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Lela’s Famous Burgers

March 2nd, 2009 by Foodie

This is the recipe Gordon Ramsay used on Kitchen Nightmares when he went to Lela’s and created Lela’s Famous Burger. I’ve prepared this recipe three times and been delighted each time! These hamburgers taste best when prepared on the grill, but can be a little difficult because they tend to crumble. I suggest squeezing as much liquid out of the hamburger patties as possible before putting them on the BBQ. Don’t forget to add some color to the burgers while cooking them.

For best results you should get your hamburger meat from a local butcher and avoid prepackaged patties at all costs! Prepackaged hamburger patties are uneven in flavor and taste. Use a meat which has about 15% fat for a nice balance between flavor, health, and price.

Good luck and let me know how it works out for you!

Lela’s Famous Burgers:

1LB-1.25LBs Ground Beef
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
1 1/2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard.
Worcestershire Sauce (several splashes)
2 Egg Yolks
3 Tablespoons Ketchup
Enough Red Onion to equally distribute in the ground beef. (I’ve had the best results putting the onion in a food processor)

Cooking the Hamburgers:

Medium heat works best for cooking hamburgers as it allows for nice grill marks and color, but provides enough time to cook the inside without drying it out. Prepare your grill (or your pan) by allowing it to reach medium heat. Place your hamburger patties on the grill (or in the pan) and resist the urge to press them with a spatula or move them around too much; either of these practices will dry out the burgers and can also cause Lela’s Famous Hamburgers to crumble.

Flip your patties after 3 minutes of steady cooking and allow them to cook for 3 more minutes. You may need to flip once or twice more depending on the heat of your grill (or stove). USDA says that the inside of your hamburgers should be 160 degrees before eating. Some of you might like your hamburgers medium, or medium rare. Under cook hamburger patties at your own risk.

Now top those bad boys with some of the freshest tomatoes and lettuce you can get your hands on! You can now enjoy the tastiest hamburgers I’ve ever eaten!

95 Responses

best ramsey fan writes:
December 28th, 20093:21 pmat

i have just recently become a fan of his shows, and i have re-energized myself in the kitchen because of him. i am going to attempt to make this recipe tonite but form it into meatballs for spaghetti. i do not have the dijon mustard, is that necessary? or am i able to sub regular frenchs for it? thank you in advance!
Foodie writes:
December 28th, 20094:10 pmat

You can sub regular yellow mustard. The recipe won’t have quite the same taste, but will be similar. Try using a little less mustard if using regular yellow.
JO writes:
January 1st, 20109:07 amat

If you can’t get Desiree potatoes, what’s the next best kind –Russet, Yukon Gold ??
Gwenjoy writes:
January 3rd, 20105:58 pmat

I made tried this tonight after searching the recipe after watching the “Lela’s” Episode of Kitchen Nightmares. Its pretty good but… It tastes more like meatloaf rather than a burger. I don’t recommend this for anyone looking for a tastier version of a burger. This is more like Mom’s meatloaf on a bun.
Archie Ervin writes:
January 6th, 20108:10 pmat

I’ve made these burgers on several different occasions now and have had only one response….”These burgers are awesome!!!”
Big Ramsay`s fan in Brazil writes:
January 22nd, 20101:56 pmat

Thank you for posting this recipe. My husband (a burger fan) loves it. I have to make it at least once a week.
Victor writes:
January 26th, 20106:34 pmat

They are really good. I cook it for the first time and they came out great.
Plus my kids like them and ask to make them all the time when we have Burgers. Way to go chief Ramsay. I recommend this for anyone looking for a tastier version of a burger. Just try it you may like it.
Matt writes:
January 30th, 201010:13 pmat

Tried this realized I had no kettchup halfway through and used A1 steak sauce was delicious
Foodie writes:
February 1st, 20103:40 amat

I’ve used Yukon Gold in all of my attempts at this recipe. It’s always turned out delicious. I have no idea where to get Desiree potatoes.
Zombiewulfe writes:
March 13th, 20107:42 pmat

For those who think the hamburger tastes like meatloaf, leave the egg yolks out and use half the catsup, replacing with your favorite steak sauce. I also put a slice of pancetta on for those who like the bacon/burger combo. The pancetta doesn’t dominate the flavor of the hamburger like smoked bacon does. Must be done on a grill,though.
val writes:
March 31st, 20108:35 amat

I saw this on TV yesterday and had to track it down. I made it for dinner later that date, and we loved it. It was really moist and had a lot more flavor than what I’ve made in the past. We eat our burgers w/o buns so this was an excellent version of the onion burger I’ve made in the past.
Gordon, keep the simple recipes coming, ones that we might have the ingredients for already. I’m trying the Braised lamb shanks next.
Travis writes:
April 3rd, 20109:56 pmat

I can’t find a way to make these burgers without them falling apart. They are tasty, but I can’t serve them as a burger. What’s the secret?
T. irvine writes:
April 10th, 20101:33 pmat

I tried this burger recipe, but subtituted eggs with beer and added just enough bread crumbs to keep the patties to the desired firmness. Everyone loved them!! You can use a stout for a stonger beer flavour!
Jerome and family (from south of France) writes:
April 11th, 20106:35 amat

Waouh !!! what a so great and delicious burger. we are now absolute fans of this recipe and some our friends will be soon…
Samuelson writes:
April 14th, 20106:22 pmat

I tried them tonight. They seemed to have too much liquid and did not set up right. Even though I gave them much longer than 6min to cook on a side, they crumbled when I tried to flip them. Now don’t get me wrong, they tasted great, I just wish they would have stayed formed.
Ray writes:
May 13th, 20105:29 pmat

Great recipe, yes it does taste like meatloaf, it’s much like a meatloaf recipe. If you don’t want a flavorful burger then just use beef. A couple of suggestions, quality of the meat is an issue, you may do better buying from a local butcher rather than the grocery store. Secondly, and I think most importantly, mix all of the ingredients the day before and refrigerate overnight. This allows allows the flavors to permeate the beef. Then make the patties and grill.
ben writes:
May 14th, 201011:41 amat

yeah i just tried one of his recipes it is realy good man
GalleyQueen writes:
May 24th, 20106:29 pmat

I am making these right now for the first time. I have the meat ready and just waiting for my husband to give me the “10 from home call”. That’s when I’ll start the grill. I’ll no doubt oil the grill so the “stickage” will be less. I’ll report back when we’ve dined.
Jacklynn Donaldson writes:
June 2nd, 201010:39 amat

I recently tried the Lela’s burger recipe and everyone thought it was one of the best burgers they ever had. In fact, one night my boyfriend and I almost got into a fight because he came home and wanted the burgers again and I was tired. Well, ended up giving in to shut him the F up!
Ryansings writes:
July 12th, 20109:07 amat

This hamburger is great. I made some substitutions used white onion instead of red and instead of Dijon mustard we used chipotle mustard and added 1 tablespoon of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of moist to touch but dry horseradish. It melted in our mouths very delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
MELLY writes:
July 23rd, 201010:42 amat

Chef Ramsay!

These burgers are so damn good! I made them for my son’s bday party and everyone was for them days after the party. They are just mouth watering great! I’ve also tried your baked pork chops and Piquant sauce…lovely..very light…you are the best..thank you!
Gaby writes:
July 29th, 20102:09 pmat

These burgers are now a MUST in a household with 3 teen age boys plus dad. I use honey dijon instead of dijon and add avocado and a bit of onion for the garnish. They are AWESOME!!!
disney classics doll jasmine writes:
September 12th, 20108:24 amat

Hi, should say amazing blog you have, i stumbled across it in Bing. Does you get much traffic?
Cecilia Castro writes:
September 22nd, 20109:01 pmat

OMG, Lela’s burger was FANTASTIC. I am a visual artist, but in the kitchen I don’t have any imagination at all. I remember watching Gordon when he made Lela’s burger. Today I wanted to try something simple but delicious so I tried the recipe…OMG – DELICIOUS. My daughter, who doesn’t like a lot of my cooking, loved it. Thank you so much for having the recipe on the website.
Cindy writes:
November 17th, 201012:11 amat

I plan on trying these burgers, but I had hoped to see the recipe for the burgers that were featured on Ramsay’s Kitchen Noghtmares episode at Moore Place. The burgers with the tomato chutney. Watching that episode made my mouth water! I will look through the archives to see if I can find it. If anyone has that recipe, I would be greatful!
J. Kuester writes:
November 30th, 20103:17 pmat

Hmmmm….. I bet this would make a great meatloaf. But not what I was expecting out of a burger. Still delicious though.
Linda Marrtinez writes:
December 19th, 201011:20 amat

Had these burgers last night – they were fabulous – very moist and great taste
Sergi writes:
January 3rd, 20112:38 amat

Deliciosas, para los amantes de las burgers.

Saludos.
Iain Shaw writes:
February 22nd, 20117:19 amat

Tastes great. Been meaning to do these for some time.

Made with Rump steak. I didn’t have a mincer and the food processor is shot so I put the steak in the freezer for about half an hour to firm up the meat and then cut up very finely with a good sharp knife.

I don’t know if I was too heavy on the Ketchup or Worcestershire sauce but I think the mix was too liquid. The burgers broke up when I flipped them. Anyone got any smart ideas on keeping them together. Should I add breadcrumbs?
fede writes:
March 29th, 20115:37 amat

I tried them yesterday and they were amazing! Perfect combination of ingredients, my burgers were tender and tasty, thick and easy to cook. I will use this recipe again and again!
Huntly writes:
April 26th, 20111:33 pmat

WOW! Gordon rules! These were not only great but they satisfied my burger cravings., Keep the simple recipes coming and I can die complete. Who needs french food?
Bronwen writes:
May 17th, 201112:12 pmat

Wow! I just made these and they are sooooo delicious.
Minster writes:
May 25th, 201111:46 pmat

Tried them bad boys out tonight and they were a hit. Patties shrank somewhat so I would suggest making them slight larger than the size of burger buns. Will definitely make them again.
Ilir writes:
June 12th, 20112:39 pmat

How do you add color to burgers?
steve s writes:
June 22nd, 20113:34 pmat

simply awesome
Parker writes:
August 26th, 20113:24 pmat

Great burgers I added a couple of teaspoons of A-1 steak sauce and everyone just loved them!
Victoria writes:
November 5th, 201110:25 pmat

Best ever burger recipe and taste…
Denise writes:
January 11th, 201211:25 amat

very disappointing. After seeing the show I was so excited to try these burgers. After seeing some of the comments here about falling apart, I added some breadcrumbs hoping mine would not fall apart, but they did. I’ll try them again sometime but will lessen the liquid ingredients in the hopes that cooking them will have a better outcome.
christy writes:
January 25th, 20124:02 pmat

The beeeeeeeeest!!!!!!!!!! bugers ever teach the orther chefs please.
PolishCook writes:
January 28th, 20121:01 pmat

this recepie is amazing. One can change it a bit and it will still be as good. Try to add a bit of blue cheese dressing. Gordon greetings from Poland!
kelly writes:
March 15th, 201212:09 pmat

Hi l would like to make your homemade Burgers, but l don’t have a food processor, can you please tell me what l can do please and how much onion. Thanks Kelly
David Tan writes:
March 21st, 20126:43 amat

This recipe is nice! i swapped beef with pork and i didnt have dijon Mustard. at the end i put a piece of cheddar cheese on top and left it to melt abit. very very very nice. Thanks Gordon

I actually saw this on youtube. and i also tried to do the Chips that was featured in the Firebrigade feature, it’s really tasty and the best part is it wasnt deep fried. can i humbly request for the burger recipe that was on the firebrigade the one featured here on youtube

thanks again.
David Tan
Riana writes:
April 23rd, 20124:01 pmat

The best way to make these so they DO NOT fall apart is it to pack them tight so the liquid comes out while your rounding them AND make them the night before…the longer they can rest in the fridge the less likely they fall part…this is my trick anyways:) I LOVE THESE BURGERS!
Andrea writes:
May 15th, 20122:32 pmat

I made this today and let the patties set up in the refrigerator for a time before grilling. This is an excellent recipe – I used Vidalia onions instead of red onions and grilled them to medium/medium rare. This is quite a tasty burger.
Kristy writes:
November 10th, 20125:32 pmat

Loved the burgers. Awesome that we can get recipes :0)

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