A great burger isn’t just about the toppings or the bun. It starts with knowing how to handle the basics, and that includes what you do before the meat even hits the grill. Anyone can throw a patty on the fire, but getting a juicy, flavorful burger every time takes a little more attention. These tips will make sure your summer cookouts don’t end with dry burgers and disappointed guests.
Choose the Right Meat For Juicy Results
If you’re grilling burgers this summer, the fat content of your beef matters more than you think. Skip the extra-lean blends and go for an 80/20 ground beef mix. That 20 percent fat is what gives burgers the richness and moisture that keeps them from drying out over an open flame. It also helps the patties hold together better on the grill, which is especially helpful when you’re flipping with one hand and holding a drink in the other.
Don’t Overwork The Patties
The way you handle the meat before it even touches the grill can make or break your burgers. Pressing, mixing, or shaping the patties too aggressively compacts the meat and leads to a dense, dry texture. Keep it simple. Divide the meat, form it just enough to hold together, and move on. The less you mess with it, the better the texture will be when it hits the plate.
Use The Indentation Technique
Ever noticed your burgers puffing up into little meat domes? Avoid that by pressing a shallow indentation into the center of each patty. This helps the burger keep a flatter, more even shape as it cooks. It also ensures the edges don’t overcook while you wait for the middle to catch up. That tiny step makes a noticeable difference, especially when you’re grilling for a crowd and want consistency across the board.
Season With Purpose, Not Too Early
Seasoning too early might seem convenient, but it actually pulls moisture out of the meat before it hits the grill. For the juiciest burgers, salt and pepper should go on right before cooking. Stick to the basics like coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper unless you’re adding seasoning blends that can handle the heat.
Start With a Hot Grill
Temperature control is key to burger success, and that starts with a properly heated grill. High heat helps you build a good crust fast, which seals in juices and adds that char-grilled flavor people expect at a summer cookout. Don’t throw burgers on too soon. Give the grill time to preheat and clean the grates before cooking. That five-minute wait pays off big time.
Don’t Pressing Down!
The urge to press down on burgers while they cook is strong, but resist it. Pressing forces out the juices you worked so hard to keep in. It might sound or look satisfying in the moment, but the result is a dry burger that tastes like all the flavor got left behind on the grill grates. Let the heat do its job and give the meat space.
Flip Once and Leave It Alone
Flipping too often disrupts the cooking process and breaks the crust that locks in moisture. Flip the burger just once during grilling and give each side enough time to brown properly. For most standard-sized patties, five to six minutes per side will get you close to a medium cook. Watch the edges and use your timing as a guide instead of poking or guessing.
Dont’ Guess, Use a Meat Thermometer
If you’re not using a thermometer, you’re basically guessing. For ground beef, 160°F is the recommended internal temperature for safety, but it also lands you right in that sweet spot where the burger is cooked through without being overdone. Especially when you’re serving a crowd or dealing with different preferences, a thermometer takes the guesswork out of the equation.
Let Them Rest
Right off the grill is not the best time to dig in. Resting your burgers for just three to five minutes allows the juices to redistribute instead of spilling out with the first bite. This small step keeps the meat juicy and the bun from turning soggy. It also gives you just enough time to prep toppings and toast buns without rushing.
Add Toppings at the Right Time
If you’re using cheese or other toppings that need melting, add them in the last minute of grilling. Any sooner and you risk overcooking the burger underneath. Adding toppings at the right time also helps them stay in place, melt evenly, and enhance the burger without becoming a messy distraction.
How to Grill the Perfect Burger
Get ready to fire up the grill and impress your guests with perfectly grilled burgers. From lighting the coals to adding the last slice of cheese, our expert guide will lead you through how to grill delicious burgers. Your backyard BBQ just got a whole lot tastier.
Read it Here: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
25 Juicy Burger Recipes
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and gather with friends and family. And what’s a BBQ without some amazing burgers? We’ve rounded up some great burger recipes that will make your cookout a hit. From classic beef to creative twists, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
Get the Recipes: 25 Juicy Burger Recipes
*Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
