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, we’re guiding you through how to grill delicious burgers. Your backyard BBQ just got a whole lot tastier.
Table of Contents
Grilling burgers is as quintessential to summer as fireworks, baseball, and beach vacations. We may love the crust you get with cast iron on an amazing burger, but there’s something about a flame-kissed patty that makes our mouths water. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout with your favorite grilling recipes or just whipping up dinner, there is nothing quite like a juicy burger from the grill! And we’re showing you just how to master that.
Choose the meat
Choosing the right ground meat is the key when it comes to great burger recipes. Look for high-quality fresh ground beef but don’t skimp on the fat. A fat content of 20 percent fat or higher is essential, so ignore the urge to use lean ground beef. This will ensure that your perfect burger stays juicy and is loaded with flavor when flame-kissed on the grill. The same goes for different types of meat, like ground turkey, chicken, or even lamb. Whether grinding your own hamburger or using store-bought, be sure to add a little fat into the ratio so that things can stand up to the heat.
When grilling up burgers, don’t just get creative with your toppings. Experiment with different meat blends. Ground beef is usually made with ground chuck, but you can ask your butcher to grind up any cut of beef. Mix in ground short ribs, ribeye or brisket for added richness and juiciness.
Christie Vanover, champion pitmaster of GirlscanGrill.com
Make the Patties
Once you have the ground beef, it’s time to make the patties. Our tip here is to work with a gentle hand. Divide the meat into even portions and then gently form each into patties. It is crucial not to overwork the meat, as it can make dense and tough burgers.
Season the outside of the hamburger patties with a hint of salt and allow them to chill in the refrigerator to firm up while you prepare the grill. Remember to dimple the center of each patty with your thumb for even cooking. Chilling is a step we never skip as it helps the juicy burgers from falling apart when transferred to the grill.
You can also freeze the individual patties at this point and store them in the freezer for up to three months. Par-freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet before stacking them with sheets of wax or parchment paper between each. Tightly wrap them in plastic wrap and then foil to minimize freezer burn. Be sure to label the package in the permanent market with the date. Burgers can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months when properly stored.
Prep the grill
When you’re ready to grill the burgers, be sure to give yourself enough time to prep the grill so it’s ready. Cooking over a grill that isn’t ready can ruin your burger. Allow for about 30 minutes for the grill to prep and preheat. Always start with a clean grill for the best results.
For a charcoal grill
Use a charcoal chimney for the easiest way to ignite charcoal with no lighter fluid. Then prepare your charcoal grill for a 2-zone fire, around 375-400°F, by stacking your charcoal to one side of the grill.
We use Cowboy Charcoal all-natural hardwood briquets when grilling in our kettle grill. We add a handful of Jack Daniel’s wood chips when grilling burgers for additional smoky flavor. Hickory or post oak are also good flavors to use.
For a gas grill
If you’re cooking on a gas grill, always make sure your propane tank is full. Set up the grill by igniting 2 or 3 burners to create a cooler and hotter zone. Close the lid and allow the grill to preheat for 15 minutes.
For a pellet grill
Set up your grill for the sear setting, which will be around or above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your hopper is filled with pellets so there is no chance of it running out while you’re grilling the best burgers.
We love Jack Daniel’s Charcoal pellets for an authentic grilled flavor but will also use hickory or mesquite pellets when needed.
With any grill, close the lid and allow the grill to preheat for 15 minutes before cooking anything. And, if you’re using a griddle going for a griddle-grilled smashburger, make sure your Blackstone grill is cleaned and ready to go by oiling the surface and preheating as well.
Grill the Burgers
When the grill is preheated, it’s time to cook the burgers! Unlike smoked hamburgers, traditional burgers are cooked hot and fast for that signature char-grilled flavor. Place the grills over the hot side of the grill, and cook them for about four to five minutes on each side, flipping them once for even cooking. According to the USDA, burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F, and the best way to tell if they are done is to use a digital meat thermometer.
Remember, the heat of your grill and the weather can affect the cooking times for the burgers. For the most accurate results, check your grill temperature is at a medium-high heat before you start grilling and use an instant-read thermometer.
If flare-ups occur, carefully transfer the burgers to the indirect heat side (or the cooler side of the grill) with a long spatula.
Time the burgers so you can add the cheese for the last minute of cooking to melt while toasting the buns.
Burger temperature guide
- Medium-Rare burgers 4 minutes per side | 130-135 F
- Medium burgers 5 minutes per side | 135-145 F
- Medium-Well burgers 6 minutes per side | 145-155 F
- Well-done burgers 7+ minutes per side | 155-160 F
Assemble the burgers
Once your burgers are cooked to perfection, it’s time to assemble them. Start by toasting your buns on the grill; this will help the sauce or condiment not to soak through the fresh bun. Then pile on your perfect hamburger patty on the toasted bun and any toppings you desire. Classic burger toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and pickles, but feel free to get creative with your toppings.
The juiciest burger is best served fresh off the grill. Have all of your side dishes ready to go so there’s no delay for your hungry family or friends.
Girl Carnivore Expert Burger Tips
- Be sure to shape the patties slightly larger than the buns, as they will shrink a little when cooking.
- Don’t press down on your burgers while grilling them. It can cause the juices to be squeezed out of the patties, drying them out.
- Add flavor to your burgers by using wood chips. For a charcoal grill, place the chips directly on the coals. Wait until the flames have died down before adding your burgers to avoid additional flare-ups. For a gas grill use a smoker box of foil packets when smoking on a gas grill. For a pellet grill, you can also use a smoker box or a pellet tube right on the grill grates for additional smoke flavor.
- Always keep a squirt bottle on hand to lightly extinguish any flare-ups, or simply close the lid to cut off the airflow to the fire.
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FAQs for grilling burgers
To make sure your burger patty doesnt stick to the grill grates, preheat the grill and clean the grates thoroughly. Additionally, oiling the grates with a little oil can help create a non-stick surface.
Flip as often as you need for even cooking. Avoid pressing down on the burgers with a spatula, as this can cause the juices to escape, resulting in dry burgers.
There are many ways to enhance the flavor of your burgers. We love a little Worcestershire sauce in the ground beef mixture and Girl Carnivore Ooomami mushroom powder. Adding toppings such as cheese, caramelized onions, homemade aioli, and bacon can also build on to the overall flavor profile.
Yes, you can grill frozen burgers, but it may require a slightly longer cooking time. Make sure to cook them over medium heat and monitor the internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked.
Grilling burgers is a fun and delicious way to enjoy the great outdoors, regardless of your grill. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to grill up perfect burgers every time. So fire up the grill, invite some friends over, and enjoy the summer grilling recipes with some delicious burgers!
How to Grill Hamburgers
Ingredients
For the grilled hamburger patties
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
To build your burger
- 4 burger buns
- Mayo or your favorite aioli
- lettuce
- cheese
- 1 tomato
- 1/4 onion sliced
- ketchup
- mustard
- pickles
Instructions
Form the patties
- Divide the meat into 4 even portions.
- Gently shape the ground meat into patties, using your thumb to dimple the center.
- Place the burgers on a parchement lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least an hour before cooking.
Prep the grill
- Prep your grill for 2-zone cooking by building a hot and cool side of the grill. Preheat the grill to 375-400°F.
Grill the burgers
- Make sure to clean and oil your grill grates.
- When the grill is preheated, place your burgers over the hot side of the grill, and cook them for 3 to 7 minutes per side, flipping once, for your desired internal temperature.
- Move the patties to the cooler side of the grill if needed to finish the cooking process without causing flare ups.
- If adding cheese, add the slices of the top of the patties during the lst minute of cooking to melt.
Assemble the burgers & Serve
- Build your burgers by toasting the buns and then slathering on the mayo to form a barrier between the lettuce, burger and all your favoite toppings.
- Pile on the lettuce, grilled patties, tomatoes, onions, pickles and condiments.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Medium-Rare burgers 4 minutes per side | 130-135 F
- Medium burgers 5 minutes per side | 135-145 F
- Medium-Well burgers 6 minutes per side | 145-155 F
- Well-done burgers 7+ minutes per side | 155-160 F
- Be sure to shape the patties slightly larger than the buns, as they will shrink a little when cooking.
- Don’t press down on your burgers while grilling them. It can cause the juices to be squeezed out of the patties, drying them out.
- Add flavor to your burgers by using wood chips. For a charcoal grill place the chips directly on the coals. Wait until the flames have died down before adding your burgers to avoid additional flare-ups. For a gas grill use a smoker box of foil packets when smoking on a gas grill. For a pellet grill, you can also use a smoker box or a pellet tube right on the grill grates for additional smoke flavor.
- Always keep a squirt bottle on hand to lightly extinguish any flare-ups, or simply close the lid to cut off the airflow to the fire.
Nutrition
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