Hamburgers breadcrumbs, eggs why

Hamburgers: breadcrumbs, eggs why?

First off, hamburgers are my favorite.

I have been trying to learn how to cook the best hamburger that "I" can enjoy (and my friends too). I am curious on the ingredients that I have found from recipes (from my dad and friends). All of my friends use breadcrumbs and eggs in their burgers, but I never understood why.

Do these two ingredients make the meat stick together, or are there other ingredients that are better at making the meat stick together that don't take away from the flavor of the meat itself? I have read that using breadcrumbs (or maybe eggs, don't remember) make the hamburgers taste more like meatloaf. I love meatloaf, but I want my hamburgers to taste like hamburgers.

In my opinion, using breadcrumbs or eggs changes the flavor of the meat. Maybe it is a good thing or it could be a bad thing...I have know idea.

I like to put some garlic, tony's (louisiana season), sometimes cayenne pepper (depends on how I'm feeling), and worcestershire (just to give the burgers more of a bold taste and to help moisturize the meat.) in my burgers.

What do you think of the eggs and breadcrumbs? I have never tried without it and am nervous to do so.

Other Answers:

Both eggs and breadcrumbs act as binders to hold the meat together...however, I have never used either in hamburgers. I just use good quality meat and whatever seasoning I fancy. However, if you skip the binders, go easy on moist flavorings like worcestershire, or your patties will fall apart easily.

Season as you like but the one thing that you do not want to do is press down on the meat while it is cooking. You want all of the meat juice to stay in the patty. Pushing down on the patty while it is cooking is the number one mistake that people make when they cook burgers patty.

you are right breadcrumbs and eggs make meatloaf. get some 72/28 plain old ground beef make patties and season with salt pepper and Worcestershire and grill em on charcoal and they cant be beat add the rest of the stuff you like on the bun. if you can find all natural beef it is even better.

The egg helps the meat stick together. The breadcrumbs absorb the egg and help as well, but they also absorb the drippings from the meat and make the burgers more moist and delicious.