Wondering how to grill a hamburger? It looks so easy but there are some tricks of the trade that can make your burger a little better.
Here I will give you some tips on how to grill the hamburger.
How to grill the best hamburger
Before we dig into the recipes we have to give some general tips and ideas on how to start.
Fat content
Very lean meat is sometimes hard to use for hamburgers. The fat content of 15% is, in my opinion, the bare minimum.
But recently I have used grass-fed beef for the grill and was surprised at how juicy it stayed.
If you like to see how hamburger meat is made you can read my article about that here.
Don’t Handle The Meat Too Much
In my opinion, many people fool with meat too much. Try to keep it as loose as you can and do not handle the meat too much. A loose hamburger on a hot grill will cook more evenly and faster than a burger that is too compact.
This will prevent a burned outside and a raw inside of the hamburger.
How Big Should A Hamburger Be
The ideal burger should be around six ounces. If you don’t have a scale this is roughly between a baseball and a softball in size.
If you make a dent in the middle, most of the time your burger will come out with an even thickness.
Grill Temperature
The best temperature for grilling a hamburger is medium. If you can keep your hand above the coals for 5 or 6 seconds you are about at the right temperature.
I recommend to use a thermometer and check that the grill temperature is between 375°F and 400°F (190°C – 204°C).
How Long To Grill A Burger?
This is no direct science since it depends on type of hamburger meat and thickness of the burger.
However, sear a burger for about 4 or 5 minutes and try not to move them. Remember that they should be loosely packed.
There should be not too many flare-ups if you do it like this.
After the first side is done flip them and do the other side. Always use a spatula to move your burgers.
Use a pocket meat thermometer to check the doneness. The temperature should be at least 160°F (°71C) because any bacteria will be killed at 155 °F (68°C).
Internal Temperature For Burgers
- Medium-rare: 130°–135°F – (54°C – 75°C). Not advices to cook burgers medium rare.
- Medium: 140°F – 145°F – (60°C – 62°C)
- Medium-well: 150°–155°F – (65°C – 68°C)
- Well-done: 160° – (71°C)
Keeping It Flat
It is easy to keep your hamburgers flat. The easiest one is to make an indent in the middle. If you like to read more you can read my article on how to keep a hamburger flat.
Hamburger Recipes
Now, let’s start cooking some great hamburgers with these tips and the grill recipes here! Since we all know that plain pepper and salt are basically all we need I will not add that to this list.
I will focus on some unusual and maybe new things to try.
For all recipes mix the seasoning in a bowl and then mix it into the hamburger meat.
What is The Best Grill For Hamburgers
Any good quality indoor grill will be a good way to cook a nice juicy hamburger.
On the other hand, many outdoor grills are also great for this type of meat.
Remember to look at the temperature and settings of any type of grill that you use.
How To Grill A Hamburger – My Experience
After reading this article you must agree with me that grilling a hamburger is not that hard to do. If you follow the steps I outlined here you will grill a perfect hamburger every time that is juicy and evenly thick to keep all the fixings in place.
Eddie van Aken
Sources:
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/news/g747/easy-recipes-for-ground-beef-0309/
www.foodnetwork.com/
layersofhappiness.com
www.allrecipes.com/
Eddie van Aken has run his own full-service restaurant for many years. Before that, he worked as a grill and buffet cook in some of the mainstream restaurants. With his experience using professional kitchen equipment, he is able to write expert reviews. You can read more about Eddie van Aken here.