Beginner's Box: Better burgers begin with better beef

Shopping for ground beef? Decisions, decisions. You’ll find packages marked:

Regular ground beef or hamburger: The cheapest price, highest fat content (30 percent), shrinks when cooked.

Ground chuck: Leaner, lower fat (15 to 20 percent), still juicy but shrinks less, best for grilled hamburgers.

Ground round or sirloin: Leanest at 11 percent fat, becomes dry when cooked medium and above, best for low-fat diets, casseroles, meatballs and meat loaf.

The Repository