How to Grill a Burger with the Best
Any day the weather allows is a good day to grill. If you’re like us, the first food you want to feed to the flames is a thick and juicy, delicious and satisfying burger. Just imagine it… then imagine if it looked and tasted even better! In an effort to help you make the most of your meat, here are 5 ways you can grill a better burger.
1. Think Pink
A good burger starts with good meat. Make sure your beef is a healthy, bright pink without any discolorations or strange odors. Once you’re sure you’ve got good meat, season with salt and pepper, but avoid the urge to over handle which will turn your beef tough and hard.
2. Get in Shape
Once your meat is good and seasoned, create round patties that are just slightly larger than your bun since they will shrink a bit when cooking. Again, try not to overwork. Once shaped, make a small dimple with your thumb in the center of your patty. This will maintain the patty’s shape, so it doesn’t plump too much during the cooking process.
3. The Heat Is On
For standard size patties, grill on medium heat for 14-16 minutes or until they’ve reached the perfect internal temperature for beef of 160-165℉. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your burgers are cooked all the way through. For thicker patties, cook for closer to 20-24 minutes or until done.
4. Don’t Make a Bad Impression
Whatever you do, don’t press down on your patties with your spatula once they are on the grill! This immediately drains out all those delicious juices you’ve worked so hard to create. Instead, use your spatula to flip your burgers only once after one side is fully cooked.
5. Toast with the Most
To give your burger a happy home, lightly butter your buns and toast them on the grill. Untoasted buns will soak up the burger’s juices and fall apart before you’ve had your second bite. A healthy crisp toast will give the burger a firmer shape and hold in all those delicious flavors.
After you’ve taken your burger off the grill, slap it inside your freshly toasted buns, fill it with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
