How to Grill Burgers

Grilling burgers are fun and easy if you follow few simple guidelines. There may be no one right way to grill theperfect burger, but this article will help you learn to makeyour perfect burger.

Steps

1. 1
   Buy quality and fresh meat. If possible, ask your butcher to grind the meat for you while you wait. Look for 75 - 80 percent lean for the juiciest burgers and tasty (leaner meat will be dryer and more likely to fall apart on the grill. More fat means more flavor). The meat should have a bright pink color. This is critical, as meat that has even a slight grayish color may be fine for meatloaf, but will drastically affect the taste of your burgers.
2. 2
   
   Season the meat (or not) as desired. Many chefs like to add sauces or other seasonings to burgers before cooking; others like to prepare their burgers plain to let the natural flavor of good quality meat shine through. Experiment with plain burgers or try adding your favorite flavors before cooking. Here are some classic burger seasonings many people enjoy (Try adding just a few tsp when learning how much you like; you don't want to overseason):
   
   
   • Salt and pepper (1-2 tsp. each)
   • Finely chopped onion
   • Soy sauce
   • Worcestershire sauce
   • Barbecue sauce
   • Steak sauce
3. 3
   
   Shape the hamburger meat into 1/4 - 1/3 lb patties, about 1/2 inch thick, and about the diameter of a hamburger bun. Try not to overwork the meat when doing the shaping; the more you handle it, the dryer and tougher it will tend to be when cooked.
4. 4
   
   Prepare your grill. Many cooks prefer a charcoal grill for flavor, while others enjoy the convenience of gas.
   
   
   • Charcoal grill: If using a charcoal grill, avoid using lighter fluid, which can leave unpleasant residual flavors. Instead, use a chimney starter which avoids chemicals. Use enough charcoal to cover the bottom of your grill and create a hot fire.
   • Gas grill: Ignite your grill and turn to "high." Wait until it is thoroughly heated before grilling.
5. 5
   Brush the hot rack of your grill with oil to prevent sticking (optional).
6. 6
   
   Place your burgers on hot grill. Especially if using a charcoal grill, pay attention to where your grill is hotter or cooler (all grills have some spots that are hotter than others). Pay attention to the time.
7. 7
   Turn your burgers after 4-5 minutes, and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Do your best not to turn the burgers more than once; the more you handle meat while it is cooking, the dryer it will be.
8. 8
   Add sliced cheese about 1-2 minutes before the burgers are done (optional).
9. 9
   Check to make sure the burgers are done. Here are two ways to do this:
   
   
   • Remove one burger and cut into it. For medium-rare, the inside should be pinkish, but not bloody.
   • Use an instant-read meat thermometer. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 160 degrees F ^[1].
10. 10
    Take your burgers off the grill as soon as they are done to avoid overcooking. Remember that they will cook a little bit after they are taken from the grill.
11. 11
    Serve your burgers with a variety of condiments. Enjoy!
    
    

Video

This video will show you how to grill burgers.

Tips

• Try toasting the buns for a few minutes on the grill before serving.
• Grilled foods are great for diets. They are lower in fat than many other cooking methods and taste great!
• Keep a variety of toppings and sides handy, unusual as well as usual, and you'll have everyone happy at your next barbecue.
• Many people prefer the flavor or meat grilled over hardwood charcoal to traditional briquettes.
• For variety, burgers can also be made using other ground meats such as turkey or lamb.
• Avoid pressing or mashing the burgers into the grill, as this will dry out the meat and can cause the burgers to fall apart.
• Just before grilling your burgers, toss a handful of Black Cherry chips onto the charcoal for a sensational wood smoke taste. If you are using a gas grill, place Black Cherry chunks on the grilling surface....not the flame. Or, using an aluminum pie plate with holes punched in it, fill with black cherry chips and put on grilling surface.
• Condiments can make the same burger patty into a totally new taste experience. Popular choices for a beef burger include: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato. Also consider avocado, sauteed mushrooms, pickled beets, and jalapeno peppers.

Warnings

• Be careful when working near the grill to avoid being burned.
• Avoid under-cooking ground beef to protect against possible food-borne illnesses.
• Some research suggests that grilling meats at high temperatures can produce cancer-causing substances in the meat. However, this is in dispute by many other scientists^[2].
• Do not add lighter fluid or match-light charcoal while food is on the grill.
• Over-handling the ground beef will cause the fat to melt early. This causes a dense, tough burger. Keep the beef in the fridge until the exact moment you are ready to make the patties. Before handling the beef, place your hands in ice water or very cold tap water.