Using high-quality, lean ground beef helps you create juicy burgers that have a rich flavor. A meat thermometer is the best tool for determining when your burgers are done, but you can also use a timer.
Resist the urge to press down on the burgers while they are grilling, as this causes them to lose juices. Instead, flip them only once and use a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked through.
Pre-heat the grill
The first step to grilling a great burger is prepping the grill. This means ensuring the cooking grate is clean of any food stuck on from your last barbecue session, which can burn and ruin the flavor of your burgers. You should also preheat the grill to medium heat.
Another important step is forming the burgers to the right size. If they are too thick, the exterior will burn before the interior cooks through, and if they’re too thin, the inside may be raw or chewy. The ideal thickness is about 1 inch.
When grilling burgers, it’s important to flip them only once and resist the urge to press on them. This can lead to flare-ups, and the pressed burger will lose some of its juices. It’s also best to use a meat thermometer to ensure the burger is cooked to your desired doneness.
After you’ve flipped the burgers and removed them from the heat, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the burgers to cool down and redistribute their juicy, delicious goodness.
Brush the burgers with oil
Before you place the burgers on the grill, lightly brush them with oil. This helps them cook more evenly and prevents the outer edges from burning before the inside is done. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or cooking spray to coat the burgers. Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much oil can make the burgers too greasy and hard to eat.
Be careful when shaping the burgers. Overworking the meat will make it tough and dry, and it is more likely to fall apart when you try to flip it. If possible, form the patties with your hands and a light touch. Using your thumb, create a depression in the center of each patty. This will prevent them from puffing up in the middle while grilling and make it easier to hold toppings and condiments.
Also, don’t press on the burgers while they are grilling. This will squeeze out all those flavorful juices onto the fire, which is a waste. Instead, resist the urge to push on the burgers with your spatula and leave them to sizzle away on their own.
Place the burgers on the hot grates
When the grill has preheated and is ready for the burgers, gently place them on the grates. Do not press down on them with your spatula, as this will cause them to lose flavorful juices. Brush the grates with oil or non-stick grill spray to prevent them from sticking, and then cook the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium rare burgers, 5-6 minutes for medium burgers, and 7-10 minutes for well-done burgers.
Toppings and condiments can be added before or after the burgers are grilled, but ideally they should be placed on the burgers right before they are removed from the heat. This will allow the toppings to heat up and develop a crispy crust, while still maintaining their soft texture.
When forming the burger patties, make them a little larger than the buns on which they will eventually be served. This is because the burgers will shrink slightly as they cook, and making them a bit bigger will help them to maintain an even shape. Also, make sure to press a small indentation into the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up on the grill.
Flip the burgers frequently
It’s important to flip the burgers frequently, but you don’t want to move them around too much. This can cause them to lose their shape and cook unevenly. A good rule of thumb is to cook each side for about two minutes before you flip it. If you want a well-done burger, you may need to grill it longer than that.
Another key to grilling burgers is to use a high-quality pan. A cast iron or a solid frying pan with a thick bottom will retain the heat and give you the best results. It’s also important to keep the flames low. This will prevent flare-ups, which can ruin the flavor of your burgers.
Finally, you should always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the burgers. This is the most accurate way to know when a burger is done. A burger should be cooked to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the burgers rest
It’s tempting to press down on burgers with your spatula while they’re cooking to flatten them out and hear that satisfying sizzle as the juicy meat hits the flame or coals below, but this is a surefire way to rob your burgers of their juiciness. Avoid pressing the burgers while they’re on the grill because it squeezes out the juices and increases the likelihood of flare-ups, which can burn the outside of the patty.
Instead, gently handle the burgers with your spatula and let them cook undisturbed while you watch the edges develop a golden-brown crust. Then, flip the burgers and cook them for 2-3 minutes on the other side. Then, add a slice of cheese (if desired) and continue to grill until the internal temperature reads 125 degrees for medium-rare or 135 degrees for medium and 145 for well done.
It’s important to ensure that your burgers are cooked through, because undercooked beef can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella. A quick-reading instant-read thermometer will help you monitor the progress of your burgers, and it will alert you when they’re cooked to the correct temperature.
