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.
I have grilled hundreds of hamburgers in my restaurant years and here I will give you some tips on how to grill the best 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 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 the 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 using a thermometer to check that the grill temperature is between 375°F and 400°F (190°C – 204°C).
How Long To Grill A Burger?
Now you might ask; how long do you cook a burger on the grill?
My way of grilling are in the following steps.
Sear a burger for about 4 or 5 minutes and try not to move it. Remember that they should be loosely packed.
There should be not too many flare-ups if you do it like this, and they will not stick to the grill grates.
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).
This is no direct science since it depends on the type of hamburger meat and the thickness of the burger but above are my tips based on cooking many hamburgers.
Internal Temperature For Burgers
As I mentioned above I use a 6 Oz hamburger pattie and grill on a medium temperature.
- Medium-rare: 130°–135°F – (54°C – 75°C).
It is not advised to cook burgers medium rare according to the FDA.
- Medium-well: 150°–155°F – (65°C – 68°C)
This will take about 8 – 9 minutes and the center will be hot and pink colored
- Well-done: 160° – (71°C)
This will take about 10 minutes and the inside will be hot and thoroughly cooked.
How To Keep A Hamburger Flat While Cooking.
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.
I usually use salt, pepper, onion powder, and a splash of Worcestershire. I do not mix it in with the meat, but shake it just at the top just before cooking.
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.
More Tips For The Best Hamburger And FAQ
I read some questions on cooking a great hamburger and I will answer them here with my tips.
Q: Should you grill with the lid open or closed?
A: When it is very cold outside or windy it will cool off your grill fast. In those situations, I would suggest keeping the lid closed.
Q: Do you grill burgers on high or medium?
A: I grill my burgers on a medium temperature of 350 °F – (176°C). Hotter makes them cooked on the outside and not cooked thoroughly on the inside.
Q: How do you check when a hamburger is done?
A: The best way to check when a hamburger is done is with a thermometer. The second one is to place a spatula on the burger, press a little on it, and look at the juices that come out. Clear juices mean the burger is done. Red juices mean it is not done yet.
Q: Should I press on my hamburgers?
A: No, never press on your burger too hard. You will press all the juices out and end up with a very dry burger.
Robert Chill
Robert Chill loves to cook on BBQs and grills and uses all types of recipes and techniques to cook some awesome food. With his experience, he can share many reviews, tips, and ideas on how to use any grill. You can read more about him here
Sources:
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/news/g747/easy-recipes-for-ground-beef-0309/
www.foodnetwork.com/
layersofhappiness.com
www.allrecipes.com/