Adding apples: The secret to juicier, tastier meat patties

No one likes hard and dry meat patties. Unfortunately, even the best-looking ones can sometimes lack the right texture and taste bland. To ensure juiciness in this dish, I recommend trying a trick with an unusual ingredient: a piece of grated fruit mixed with the raw meat.

It may seem that everything has already been said regarding meat patties. Are you sure? It turns out that adding one unusual ingredient – an apple – can bring a completely new quality to this traditional dish. Meat patties with apple are a modern take on a classic recipe. The apple adds a subtle acidity and juiciness that blends perfectly with the meat. As a result, the patties become lighter and more refreshing. This is a great option for those who are looking for new flavours while wanting to keep tradition alive.

The texture of the patties is one thing, but it's also important to maintain the classic taste of the dish. Too sweet an apple can make the whole thing too bland. Sour-sweet varieties will be the best choice for this recipe. Lobo or Gray Reinette, will work as well. Ultimately, you can also use the popular "green apple," i.e., Granny Smith.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of ground meat (preferably pork-beef mix),
• 1 medium apple (preferably sour, e.g., Granny Smith),
• 1 medium onion,
• 2 cloves of garlic,
• 1 egg,
• 100 grams of breadcrumbs,
• salt, pepper, and other favourite spices,
• oil for frying.

1. To prepare the patties, start by peeling the apple and grating it on a fine grater. Squeeze out the excess juice.
2. Next, chop the onion and garlic, and sauté the onion in a pan until translucent.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated apple, sautéed onion, chopped garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, and spices. The mixture should be uniform but not too dry.
4. Form the patties and fry them in heated oil over medium heat until golden.

Adding an apple to meat patties may seem unusual, but it has many health and flavour benefits. The apple, as a source of many vitamins, especially vitamin C and fibre, enriches the flavour notes of meat dishes. This makes the patties not only tastier but also lighter and more refreshing. Moreover, the apple juice softens meat fibres, making the patties juicier.