft bun holds everything together while fresh toppings add the perfect crunch. Each bite combines savory meat, gooey cheese, and the sweetness of ketchup and pickles. It's the taste of good times at the ballpark!

Basic Ingredients

A ballpark cheeseburger starts with simple ingredients:

• Ground beef (usually 80% lean, 20% fat)
• Cheese slices (often American or cheddar)
• Hamburger buns
• Salt and pepper
• Toppings like lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles
• Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise

How Cheeseburgers Are Made at the Ballpark

Preparing the Meat

The journey of a cheeseburger begins with the beef. Stadium kitchens receive fresh ground beef each morning. Cooks measure out portions of about 1/4 pound (4 ounces) of meat for each patty. They gently form the meat into round, flat shapes, being careful not to pack it too tightly. This keeps the burgers juicy! Then they make a small dent in the middle of each patty with their thumb. This helps the burger cook evenly without puffing up in the center.

Seasoning

Next comes seasoning. Most ballpark cheeseburgers are simply seasoned with salt and pepper right before cooking. This brings out the natural flavor of the beef without overpowering it.

Cooking the Patties

Stadium grills get super hot! Cooks place the seasoned patties on the sizzling grill. The high heat quickly sears the outside, locking in juices. Each patty cooks for about 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. Many stadiums cook their burgers to medium-well for food safety.

When the patty is almost done, a slice of cheese goes on top. The cook might cover the burger with a metal dome for a minute. This creates steam that melts the cheese perfectly over the meat.

Preparing the Buns

While the meat is cooking, another cook prepares the buns. They slice the hamburger buns in half and lightly toast them on the grill. Toasting gives the buns a slight crunch and keeps them from getting soggy from the burger juices.

Assembly Time

Assembly happens quickly at busy stadium kitchens! The bottom bun gets a squirt of sauce - usually a combination of ketchup, mustard, or mayo. Then comes the cheeseburger patty, followed by toppings like lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. The top bun is placed on, and sometimes the whole burger is wrapped in paper to make it easier to eat in the stands.

From Grill to Fan

Once assembled, cheeseburgers are placed in warming containers until they're ordered. When you place your order, the server grabs a fresh burger and hands it to you, ready to enjoy as you watch the game!

Nothing beats the taste of a classic cheeseburger while cheering for your team at the stadium. It's a delicious tradition that brings together America's love for sports and great food!