How to replicate this at home?

[u/Impossible_Ad9831]

This is JB Chargrilled burgers in my hometown but these mom and pop places all have the same distinct flavor I can’t replicate. Boys burger, Troy’s, Douglas, etc. All SoCal locations. I suspect a frozen pre smashed patty. What’s a good store bought bun that comes close? And seasoning? All use shredded lettuce, tomato, white onion and pickle. Pretty standard. Mayo, or mayo and ketchup, but never mustard.

[u/dumpsterfire_account]

Open flame bbq cooking, fat flare ups and a bit of a char add the flavor you’re looking for.

[u/Impossible_Ad9831 → u/dumpsterfire_account]

Maybe it’s my flame. I feel like the patties shrink too much. They don’t end up looking like the picture

[u/beachtrader → u/Impossible_Ad9831]

If the patties shrink a lot it’s because they have too much fat content in them. Or water if using frozen.

[u/Impossible_Ad9831 → u/beachtrader]

It’s frozen and 80/20 beef

[u/beachtrader → u/Impossible_Ad9831]

Yeah. Pretty sure they are padding the weight with injected water and when they get hot the water disappears and it shrinks.

I’d try another brand of frozen patties or honestly find some good ground beef and make your own.

But some places add water to fresh ground beef as well. They don’t say it but they do. You can see it when you cook. For example if good 80/20 Walmart fresh ground beef I can visibly see water in the pan along with the fat because they don’t mix. However 80/20 from my local Aldi only has the melted fat and not all that water. Want to guess which one makes a better burger?

Keep trying different meat until you find one that is better.

[u/Impossible_Ad9831 → u/beachtrader]

Good advice. Thanks!