Quick Answer
If you don’t have a burger press, there are a few handy alternatives you can use to shape your burger patties:
- Use a round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut uniform circles out of ground meat.
- Form patties inside a rimmed baking sheet or cake pan, using the edges as guides.
- Use a sturdy drinking glass, bowl, or jar to shape the meat into rounds.
- For Slider-sized patties, use a large ice cube tray as a mold.
- Flatten balls of meat using your hands, a spatula, or a heavy pan.
While you can make do without a burger press, having one makes shaping consistent patties easy and fast. Investing in a simple handheld burger press is inexpensive and worthwhile if you enjoy making burgers regularly.
What Tools Can Substitute for a Burger Press?
You don’t need any fancy gadgets or culinary tools to shape great burger patties. In most cases, items you already have in your kitchen can substitute for a burger press in a pinch:
Round Cookie or Biscuit Cutter
Using a round cookie or biscuit cutter is one of the easiest ways to punch uniform circles out of ground beef. Press the cutter straight down into the meat, cutting through to the work surface below. Lift the cutter up carefully. The edges of the burger patty should hold its round shape. Make patties of any desired thickness.
You can find cookie and biscuit cutters in a range of sizes, from 1-inch diameters for Sliders up to 4 inches or more for large restaurant-style burgers. For consistency, choose a cutter that makes patties approximately the same diameter as your burger buns.
Rimmed Baking Sheet
A rimmed baking sheet can also help shape uniform burger patties. Lightly oil the pan first to prevent sticking. Divide the meat into portions and gently shape each into a loose ball. Place on the oiled pan and press down to flatten against the bottom surface. Use the edges of the pan as a guide to keep the edges straight.
The raised sides ensure even thickness and diameter. Remove the shaped patties carefully with a spatula to prevent breaking them.
Cake Pan
For a slightly smaller mold, use a round cake pan in place of a baking sheet. The cylindrical sides will keep the patties a uniform size and thickness. Lightly coat the inside of the pan with oil first before shaping the meat.
Drinking Glass, Bowl, or Jar
Invert a sturdy drinking glass, bowl, or wide-mouth jar over the ground meat to shape it into a patty. Press down gently but firmly, using the rim as a mold. Lift off vertically to reveal a perfect burger patty circle.
Make sure you choose a glass or bowl with straight, vertical sides and a diameter similar to your hamburger buns. The thickness of the glass or bowl will determine the thickness of the patties.
Ice Cube Trays
For bite-sized Slider burgers, use a large ice cube tray as an improvised burger press. Lightly oil each cube space first so the meat doesn’t stick. Compress the meat firmly into each mold with your fingers. Run a butter knife around the edges to loosen, if needed. Flip over the tray onto a plate or cutting board to release the mini-patties.
Make sure you use a sturdy, durable ice cube tray suited for freezing foods, not flimsy plastic trays prone to bending or cracks. Silicone molds also work great for this.
Handmade Patties
You can also shape burger patties freehand by flattening balls of ground meat between your palms. Place a 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick meatball onto a clean, flat surface lightly dusted with flour. Press down with your hands, fingers, or the flat side of a spatula to flatten into a patty of desired thickness.
Use straight, even motions to maintain an even circular shape. While not as perfect-looking as pressed patties, hand-flattened patties will taste just as delicious. You can also pan-fry the meatballs briefly before flattening to help them hold together better.
Tips for Shaping Burger Patties Without a Press
Using homemade tools to shape burger patties takes a little more care than using a dedicated press. Here are some tips:
Work With Cold Meat
Chilled meat holds its shape much better than room temperature beef when shaping. For best results, always work with ground beef straight from the refrigerator. Re-chill patties before grilling or pan frying if preparing ahead of time.
Use Light Pressure
When shaping patties by hand, use gentle, even pressure. Compressing the meat too firmly can lead to dense, tough patties. Handle the patties delicately when removing from improvised molds.
Grease Molds and Tools
Lightly coat any improvised shaping tools with nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil before using. This prevents the meat from sticking and allows easy release.
Don’t Overwork the Meat
Excessively kneading or reworking the meat can toughen the protein strands, resulting in a rubbery texture. Gently shape into loose balls and handle patties as little as possible once formed.
Make Indentations in the Center
Use your thumb to make a shallow indentation in the center of each flattened patty. This prevents the burgers from puffing up and bulging in the middle as they cook.
Check for Uniformity
Visually inspect patties before cooking to make sure they are roughly the same size and thickness. Uniform patties cook evenly and fit bun sizes.
Why Invest in a Burger Press?
While the above household items can substitute for a burger press, there are good reasons to consider purchasing one:
Speed
A burger press with multiple molds or slots allows you to shape several patties at once very quickly. Great for batch cooking burgers for a crowd or meal prepping.
Consistency
The best presses produce professional-looking patties with uniform size, shape, and thickness for even cooking. Molds make square, round, or specialty shaped patties.
Durability
Quality burger presses are made of thick cast iron or aluminum to withstand years of use and frequent washing.
Compact Storage
Presses are far more compact than bulky baking sheets or pans. Models with a handheld squeeze design take up barely any space.
Nonstick Coating
Good presses have a coated or seasoned interior so meat releases easily without sticking.
Versatility
Use a press to shape other foods like veggie or seafood patties, flattened meatballs, pupusa dough, and more.
Here is a comparison of common burger press types:
| Press Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hinged handheld | Compact, easy to use and clean, makes 2-4 patties at once | Relatively small, not as fast as presses with more molds |
| Slider press | Makes many mini-patties quickly, great for parties | Only makes small patties, more limited uses |
| Large cast iron | Heavy-duty, multiple molds for fast prep, seasoned coating | Bulky for storage, heavy to handle |
| Interchangeable plate press | Make various shapes and thicknesses, durable | Parts require assembly, more expensive |
Considerations When Buying a Burger Press
Think about the following when shopping for the right burger press for your needs:
- Number of molds – More molds speed up patty prep time
- Adjustable thickness – Look for a press with interchangeable plates to make thin or thick patties
- Nonstick surface – Coated aluminum or seasoned cast iron prevents sticking
- Durability – Opt for sturdy construction that won’t bend, warp, or crack
- Easy to clean – Minimal grooves and simple design make washing easier
- Compact storage – Choose a smaller press if space is limited
- Special shapes – Some presses make square or other shaped patties
- Right size – Consider patty diameter in relation to your burger buns
Also factor in how often you make burgers and your budget. Casual grillers can find quality basic presses for under $20, while more serious home cooks may want a high-end press for frequent use.
Conclusion
While improvised burger presses get the job done, having an actual press makes patty prep faster with beautiful results. They allow you to consistently achieve uniform, restaurant-quality burgers at home. Given the small investment, a burger press is a worthwhile addition to your grilling tools if you enjoy making juicy homemade hamburgers.