Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (2024)

Published / Last modified By Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles / 11 Comments

A Hamburger Steak for Salisbury Steak Recipe with a Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of the secret ingredients added. Discover how the Japanese make hamburger steak with step by step photo instruction and a video.

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Japanese hamburger steak is deliciously tender and juicy. Yes, hamburger steak did not originate in Japan, however, it is one of the popular Yoshoku menu items and the Japanese have made their own tweaks to elevate the dish to be more delicious than the original. So I am going to share my hamburger steak recipe with secret ingredients.

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (1)

What’s the difference between Japanese Hamburger Steak vs Hamburger Steak?

Yoshoku is Japanese versions of western-style dishes such as Korokke Japanese potato croquettes, Hayashi Rice and Chicken Nanban. Japanese hamburger steak is one of the popular yoshoku dishes in Japan. The main difference is that many Japanese hamburger steak recipes often add tofu and panko to make sure the hamburger steak is soft and juicy.

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (2)

Ingredients

  • Ground meat – Japanese often make hamburger steak from “Aibiki mince”. Aibiki is minced beef and pork combined. The larger the pork portion in the mixture the more tender the hamburger steak will be generally speaking. I add tofu and panko to make it even more tender so the best ratio of beef to pork is 80% : 20%.
  • Tofu – this is my number one secret ingredient. Well, it is not so much a secret in Japan as this is a popular technique to add tofu when making hamburger steak. In Japan, people substitute expensive meat with cheap tofu to bulk up the volume of the hamburger steak.
Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (3)
  • Panko – is the number two secret ingredient. Adding panko is also a popular technique to make the hamburger steak soft. It also acts as a great absorbent for the excess moisture from the tofu and meat.
  • Onion – add subtle sweetness, umami flavour and aroma. In order to save cooking time, chop the onion super fine. Also, use a sharp knife to do the chopping, or the onion’s umami component will be lost if the fibre of the onion is squished by a blunt knife.
  • Salt & Nutmeg – The protein adhesiveness increases with salt so that when the hamburger steak is cooked, it will hold the shape and not crumble. Nutmeg eliminates the meat smell and enhances the umami flavour.
Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (4)

Tips to Make Japanese Hamburger Steak successfully?

1. Caramelise Onion

Cut Onion finely with a sharp knife and cook with 1 tbsp of oil to caramelise the onion. Sweetness of the onion will be enhanced by caramelisation and it adds Umami to the Hamburger (process photos 1 and 2).

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (5)

2. Add Tofu and Panko

Remove excess moisture from Tofu by cooking it in boiling water for 5 minutes. It sounds like doing the opposite but actually cooking tofu takes moisture out. After 5 minutes of boiling, wrap with a sheet of kitchen paper towel and leave it for 5 minutes. (Process photos 3 and 4)

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (6)

3. The Ground Beef and Pork Ratio is 80:20

Mixing ground beef and ground pork makes the hamburger steak tender and juicy. You can change the ratio to you liking. If you like softer steak, add more ground pork. When I make hamburger steak stew, I make hamburger with ground beef and pork 50:50.

4. Knead All Ingredients As Quick As you Can

The salt and egg will keep all ingredients together because they work as a cohesive agent. If you knead the meat patty too long, the fat content will start to melt out and also umami flavour will be lost simultaneously. In order to avoid it, knead the meat quickly. To keep the meat cool, place the bowl of ground meat on to another bowl filled with ice.

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (7)

5. Remove the Air Pockets of the Patties

Divide the knead patties into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into an oval shape and toss it between your hands firmly several times to remove the air pockets in the patties.

6. Shape the Patties 0.8 inch (2cm) thick and make an indent when frying.

Patties that contain air pockets are difficult to cook through because of the poor heat conduction. Make the pattie thickness about o.8 inch (2cm) thick and when you fry them and make an indent on the centre so that each pattie cook through evenly and quickly.

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (8)

FAQ

Q: What would you serve Japanese hamburger steak with?

A: I serve with green salad leaves and often with cherry tomatoes. You can also serve with Mame gohan, Japanese potato salad, or Pumpkin salad and with miso soup, or egg drop soup.

Q: Can you make them ahead of time and freeze?

A: Yes you can. After you fry the hamburgers, cool them down completely. Then wrap them individually with cling wrap. Place them in a ziplock bag and freeze. It will keep for a month. Defrost in microwave and coat with sauce in a frying pan.

Variations of Japanese Hamburger Steak

There are many variations of Japanese hamburgers. I have shared Japanese hamburger steak with mushroom sauce on Chopstick Chronicles. So please check it out too if you liked the Japanese hamburger steak recipe.

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (9)

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Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (10)

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (11)

Japanese Hamburger Steak

A Hamburger Steak for Salisbury Steak Recipe with a Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of the secret ingredients added. Discover how the Japanese make hamburger steak with step by step photo instruction and a video.

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: Japanese

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Hamburger steaks

Calories: 243kcal

Author: Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles

Rate this recipe

5 from 7 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 of middle size onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 8 oz Silken tofu
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup panko crumbs *2
  • 10 oz Beef and Pork ground meat *1 or 300g all together
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 4 tbsp Tomato ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Worstershire sauce
  • 3 tbsp sake
  • 2 tsp mirin

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook finely chopped onion until it caramelized. Let is cool completely.

  • Boil water in a small saucepan and cook tofu for 5 minutes.

  • Drain the cooking water and wrap the tofu with a sheet of kitchen paper.

  • Place a small plate over the wrapped tofu and leave it for 5 minutes.

  • Add the panko to the bowl and add beaten egg to the bowl.

  • Add tofu by breaking it into small pieces with your hands.

  • Add ground beef and pork, cooked and cooled onion to the mixing bowl.

  • Knead all the ingredients with your hands until the mixture becomes uniform in colour and pasty.

  • Divide the mixture into six equal portions.

  • Roll the mixture into oval shaped patties.

  • Toss the patties between your hands firmly several times to remove any air pockets out of the patties.

  • Flatten the patties to about 0.8 inch (2cm) thick each and set aside.

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over med to high heat.

  • Place the meat patties in the pan and cook until one side is browned.

  • Turn the patties over and cook other side till brown.

  • While the patties are frying, mix together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

  • Once the patties are fully cooked remove them from the pan and set them aside on a plate then cook the sauce in the pan. *3

  • Heat the butter in the same saucepan, once the butter melts, add all sauce ingredients into the pan and bring it to simmer.

  • Place the cooked patties back into the frying pan and coat with the sauce.

  • Serve the Japanese hamburger steak with vegetables or sides you like, then drizzle the sauce on top.

Notes

*1 Ratio of Beef and Pork is 80:20. I used 8oz (240g) beef and 2oz (60g) pork. You can adjust this ratio to your liking. The more pork meat you use, the patties will be softer.

*2 If you don’t have Panko, you can make this following the recipe here.

*3 To check whether the patties are cooked, pierce the centre of a patty with a bamboo skewer. If the exuding juice is clear, it is cooked.

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 482mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Show me how you went on Instagram! Mention @chopstickchronicles

Hamburger Steak Recipe with Japanese twist. Japanese hamburger steak is so soft and juicy because of some secret ingredients are added. (2024)

FAQs

What is Japanese hamburger made of? ›

Hambaga Patty. Both hambagu and hambaga patties start with minced meat and some sort of binding such as raw egg. Japanese hambagu patties are typically made with a combination of beef and pork, but there are other varieties of hambagu as well, such as tofu and minced chicken.

Why is Hamburg steak popular in Japan? ›

Some variations include hanbāgu topped with cheese (チーズハンバーグ, or chīzuhanbāgu), hanbāgu with Japanese curry, and Italian hanbāgu (with tomato sauce rather than demi-glace). Hamburg steak became popular during the 1960s as a more affordable way to serve otherwise costly meat.

How do you keep hamburger steak from drying out? ›

How on earth can I make hamburger patties not dry?
  1. Cooking on high heat for a shorter period.
  2. Cooking in low heat for a longer period.
  3. Not salting the mix (adding salt only on top during the cooking process)
  4. Pan frying with no oil.
  5. Pan frying in lard.
  6. Mixing in extra beef tallow during the patty shaping stage.
Jan 21, 2021

Is Japanese hamburger steak the same as Salisbury steak? ›

“Hambāgu“ (ハンバーグ) is a Japanese style Salisbury Steak. It is a ground meat patty made with onions, egg, panko breadcrumbs – pan fried and served with a gravy, typically over rice.

What is the special Japanese burger? ›

Best Burgers Coming from Japan This Year!
  • Yuzu Kosho Chicken Burger (Shake Shack) ...
  • Teriyaki Chicken Burger (McDonald's) ...
  • King Yeti (Burger King) ...
  • Cheese Dak Galbi (Freshness Burger) ...
  • Why are these the best burgers to come out this year?
Feb 29, 2024

What is the difference between Japanese hamburger and American hamburger? ›

While the hambāgu is a Japanese reinvention of a traditional American hamburger, it leaves out the conventional toppings. This saucy, savory dish shines without the sesame bun, raw onion rings, or crispy lettuce.

What is special about Japanese beef? ›

Wagyu beef is highly revered for its vast fat deposits, commonly referred to as marbling. When examining Wagyu beef, it will appear rich in large fatty streaks throughout every cut. For beef to qualify as Wagyu, it must be graded as such. In Japan, this is done by the Japanese Meat Grading Association.

What's the difference between hamburger and hamburg steak? ›

Hamburger steak, also known as hamburg steak or simply “hamburger,” is another popular American dish. It is basically a patty made from ground beef, minus the bun. The ground beef is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices to enhance the flavor.

What sauce goes with Wagyu beef? ›

Wagyu beef steak served rare with chimichurri sauce made from garlic, parsley, chili peppers, etc. The refreshing chimichurri sauce reduces the steak's fatty taste and prevents it from getting too greasy.

How do you keep burgers soft? ›

Adding a divot into the centre of the patty will help stop shrinkage, so you don't need to squash the patties while they're in the pan. Cook till three-quarters done, then move to a plate to rest and finish cooking with residual heat. This will stop the meat from drying out.

What is fancy Japanese steak called? ›

So “Wagyu” refers to any cattle that is bred in Japan or the Japanese-style. Kobe steak is comprised of a very particular strain of Wagyu called Tajima-Gyu that is raised to strict standards in the prefecture of Hyogo. (Hyogo's capital city is Kobe, thus the name).

What cut of steak does Japanese Steakhouse use? ›

Sirloin or strip steak is the most common steak used in hibachi restaurants. Top sirloin is a flavorful choice with a great bang for your buck. Most hibachi restaurants also offer filet, which is more expensive, but a very tender cut. This is our favorite for a splurge or special occasion.

What is the Japanese steak dish called? ›

Beef tataki refers to a Japanese method of preparing fillet beef, where the meat is lightly seared, marinated, sliced thinly similar to sashimi, and served with a citrus-soy dipping sauce. This easy and delicious recipe provides step-by-step instructions for making the perfect beef tataki.

Why Japanese beef is different? ›

It is special because its high marbling or thin lines of fat are distributed uniformly throughout the flesh. Thanks to the unique characteristics of the four Japanese cattle breeds, Wagyu offers a very hearty and luxurious dining experience. Four types of Wagyu cows exist, the vast majority being Japanese Black cows.

What is a wagyu burger made of? ›

Product Details. Our American Wagyu burger is made from 100% American Wagyu beef. American Wagyu beef is from cattle that are cross bred with Japanese Wagyu cattle – known for their superior marbling and buttery tenderness. It's exactly the kind of unique backstory diners gravitate towards when they see it on a menu.

What's the difference between Wagyu hamburger and regular hamburger? ›

Marbled Texture In Wagyu

Marbling refers to the visible layers of intramuscular fat. This is fat that is found in the muscle. Due to the unique genetics of the cows and the Wagyu cultivation process, the meat contains a higher percentage of fatty acids than ordinary beef, giving it a higher marbling score.

Is the wagyu burger real meat? ›

They publicly stated that their new "Wagyu Burger" is in fact a mixture of 52% "American Wagyu" and 48% Angus Beef. If you read our blog and or follow us on social media we've spoken at length about American Wagyu being (at best) a 50-50 cross between Wagyu and (typically) Angus beef.

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