Burgers already come packed with meaty flavor, but if you crave a subtler way to enhance that savoriness, a dash of soy sauce will add an umami punch to your burger.

Umami is one of the five basic taste categories, with a savory profile you would taste in meat. It's a Japanese term translating to "deliciousness" or "essence of deliciousness."

Umami as a flavor is linked to glutamates, which is also a component of MSG. These molecular compounds are usually found in foods with high protein content.

Soy sauce adds a bit of rich, salty flavor complexity that pairs well with red meat and highlights the natural flavors of the burger.

Just a tablespoon or 2 of soy sauce mixed into raw ground beef is enough to season the meat thoroughly and elevate your grilling to gourmet status.

In addition to soy sauce, you can also mix a bit of grated parmesan or a drop of fish sauce into your burger mix. Both are also packed with glutamates.

Just be sure not to overdo it on any of these ingredients. They all have a high salt content, and mixing in too much can make your burgers overly salty.