How To Grill Burgers Like A Pro

The way to perfect burgers is a mix of several essential ingredients. Not every burger is made with the same ingredients. Ingredients used differ based on burger types. 

Since this is all about hamburgers, so let’s take a look at the ingredients needed. Here are they: 

Ground Beef

This is the main star of burgers. Use 80/20 mix ground beef which means 80% lean meat and 20% fat as this ratio gives juicy burgers. Not to mention but choose fresh ground meat for better outcome. 

Freshly packed ones will have a recent packaged date and they will have vibrant pink color without any grayish or suspicious color and smells. 

Garlic and Onion

These ingredients fill the burger with slightly sweet and garlicky flavors, making burgers more delicious. 

Blend both the garlic and onion in a mixer for intense flavors, otherwise, you can use finely minced or powdered ones. So the choice is all yours. 

Salt and Black Pepper

Salt is the main driver that brings life to the burgers, balancing the overall flavors. Whereas, black pepper gives a hint of hotness. It is important to use freshly ground black pepper for better flavors. 

Worcestershire Sauce

This sauce introduces more flavors to burgers when added. In case Worcestershire sauce is not accessible, use soy sauce or vegetable broth since they also enhance the flavors.

Burger Buns

Buns provide support for holding the patty and toppings. Choose any fresh buns based on the choice and toast them with some butter for a delicious experience. 

Butter

We’ll need butter to toast the patties and buns (if desired). You can use any vegetable oil but the butter is a good choice as it leaves a buttery flavor which further makes the burger savory. 

Toppings

What to top with burgers depends fully on you. Some popular burger toppings include cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise, tomato, onions, cabbage, etc. So the lists just go on. 

Tools Needed

• Grill
• Grill Brush
• Spatula or Tongs
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Basting Brush
• Paper Towels
• Plate or Tray
• Meat Thermometer (optional)

Once all the required ingredients and tools are collected, it is time to dive into the steps. Read each step carefully and make a restaurant-like burger at home. So, here it goes: 

Ingredient Measurements

• Ground Beef: 2 pounds, cold
• Garlic: 4 cloves (minced or blended)
• Onion: 1 medium-size, (minced or blended)
• Salt: 1 and ½ teaspoons
• Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Buns: 6-8 (adjust based on how many burgers to make)
• Butter: 1 teaspoon for each bun
• Toppings: lettuce, tomato slices, cheese, sliced onions (choose a few)
• Condiments: mayonnaise, ketchup

Step 1: Make the Burger Mix

Very firstly, let’s prepare a burger mix. This mix wants us to place the cold ground beef in a mixing bowl. Then, proceed to add minced garlic and chopped onions. 

Sprinkle salt and black pepper for seasoning and Worcestershire sauce into that bowl and combine nicely.

Avoid overmixing the ingredients. Just do until they blend well with each other. The mixing thing should not take more than 30-45 seconds. 

Step 2: Preheat the Grill

Before even jumping to the patties, let’s preheat the grill. This creates a heated atmosphere, resulting in quick and even cooking of patties. 

There might be some dirt on the grill gates so take a minute and give a good cleaning with a brush.

Then after, lightly grease oil to the grates because this prevents sticking and helps achieve grill marks on the buns and patties. 

Step 3: Form the Patties

Here, we arrive at the third stage of making patties. A nicely formed patty doesn’t get too tough or dry when eating. So let’s get started:

How to make patties:

• Instead of shaping the patties with your hands, form them on a tray to avoid over-handling the meat. 
• Use a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or any tray or platter and divide the burger mix into 6 or desired equal portions. 
• Take each portion on hand and roll in between your palms until it turns into a round-like ball. 
• Don’t put too much pressure while rolling, it won’t help to get the perfect round shape. So, do it with care. 
• Once patties come in a ball shape, slightly press them to make an indent this makes them partially flat. 
• In the case of a full flatter patty, you don’t have to make an indent, simply press them down until flatten.
• Follow the same process with the remaining patties and keep in mind not to make them thicker than an inch or half inch. 
• Wrap the patties with a plastic wrapper and refrigerate until ready to grill. 

Step 4: Season the Patties

We have already added the seasonings while making the burger mix. But this one is the final touch on the outer part of the patties before they go for grilling.

All it asks is to sprinkle a pinch of dried oregano or any herbs that you like to use. This passes a pleasing fragrance when grilling, making the burger drool. 

Step 5: Grill the Patties

Let’s grill the patties. Place the patties on the grill, indent side up. If your grill has a lid, close it; the patties cook evenly. Let the patties grill for about 5-7 minutes each side. 

Soon after the recommended time passes, flip the patties to other sides and cook for another 5-7 minutes. 

And don’t try to press down the patties while grilling, it releases juices and makes them dry. 

Note: The cooking time will vary as per the thickness of patties and the methods used, for example: oven-baked burgers take 20-25 minutes which is longer than the grilled ones. 

Step 6: Check for the Doneness

By now the patties get a deep brown color and it means they’re cooked well. The inside color of a patty also tells about its doneness. If there is no sign of any pink color, cooked well. 

But if you could still see some pink shades, it is a good idea to let it cook for another few minutes. 

Alternatively, the thermometer also does the doneness test. So, simply insert the thermometer into the center part of the patty and if it shows 160°F (71°C), you can move to the next step. 

Step 7: Add Cheese and Toast the Buns

Before we remove patties from the grill, place a slice of cheese on them and heat it for a minute. Once done, transfer the patties to a plate for cooling. 

Give 1-2 minutes of grilling to the buns with some butter on for extra flavors or just do it plain. They turn golden brown and also get a grill mark that just looks so appealing. 

Step 8: Cool and Assemble the Burgers

Leave those hot grilled buns and patties to cool down for 2 minutes. The juices redistribute throughout the patties and make the burger juicer. 

It is assembling time. First layering on the bottom bun begins with mayonnaise and ketchup, adjust the amount accordingly.

Next, add lettuce, tomato, onions, or other toppings of choice for more flavoring.

Lay the patty on top of the toppings and make another layer with the condiments of the choice, then top the bun. 

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the assembled burgers with some burger sides like fries, corn, fresh salad, or anything you like. 

One of the main keys to juicy burger recipes is the cooking time. That time relies mostly on the thickness of the patties. The kind of doneness you want in the patties also affects the grill time.

Cooking for the first or making burgers for a long, not having the idea of right time literally ruins the whole effort.

So, for ease, we have brought a brief guide on grilling 1-inch thick burger patties. Have a look: 

Rare 

• Grill time: 3-5 minutes per side
• Internal temprature: 120°F-125°F

Medium

• Grill time: 5-7 minutes per side
• Internal temperature: 140°F-145°F

Medium-Well

• Grill time: 6-8 minutes per side
• Internal temprature: 150°F-155°F

Well-Done

• Grill time: 7-9 minutes per side
• Internal temprature: 160°F

The above time won’t be the same for patties thicker than an inch. So you’ll need to extend the time accordingly. 

Burger patties can be stored, both raw and cooked. Here’s how:

1. Refrigeration

Raw patties stay fresh for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, cooked ones go for 3-4 days safely.

It doesn’t call for much effortful preparation. Just arrange raw patties on a tray which is lined with parchment paper. Then, cover them with plastic wrap. Next, pop them in a spot that is the coolest in the refrigerator for better quality. 

In the case of cooked ones, first, fully cool them down, wrap them individually, and then fill airtight containers with them. Don’t overcrowd the patties in one jar, use another if needed. 

2. Freezer

Want the patties to last for 3-4 months? Then, store them in the freezer. 

Raw patties need to go through a flash-freezing process for 1-2 hours before storing. This process makes them solid. 

Then, give a good wrap with a plastic wrap to each patty and then transfer them in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. 

On the other side, cooked patties must go through a cooling process. The rest is the same as that of the raw ones. 

How to reheat burger patties? 

Freezing develops ice crystals in the patties so reheat frozen patties in several ways: microwave, oven, or stovetop. Splash some water to avoid the dryness or use broth for flavors. 

Stop eating burgers only? There are countless burger sides to make your burger more delightful. So here are some: 

• Fries: Potato fries are a natural pair for grilled burgers. The crispy exterior and soft interior make fries an ideal side for burgers. 
• Coleslaw: It adds a refreshing crunch to the burger meal. Looking for something lighter? Serve grilled burgers with some coleslaw and enjoy a fresh touch. 
• Onion Rings: The crispy, breaded coating, and caramelized onions add extra flavor to the meal when combined with grilled burgers. 
• Pickles: Tangy and crunchy pickles make a good alliance with grilled burgers. They cut the richness of burgers with their zesty flavor. 
• Corn on the Cob: Grilled corn on the cob is a tasty side that goes well with burgers. It’s slightly sweet and buttery so adds more flavors that complement the savory burger.
• Cold Drinks or Beverages: Burgers are incomplete without a glass of cold drink or any beverage. Since eating burgers alone might be a bit dry so cold drinks smooth the whole dinning.