Burger Grilling: Learn how to grill perfect hamburgers with the 5-6-7 Grilled Burger Method. These tips for buying, mixing, shaping, and grilling your backyard burgers are fool proof.
Burger Grilling 101:
How long should you grill the burger and what temperature indicates doneness? How hot should your grill be for hamburgers? For the beginner, grilling a hamburger can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Become a grill master when you learn how to grill perfect hamburgers every time using the 5-6-7 Grilled Burger Method.
Foolproof tips for grilling backyard burgers:
We understand that not everyone has grilled a hamburger before and simple instructions are what you need. No fancy recipes or additions here. Here you will find the simple how-to’s of grilling a hamburger on your barbecue grill. Whether you want a medium-well, medium, or medium-rare hamburger, there’s a simple solution to help you grill a hamburger.
I use the 5-6-7 grilling method for grilling my hamburgers. This method is nearly foolproof. Of course, there will be variables, like grill temperature fluctuation and grill-grate materials. For instance cast iron, steel, and aluminum will all hold heat, and cook, differently. However, this method is a great guide to help you make the perfect grilled burger every time.
Select and Prepare the Meat:
Start with 1.5 pounds of 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. For grilling, your beef should be no leaner than 85/15 as your burgers will be noticeably dry if you choose a leaner beef.
We’ll divide the 1.5 pounds of ground beef into six 1/4 pound burger patties. To make your patties, knead 1/4 pound of ground beef together in your hands for about 20 seconds to remove some of the air from the manufacturing process, and then form your hamburger patties.
Make the hamburger patties about 1/2 inch thick in the center and about 3/4 inches thick on the outer edge. You can make a 3/4 inch thick hamburger patty and then depress the center to create the low area in the middle. The outside edge of the burger cooks faster, so depressing the center allows the burger to cook more evenly and thoroughly.
Fire up the Grill:
Now that we have our hamburger patties made, we fire up the grill!
- Using a grill thermometer, preheat the grill to 500ºF.
- After your grill is preheated, clean the grates with your grill brush or stone, and then oil the grill grates by dipping a folded paper towel in vegetable oil to wipe on the grates using a pair of long tongs. Do this just before tossing your hamburgers on.
- Salt both sides of your burgers, this helps create the grilled hamburger char we all love.
- Place the burgers over direct heat (over the burner or charcoal).
Always cook hamburger meat thoroughly as recommended by the FDA.
5-6-7 Grilled Burger Method for Grilling Backyard Burgers:
For Medium-Rare Hamburgers – 5 Minutes Each Side
Grill the burgers for 5 minutes on one side and then flip. Grill hamburgers for an additional 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 130 to 135ºF. The burger’s center will be warm and red.
For Medium Hamburgers – 6 Minutes Each Side
Grill your burgers for 6 minutes on one side and then flip. Grill hamburgers for an additional 6 minutes or until the internal temperature is between 140 and 145ºF. The center of the burgers will be pink and warm.
For Medium-Well Hamburgers – 7 Minutes Each Side
Grill your burgers for 7 minutes on one side and then flip. Grill hamburgers for an additional 7 minutes or until the internal temperature is between 150 and 155ºF. The burgers will have a warm center with little to no pink at all.
You can certainly cook your burgers however you like them. If you like your burger mooing, you can cook it for less time, and if you like your burger well done, you can grill your hamburgers for longer. The FDA recommends cooking beef to an internal temperature of 165ºF. FDA Food Safety Recommendations.
Burger Grilling Bonus Pro Tips!
Always grill your hamburgers with the lid closed – “If you’re lookin’ you ain’t cookin’!”
To stop flareups on a charcoal grill; close the grill and vents for 15 seconds. To stop flareups on a propane grill; carefully use a long spatula to gently move the burgers to a new position, close the grill lid, and allow the flareup to burn itself out.
To test the internal temperature of your hamburgers, use a digital thermometer. Hold the hamburger with tongs and slide the thermometer in from the side, until the thermometer point is near the center of the burger, to get the most accurate reading.
How do you like your burgers?
You’ve just learned how to Grill the Perfect Hamburger from SoFabFood Home Chef, Andrew from Scrappy Geek. Impress guests this summer with your new grill master skills! If you’re looking for daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!
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