Do you want to cook the perfect hamburger? Well, there is more than one secret for the perfect hamburger.
For example, the best hamburger, more than cooked, is grilled – but you probably already knew that.
However, there are at least two more secrets worth knowing: one is how to prepare the meat, and the second is how long to grill hamburgers. In this article, we’re going to reveal both secrets.
Key Takeaways
- Added ingredient and the patty’s thickness determines a burger’s cooking time.
- There are four types of cooking levels for your burger.
- The cooking time of the patty varies depending on the cooking level you want to achieve. Ideally it the cooking time should be 3-4 minutes on each side.
- You should cook your meat only when the grill is extremely hot; otherwise, it may lose its tenderness.
How long to grill a hamburger?
Because the meat can also be prepared by your butcher, knowing how long to grill hamburgers is more important because that is all your responsibility.
Well, in this regard, you should know that the ideal time for grilling hamburgers depends on some factors:
- The type of meat you’ve chosen: Hamburgers are usually made of beef, but sometimes there are other ingredients added. If the added ingredient is grain, for example, the grilling will take a bit longer.
- The burger thickness: of course, if you have a thicker piece of meat on the grill, it’ll take longer than a thin one.
That said, we can now dig into deeper details.
One of the best aspects of cooking your own meat is that you can have it just like you want it: medium rare or well-done, or more… But what do these words mean?
You can cook your meat from a level that is called medium rare (it’s the lightest cooking) to well-done, where the meat is so well-cooked that the outer layer is almost burned (it looks brown, but you don’t want to burn it for real!).
Now that all the details are clear, we can list the grilling times for each of the different cooking levels.
- Medium rare: you can cook each patty for three minutes on one side and 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Medium: you can cook the patty on the first side for 3 minutes and on the second side for 5 additional minutes.
- Medium-well: grill the patty on the first side for 3 minutes, then flip it and leave it there for additional 6 minutes
- Well done: three minutes on the first side and seven on the second.
Internal Temperature for Burgers
- Medium-rare: 130°–135°F
- Medium-well: 150°–155°F
- Medium: 140°–145°F
- Well-done: 160°F 1
Tips from Reddit users
Grilling burgers – target temperatures – lid closed or open?
by u/Queswork in grilling
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Second tip: how to prepare the meat?
There is only one thing you want to keep in mind when grilling meat: you don’t want to overwork it.
So, if you prepare the patties at home, add salt, pepper, and herbs; prepare the patties with a couple of moves and put them in the fridge where they need to stay until it’s time to grill them.
Is there anything else you need to know about grilling hamburgers?
Yes, and it’s quite important. We’ve listed the grilling times to obtain the different cooking levels, but it’s important that you lay the patties on the grill only when it’s very hot.
If you start cooking them when the grill is cold or still warm, you’ll need to leave them there for a longer time. And if you have the meat staying on the grill for a longer time, it’ll lose its tenderness.
The Perfect Way to Season Burgers
Mixing sauteed onions or any other vegetable into your burger patties is not necessary. Also, you should avoid adding seasoning like garlic powder, bread crumbs, eggs, etc.
For more flavor, you should add toppings and sauces to the bun and not into the patty. Pepper and salt are the only two necessary seasonings that you will need.
Adding Kosher salt enhances the flavor of the meat but avoid adding normal salt to the meat prematurely as it can toughen the meat. 2
How to Check the Internal Temperature of Burgers?
One of the best ways to check your burger patty’s internal temperature is by using a meat thermometer.
While using a meat thermometer, it is important to insert it on the sides to determine the correct temperature. Inserting it in the middle or top does not give accurate results.
If you do not have a meat thermometer, then you can do a finger test. A well-done patty would feel firm, while a medium-heat patty would have some resistance to it.
So you can press the patty with your fingers and determine the doneness by it. 3
Mistakes to Avoid While Grilling Burgers
The Type Of Grill You Plays a Key Role
The type of grill you use to cook your burger patties also affects the taste of the burger.
If you use a charcoal grill, then yes, your burger would have a nice smoky flavor, but you will have to move the patty around too much to cook them evenly.
On the contrary, using a gas grill would be more convenient, and it will ensure even cooking, but it will not add smoky flavor to the patties.
If you want the smoky flavor and can deal with a charcoal grill, then go for it, or else gas grills are a good choice.
How to Make Burgers on a Charcoal Grill?
How to Make Better Burgers?
Tips For Storing Burger Patties
If you have leftover burgers, then you can store them in the refrigerator for three-four days. You can reuse them by covering them with a skillet and adding a little water to bring them back to life.
Raw meat lasts only for two days, and if you have raw meat patties left, then we recommend you freeze them.
Simply cover the patties with parchment paper, put them in an air-tight container and store them for up to 4 months. 4
Also Check Out 5 Best Weber Charcoal Grills
Wrapping Up
Grilling the perfect burger does not need to be difficult. Just knowing how to form the burger patties, for how long to cook them, etc., can help you make delicious burgers.
We hope this guide on how long to grill hamburgers helped you.
FAQ’s
Should I let the burger patty rest after grilling?
Yes, if you want the juiciest burger, then you should let the patty rest for at least five minutes.
And if you are worried they will get cold, then you can wrap them in aluminum foil so that the heat does not escape.
Should I press down the burger patty while grilling?
No, pressing burger patties will remove the fat and juices from the meat, and by the time you are done cooking, you will have a tasteless, dry burger.
How many time should I flip the burger patty while grilling it?
Flipping the patty constantly can affect the taste and doneness of the meat. We recommend you flip it only once.
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.
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