Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (2024)

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (2)

Helper FAQs

Can I make Hamburger Helper With Ground Pork, Chicken, or Turkey?

Yes! You can substitute the traditional ground beef with the meat of your choice. Simply make sure that your substitute meat consistency matches the beef consistency that is recommended by Hamburger Helper, since our recipes are built to work with certain types of meat textures that take specific prep time to cook properly. To ensure you get the taste and consistency you desire, experiment with and sample the meal recipe at every step of the preparation process.

Can You Make Hamburger Helper Without Meat (Vegetarian)?

Yes! Although traditionally Hamburger Helper has called for meat additions, these ingredients can be easily substituted by your choice of protein. Instead of meat, you can add vegetables or a meat alternative of your choice to Hamburger Helper meals to make them plant-based.

However, be aware that most of our boxed meal products contain ingredients that are not vegan, including milk and animal fat.

Can You Use Plant Milk or Another Milk Substitute in Hamburger Helper?

Absolutely. Since milk adds a creamy texture to the Hamburger Helper sauce, it or its substitutes are recommended as a major ingredient to flavorful Hamburger Helper meals. For best results, choose plant milk or a milk substitute that is sweet or savory, depending on the meal type. To ensure flavor satisfaction, try a select milk substitute on a small sample batch of your meal in order to test for the overall flavor. Coconut milk and cream has a thicker consistency than most plant-based milks and is recommended as the best milk substitute for Hamburger Helper meals.

Does Hamburger Helper Expire?

Hamburger Helper boxed meals have low moisture content and can keep fresh even past their expiration date. However, for best results and quality assurance, we recommend using your Hamburger Helper boxed meal by its expiration date.

How Do You Make Hamburger Helper?

You can make Hamburger Helper by making a sauce and pasta separately, and then combining them both in a medium bowl to simmer and marinate together prior to serving.

Here are simple directions you can follow:

  • Cook ground beef in a skillet, drain liquid, and return beef to skillet
  • Stir in hot water, milk (or milk substitute), sauce mix, and pasta
  • Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally. Most pasta is done in about 10 minutes

What Can You Serve With Hamburger Helper?

There is no limit on the particular food you should serve with Hamburger Helper. From sauteed greens and steamed veggies to mushrooms and grilled peppers, there are endless sides you can have with Hamburger Helper meals.

What is Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger Helper is a meal in a box that consists of pasta and a variety of seasonings, depending on the product type.

What makes it a popular choice for busy households is that it requires only a few ingredients to make, has easy and quick turn-around, and is an affordable meal that an entire family can enjoy. Oh yeah, it is also delicious!

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (3)

Find Helper Near You!

Check out our product locator to find your favorite hamburger, chicken, and tuna helpers near you!

Where to Buy

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (4)Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (5)Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (6)

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (7)

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (8)

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (9)

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok

Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (2024)

FAQs

What are some fun facts about Hamburger Helper? ›

History. The packaged pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was introduced by General Mills in 1971 in response to a meat shortage and rising meat prices. In 2005, Food Network rated it third on its list of "Top Five Fad Foods of 1970". In 2013, the company shortened the brand's name to just "Helper".

What can you add to Hamburger Helper to make it better? ›

Here are some recommended swaps and add-ins you can try: Add a boost of veggies: feel free to throw in shredded zucchini, sauteed chopped red bell pepper, or mushrooms or a few cups of chopped spinach! My kids usually never know that it's in there. Spice it up: if you'd like you can add some red pepper flakes on top.

Why was Hamburger Helper discontinued? ›

High-end consumers are shifting toward fresher items with fewer processed ingredients while cost-conscious shoppers are buying inexpensive store brands. The makers of staples including Chef Boyardee canned pasta and Hamburger Helper meal kits failed to spot the threat and didn't innovate in time.

Can you use evaporated milk instead of milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water. Betty's Emrgency Substitutions page suggests a substitution for a cup of milk: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package.

What was the first flavor of Hamburger Helper? ›

The brand made its national debut in August 1971. With five flavors – Beef Noodle, Potato Stroganoff, Hash, Rice Oriental and Chili Tomato, it was an instant success. More than one in four – 27 percent – of U.S. households purchased Hamburger Helper in its first year.

Why are they called Hamburger Helper? ›

To simplify, it means to help the hamburger taste better; that's the thought from Betty Crocker, whether the customer agrees or not. The same holds true for their Tuna Helper and their Chicken Helper.

What thickens Hamburger Helper? ›

How do you thicken up Hamburger Helper? If your Hamburger Helper is too runny or juicy, the best way to thicken it up is to put the lid on the pan and let the mixture steam for at least five minutes. The macaroni will continue to absorb the liquid and the mixture will become thicker.

Why does Hamburger Helper taste different now? ›

Hamburger Helper Reformulates Its Box Meals

But faster cooking time isn't the only big change in Hamburger Helper. The company also adjusted sauces, pasta, and flavor ingredients based on consumer feedback. You can expect robust herbs, spices, and flavors in the entire product lineup.

How do you make Hamburger Helper taste less bland? ›

How do I make Hamburger Helper taste better? Add fresh vegetables to the dish. Brown the ground beef and saute some onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and garlic on the side. Make the sauce, add the veggies and simmer until it is done.

Why is Hamburger Helper unhealthy? ›

Contains ingredients that may contribute small ...

Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014).

Is Hamburger Helper okay without meat? ›

Yes! Although traditionally Hamburger Helper has called for meat additions, these ingredients can be easily substituted by your choice of protein. Instead of meat, you can add vegetables or a meat alternative of your choice to Hamburger Helper meals to make them plant-based.

How long is Hamburger Helper good for? ›

Use for up to 6 months past the date marked on the package.

What else can you put in Hamburger Helper besides milk? ›

10 Best Milk Substitutes For Hamburger Helper
  1. Condiments. • 1 Mayonnaise - blend of mayo.
  2. Dairy. • 1 Buttermilk - blend of buttermilk. • 1 Half-and-half - cup.
  3. Other. • Powdered milk - Reconstitute per package directions and use cup for cup.

Can you add extra cheese to Hamburger Helper? ›

How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
  1. Boil pasta. Once the sauce is boiling, add the pasta and reduce to a simmer over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes OR until al dente. ...
  2. Add cheeses. As far as the cheese goes, feel free to add more or less cheese.

What happens if you use water instead of milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Absolutely! Water can be used as a substitute for milk in Hamburger Helper. Keep in mind that using water will result in a more basic flavor profile compared to using milk, as milk adds creaminess and richness. However, it can still produce a tasty and satisfying dish.

What is an interesting fact about hamburgers? ›

One theory is that it was named after the city of Hamburg, Germany. Another theory about the burger origin is that it was named after the Hamburg steak, a type of ground beef steak that was popular in Germany in the 19th century.

Does the Hamburger Helper guy have a name? ›

27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Foods is re-launching the iconic Hamburger Helper brand, along with its legendary talking glove mascot, Lefty.

What is a fun fact about the good burger? ›

Essentially, Good Burger was born out of a random character decision made during one little sketch. “It was where [Josh] could have a remote control that could control his entire life,” Mitchell told The A.V. Club. “So, he could fast-forward through his sister nagging, he could make pizza come really quickly.

How many fingers does the Hamburger Helper have? ›

"Lefty," as the glove has been known ever since he (it? she?) was introduced in 1977 as a "talking, cute, red-nosed, puffy white-gloved hand with only three fingers and a thumb," according to the General Mills blog. General Mills owns the brand, which rolled out nationally in 1971 and is now just called Helper.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.