Are meatballs different from Hamburgers other than in terms of size?
The recipes in for meatballs and hamburgers have their variations, but a lot of overlap. Many look almost the same. Other than the cooking method and size, is there a fundamental difference that sets them apart?
Best Answer
In the US, hamburgers are usually flat patties weighing somewhere between 3 and 8oz. and typically 100% ground beef. Many variations are possible, including mixing spices and other ingredients into the meat, but binders such as egg and breadcrumbs are not common. The defining characteristics of a proper hamburger for most Americans are the shape (flat), approximate size, beef as the primary ingredient, and sandwich-style presentation. A ground meat patty not made from beef is likely to be named differently (lamb burger, turkey burger, etc., even though the name 'hamburger' has nothing to do with ham).
Meatballs are smaller (maybe 0.5 to 3oz), roughly spherical, more likely to be seasoned, much more likely to contain eggs and/or breadcrumbs as binders, made from just about any kind of meat, cooked differently, served differently.
Also, the cultural traditions surrounding each are completely different. Spaghetti with meatballs and tomato sauce is classic comfort food; spaghetti with hamburger is unthinkable. Meatballs are usually served in a sauce of some kind; burgers (beef or otherwise) are served on a bun or bread with mayo, ketchup, mustard, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and so on. Many people like their hamburgers (beef) cooked rare or medium rare, but meatballs are always fully cooked. Meatballs can be held at temperature for a long time, or even cooked, chilled, and reheated; only cafeterias and other low-quality, high volume restaurants would pre-cook and reheat a hamburger -- at home or at a good restaurant the burger would be served as soon as possible after cooking.
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What is the difference between a meatball and a burger?
While they have much in common, the hamburger has traditionally been a fat round dish, thicker in themiddle as they are traditionally made by slapping mince between two hand. Meatballs are round, as are rissoles, and patties round and flat.What size should meatballs be?
Shape into the size you want. Average meatballs are golf ball sized. For large meatballs I suggest 1 3/4 inch diameter, medium 1 1/4 inch diameter, and small of 3/4 inch diameter.Can you turn hamburgers into meatballs?
Yes, I've done burgers to meatballs before, and also used them for bolognaise/chilli. Depends how fancy-schmanzy your burgers are, really - the more binder/rusk in 'em, the harder they are to crumble back to mince. Squishing them into a slightly different shape is fine, though. Yep, I do meatballs with burgers too.What size are hamburgers?
Classic burgers usually range in size from a quarter pound (4 ounces) to 6 ounces.Meatballs Easy Recipe (How to Prepare) – Gordon Ramsay
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Answer 2
My experience with meatballs has always involved multiple meats combined together while hamburgers contain a single meat. In fact, I'd go so far to say that MeatLoaf is a closer cousin to Meatballs barring size, shape and spice.
Answer 3
Probably depends on the meatball. Yes, meatballs can be just round hamburgers, but for example, you can make meatballs for spaghetti that have eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt and pepper and you will get a much better spaghetti from it than if you just make miniature spherical hamburgers.
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