If you want the perfect burger recipe this summer, try my Copycat Culvers Butter Burgers recipe. It’s easy and it’s delicious.
If you love easy lunch recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Pork Taquitos, Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe, or even Air Fryer Lobster Grilled Cheese.
What Is Culver’s Butter Burger?
Culver’s Butter Burger is a signature menu item offered by Culver’s, a popular fast-food chain known for its fresh and flavorful burgers.
Culver’s Butter Burger features a seasoned beef patty cooked to perfection and topped with a generous dollop of real Wisconsin butter, which melts into the warm bun to create a rich and indulgent flavor experience. This unique twist on the classic burger adds a creamy and savory element that sets it apart and has earned it a dedicated following among burger enthusiasts.
Why You Will Love Culvers Butter Burger Recipe
- Rich Flavor Profile: Culver’s Butter Burger recipe promises a flavor experience like no other, thanks to its indulgent combination of seasoned beef, melted butter, and toasted buns, resulting in a juicy and savory burger that’s bursting with flavor.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Taste: With just a few simple ingredients, Culver’s Butter Burger recipe delivers big on taste, making it a perfect choice for anyone craving a satisfying burger without needing fancy or hard-to-find ingredients.
Culver’s Butter Burger Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients needed for this delicious burger recipe!
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Beef Patty: The heart of Culver’s Butter Burger, the beef patty is seasoned and cooked to perfection, providing a juicy and flavorful base for the sandwich.
- Butter: A defining ingredient of the Butter Burger, Culver’s uses real Wisconsin butter to add richness and a creamy texture to the burger, creating a distinctive and indulgent flavor profile.
- Bun: The bun serves as the vessel for the Butter Burger, providing a soft and sturdy base to hold the patty, butter, and toppings together, while also offering a subtle sweetness that complements the savory components.
- Toppings: While the classic Butter Burger is simple, with just the beef patty and butter, customers have the option to customize their burgers with a variety of toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and cheese, allowing for personalization to suit individual tastes.
How To Make A Butter Burger
With the air fryer, you can achieve a delicious Butter Burger with the perfect balance of juicy beef and creamy butter, all with less mess and hassle than traditional cooking methods.
Prepare the Beef Patties: Season ground beef with salt and pepper, then shape it into patties slightly larger than the size of your burger buns. Press a small dimple into the center of each patty to prevent it from bulging during cooking.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes to ensure it’s nice and hot before cooking the burgers.
Cook the Patties: Place the beef patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each patty for air circulation. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
Add the Butter: Once the patties are cooked, place a small pat of butter on top of each patty. Return the patties to the air fryer for another minute or until the butter has melted and started to sizzle.
Toast the Buns (Optional): While the patties are cooking, you can optionally toast the burger buns in the air fryer for a minute or two until they are golden brown and crispy.
Assemble the Burger: Place each cooked patty on a bun, and add any desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Copycat Culvers Butter Burgers Pro Tips
- Choose Quality Beef: Use ground beef with a higher fat content (around 80/20) for juicier burgers. The fat will render during cooking, enhancing the flavor and moisture of the patties.
- Season Liberally: Don’t skimp on seasoning the beef patties. Use a generous amount of salt and pepper to ensure they’re well seasoned throughout.
- Form Even Patties: Shape the beef patties slightly larger than the size of your burger buns and ensure they’re evenly shaped for consistent cooking.
- Create a Dimple: Press a small dimple into the center of each patty before cooking to prevent them from bulging during cooking, ensuring they cook evenly and maintain a flat shape.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer before cooking the patties to ensure they start cooking immediately and develop a nice sear on the outside.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the patties in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can result in uneven cooking.
- Add Butter at the End: Add a pat of butter to the cooked patties just before they finish cooking in the air fryer. This allows the butter to melt and coat the patties, enhancing their flavor without burning.
- Toast the Buns: For an extra touch of flavor and texture, lightly toast the burger buns in the air fryer before assembling the burgers.
- Customize Toppings: Customize your Butter Burgers with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and cheese for a personalized touch.
- Serve Hot: Enjoy your Copycat Culver’s Butter Burgers immediately while they’re hot and fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Culvers Butter Burger Recipe Faqs
Can I use lean ground beef for this recipe? While you can use lean ground beef, such as 90/10, for this recipe, keep in mind that the higher fat content in 80/20 ground beef will result in juicier and more flavorful burgers, closer to the authentic Culver’s Butter Burger experience.
Can I cook the patties in a skillet instead of an air fryer? Yes, you can cook the patties in a skillet on the stovetop if you don’t have an air fryer. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, and add the butter during the last minute of cooking.
Can I make the patties ahead of time? Yes, you can shape the beef patties ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before cooking for more even cooking.
Can I freeze the patties for later use? Absolutely! You can freeze the shaped beef patties between layers of wax paper in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Can I use different toppings for the Butter Burger? Yes, feel free to customize your Butter Burger with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, or any other condiments you prefer.
Can I use a different type of bun? While the classic hamburger bun is traditionally used for Butter Burgers, you can certainly use different types of buns such as brioche, pretzel, or even a sturdy lettuce wrap for a low-carb option.
How do I know when the patties are cooked to the desired doneness? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patties. For medium-rare burgers, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C), and for medium, aim for 140-145°F (60-63°C). Remember that the patties will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the air fryer.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd? Absolutely! Simply double or triple the ingredients as needed to accommodate a larger group. Just be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, and cook the patties in batches if necessary for even cooking.
More Easy Burger Recipes
- air fryer barbecue cheeseburgers
- air fryer trader joe’s mahi mahi burgers
- burger king sausage egg and cheese croissan’wich
- ninja foodi hamburgers
- air fryer lamb burgers
- ninja foodi grill hamburgers
- air fryer frozen white castle burgers
- Copycat Burger King Burger
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Copycat Culvers Butter Burgers Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 hamburger buns
Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese
Instructions
- Season ground beef with salt and pepper, then shape it into patties slightly larger than the size of your burger buns. Press a small dimple into the center of each patty to prevent it from bulging during cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes to ensure it's nice and hot before cooking the burgers.
- Place the beef patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each patty for air circulation. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
- Once the patties are cooked, place a small pat of butter on top of each patty. Return the patties to the air fryer for another minute or until the butter has melted and started to sizzle.
- While the patties are cooking, you can optionally toast the burger buns in the air fryer for a minute or two until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Place each cooked patty on a bun, and add any desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
- Serve the Butter Burgers hot and enjoy the rich and indulgent flavor!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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