For quick and easy burgers or beef patties, many home cooks turn to pre-made “beef patty mix”. This convenient product takes the guesswork out of seasoning ground beef. But what exactly is beef patty mix, and when should you use it?
In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about beef patty mix including
- What it is and what’s in it
- How it compares to regular ground beef
- The pros and cons of using patty mix
- How to cook with it for burgers, meatballs, etc.
- Where to find and buy beef patty mix
- How to make your own homemade patty mix
After reading this, you’ll be a beef patty mix expert ready to whip up quick beef patties and burgers anytime!
What Is Beef Patty Mix?
Beef patty mix is a pre-seasoned ground beef product used to make hamburgers, meatballs, meatloaf and other beef dishes. It contains ground beef blended with a proprietary mix of spices, salt, pepper and sometimes binders like breadcrumbs or powdered milk.
The seasoning blends vary by brand but commonly contain
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Ground mustard
- Ground coriander
- Salt
- Pepper
Using beef patty mix eliminates the need to manually mix in all these ingredients yourself It provides ready-to-cook seasoned beef in one quick package.
How Does Beef Patty Mix Compare To Regular Ground Beef?
There are a few key differences between regular raw ground beef and seasoned beef patty mix:
1. Pre-seasoned
The main difference is that patty mix comes pre-mixed with spices for flavor. Regular ground beef is just the raw beef without any added seasonings.
2. Leaner
Many patty mix blends are made from leaner beef with less fat content than standard supermarket ground beef. This helps the patties hold together better.
3. May Contain Binders
Some patty mixes include powdered milk, breadcrumbs or eggs as binders and fillers. This also helps with binding and moisture retention.
4. Formed Into Patties
While you can buy bulk beef patty mix, it also comes pre-formed into patties for convenience. Regular ground beef is loose.
Aside from those differences, patty mix cooks up very similar to regular ground beef. It provides an easy seasoned beef base for burgers, meatballs and more!
The Pros and Cons of Using Beef Patty Mix
Beef patty mix provides some handy benefits, but also has some downsides to consider:
Pros:
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Saves prep time – No need to mix your own spices and seasonings.
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Uniform flavor – Produces consistent, evenly spiced beef every time.
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Holds shape well – Lean mix and binders help patties and meatballs hold their shape.
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Convenient – Finds in pre-made patties, just open and cook.
Cons:
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Less control over flavor – You rely on whatever spices the manufacturer uses.
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Can dry out – Extra lean mix and fillers can lead to drier patties.
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More processed – Not as “natural” as raw beef you season yourself.
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Cost – Pre-seasoned mix can cost more than regular ground beef per pound.
For most home cooks, the convenience and consistency of beef patty mix outweighs the downsides. But it comes down to personal cooking preferences.
How To Cook With Beef Patty Mix
Beef patty mix functions similar to regular raw ground beef in recipes. Here are cooking tips:
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Burgers – Form into patties and pan-fry, grill or broil. Avoid overworking the meat.
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Meatballs – Roll into balls and bake, pan-fry, simmer in sauce, or cook in a slow cooker.
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Meatloaf – Mix with eggs and any other binders or fillers. Bake in a loaf pan.
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Tacos – Brown in a skillet for taco filling. Add taco seasoning if desired.
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Pasta sauce – Cook crumbled mix in tomato sauce for Bolognese or ragu.
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Chili – Use as the ground beef for easy chili. Add beans and chili spices.
With some simple shaping or seasoning, patty mix can be transformed into a variety of family-friendly meals.
Where To Buy Beef Patty Mix
If you want to give this handy ingredient a try, here’s where to find it:
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Grocery store meat counters – Many butcher counters offer their own custom beef patty mix. This allows you to request specific fat percentages and seasons.
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Warehouse clubs – Stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s often carry pre-made beef patty mixes. Look near the raw meat section.
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Online shops – Several online butchers sell seasoned beef patty blends. This makes it easy to buy in bulk.
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Restaurant supply stores – Restaurant suppliers like Gordon Food Service have patty mixes made for commercial kitchens. Sold in large packs but quality can be high.
Check the label for ingredients as blends vary between brands. Look for at least 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for burgers. And note if it contains any fillers or binders like breadcrumbs or milk powder if you want a more natural mix.
How To Make Your Own Homemade Beef Patty Mix
For the freshest taste and most control, you can easily whip up your own homemade beef patty mix:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 1 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄2 tsp paprika
- 1⁄4 tsp ground coriander
- Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions:
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika and coriander. Mix lightly with hands until blended.
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For burgers, divide into 4 equal portions and gently form patties about 1-inch thick, being careful not to overwork meat.
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For meatballs, form meat mixture into 1-2 inch balls.
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Cook patties or meatballs as desired, pan-frying, grilling, baking, etc.
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Freeze any unused portions for later use.
With these basic spices on hand, you can season ground beef in just 2 minutes without any special patty mix required. Customize the flavors to your taste!
FAQs About Beef Patty Mix
Here are answers to some common questions about this popular product:
Is patty mix just seasoned ground beef?
Basically, yes! It’s raw ground beef blended with spices, salt, pepper and sometimes binders like breadcrumbs or powdered milk.
What’s the best fat ratio for patties?
80% lean / 20% fat ground beef provides the juiciest burgers and patties. Leaner beef dries out more easily.
Can you make meatballs with patty mix?
Absolutely! Just form the mix into balls and cook as desired. The seasonings are perfect for meatballs.
Do you have to cook frozen patties fully frozen?
No, thaw patties in the fridge before cooking for better texture. Cooking from frozen can lead to dryness.
How long does open patty mix last in the fridge?
Store opened bulk packs in the fridge for just 2-3 days. Pre-formed patties last 1-2 days once opened.
The Takeaway On Beef Patty Mix
Beef patty mix provides home cooks with a quick and convenient shortcut to seasoned ground beef. While not quite as fresh or customizable as DIY seasoning, the uniform flavor and ease makes it an appealing option for patties, meatballs, chili and more family meals.
Just be mindful of added fillers or overly lean mixes than can dry out. When buying, look for at least 20% fat content and check the ingredients list. Or make your own homemade blend in just minutes.
So next time a recipe calls for spiced ground beef, don’t labor over measuring out a seasoning blend. Reach for a pack of beef patty mix instead and let the convenience begin!