Wagyu vs. Angus: The Best Beef For The Perfect Burger Patties

The beef you use is very vital when making the perfect burger patties. Whether you are cooking for guests or grilling burgers for a relaxed weekend get-together, the type of beef you use can greatly impact how meaty it tastes and the juiciness and softness of the food. Wagyu and Angus are the best beef varieties when it comes to burgers. Both are known for their excellent quality and generous marbling, but how do they fare in terms of making the perfect burger patty?

In this blog, we discuss the science of fat content, and the differences between Wagyu and Angus beef. We also discuss BurgerFi’s approach to making the highest-quality burgers possible, so that next time you can make the best choice for yourself when selecting what beef to go with for burgers.

Understanding Wagyu Beef: What Makes It Unique?

Originating from Japan, this meat is celebrated for its rich flavor, tender nature, and high marbling. The word “Wagyu” actually translates to “Japanese cow.” This term encompasses several native breeds of Japanese cattle. The defining characteristic of Wagyu beef is its marbling — small droplets of intramuscular fat that dissolve upon cooking. Such distribution of fats contributes to Wagyu beef’s distinctive rich flavor and buttery mouthfeel.

Quality is more than quantity when rearing Wagyu cattle. With this in mind, they are usually fed a special diet and provided with close care to ensure the meat produced reaches the best standards. Due to this tedious process, beef comprises a higher content of monounsaturated fats, thus giving it an exceptional flavor as well as a mouthwatering texture.

When making patties out of Wagyu beef, you can count on getting an extremely juicy, meaty, and tender patty. Wagyu beef grades usually contain 15% to 30% fat, and is one of the fattiest beef products available in the market. But that is what gives that burger its juiciness and taste.

Exploring Angus Beef: A Classic Favorite

Conversely, Angus cattle is a cattle breed known for high-quality meat. Angus originates in Scotland whose cattle is renowned for marbled, luscious, tender, and flavorful steak, but not as rich as Wagyu. In the United States, Angus beef represents top-quality beef and is usually advertised as the preferred choice for steakhouse and grilled meals.

The alluring nature of Angus beef is in the harmony of flavor, tenderness, and cost. Even though it may not have the same rich marbling as Wagyu, Angus beef has a high degree of suppleness and a strong beef flavor. 

Meat patties made with Angus beef will come out firm and rich in flavor, and just a little juicy on the inside. Angus beef tends to have a fat content between 15% and 20%, which makes it excellent for people who love burgers with a nice, solid shape that still gives way to a mouthful of delectable juice.

Key Differences Between Wagyu and Angus Beef

While both Wagyu and Angus beef are known for their high quality, several key differences set them apart:

Marbling and Fat Content: Wagyu beef is marbled, which gives it flavor and a mouthwatering taste. Angus beef, on the other hand, is less oily than Wagyu.

Flavor: Due to the very high-fat content of the meat, Wagyu beef has a very rich, buttery flavor, whereas Angus beef makes burgers taste more traditionally meaty which many people like. It’s milder, softer, and more luxurious in flavor than Angus meat, which is often just a harsh, step-sharp flavor.

Price: Wagyu beef is usually pricey because its production is very limited, with an elaborate mode of agriculture and much care put into breeding the animals. However, the prices for Angus beef are relatively affordable.

Texture: Wagyu has the most tender, soft, and buttery texture that melts in your mouth, almost. Angus is tender too, but firmer on a grill, which makes it perfect for burgers.

How to Choose the Right Beef for Your Burger Patties

When choosing the right beef for your burger patties, consider the following factors:

Flavor: If you want a rich, buttery flavor with a texture that melts on your tongue, Wagyu beef is the best option. However, if you want a more classic, beef-forward flavor, Angus beef will do the trick.

Fat Content: To provide the juicy nature and the characteristic flavor of a burger patty, it definitely needs fats. If you like your burger wet, you’d love the fatty content in the Wagyu because it provides quite a moist nature to the burgers. Angus is always a good one if you need a slightly leaner, firmer kind of meat.

Budget: Wagyu beef is not always the best choice for a regular burger since it is expensive. Since it is cheaper, Angus beef is the best for making high-class burgers on a tight budget.

Texture: Wagyu is the best choice if you want your burger patty to be extremely tender. If you’re looking for a patty that holds together and maintains a more traditional burger texture, Angus beef is a solid option.

Crafting the Perfect Patty: Tips for Using Wagyu and Angus Beef

No matter which beef you choose, crafting the perfect burger patty requires attention to detail. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Don’t overwork the meat: When making your patties, handle the meat gently. Whether you’re using Angus or Wagyu beef, aim with a gentle hand because overworking the meat can result in tough burgers.

Season lightly: Burger patties don’t need heavy seasoning, especially on Wagyu or Angus beef which has an extraordinary natural flavor. A pinch of salt and pepper should be enough.

Level Patties: Form patties uniformly using either your hands or a burger press to ensure perfectly grilled burgers as well as for equal cooking of the patty.

Grill over medium heat: This will allow your patties to cook evenly throughout without scorching on the outside. As both Angus and Wagyu beef contain a good amount of fat, you must watch the grill closely so that flare-ups do not occur.

Let the Patties rest: After grilling, let the patties rest for a few minutes. This redistributes the juices and ensures that each bite is as juicy as the first.

BurgerFi’s Approach to High-Quality Burger Patties

At BurgerFi, we take pride in crafting each burger patty with care and quality in mind. We use only the finest ingredients, starting with our 100% natural Angus beef. Sourced from humanely raised cattle, our Angus beef patties are free from steroids, antibiotics, and hormones, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite every time.

But we don’t stop there — we also offer a unique Wagyu blend, perfect for those who crave a richer, more tender bite. We carefully combine Wagyu beef with our Angus for a burger that’s as indulgent as it is delicious. This Wagyu blend is used for our premium offerings, elevating your burger experience to new heights.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Angus beef burger or something a little more luxurious with our Wagyu blend, we’ve got something to satisfy every craving. Visit the nearest BurgerFi outlet today and taste the difference for yourself — because when it comes to burgers, we believe quality is everything!