Burgers are a wonderful summertime cookout dish because of their versatility. You can have them plain and simple, or add a variety of toppings, giving a little something for everyone! Plus, they're a comfort food *and* they're portable. What's not to love? And now thanks to vegan brands, you can eat a burger even if you can't have meat.
If there's one thing that can make your burger experience less-than-enjoyable, it's a dry, tough patty. Just like when you grill chicken or turkey, there are some tips you can follow to get a delicious end result. Keep reading for how to cook a burger that tastes amazing every single time.
Prepping Your Burgers
Image via Geraud pfeiffer/Pexels
The very first step in cooking a good burger is choosing high quality ground beef. Opt for a ratio of 80% lean meat and 20% fat if you can because the fat is what makes the patty even more flavorful and juicy.
Get your hands wet before you shape the beef into patties to make sure none of the meat sticks to your fingers. You also don't want to overwork it! Using too much force to shape the patties will toughen up the meat before you even put it on the grill. Adding a divot with your thumb or the back of your knife will prevent the burgers from puffing up.
Your patties will shrink while cooking, so shape them so they're a little bit larger than your buns. That way, you don't have bites of just bread. Set your grill or pan is at a medium-high temperature to keep your burger juicy.
Once you have your patties ready to go, wait until right before you add the burger to the grill before adding your seasoning, since salt dissolves muscle proteins and will dry the burger out.
How To Cook A Burger
Image via B+C
We know how tempting it is to squish your burger patties with a spatula once they're cooking. You actually don't want to do this because it'll squeeze all of the juices out of the meat, and leave the flavor in the pan instead of on your plate.
To keep your patty from breaking apart, wait until you see a crust forming on the side that's already cooking then flip the burgers once. That way, the meat is cooked enough that it doesn't stick to the pan *and* you don't lose extra tenderness from constant flipping.
If you're unsure whether you want to flip once or multiple times, feel free to experimenting between the two options. It's just an excuse to eat more cheeseburgers ;).
After your burger is cooked all the way through, let it rest for around a minute before you serve it. That way, the juices redistribute throughout the patty and you get a yummy, juicy burger. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!!
Try These Delicious Burger Recipes
Image via B+C
Whole30 'Animal-Style' In-N-Out Burger
There's no question whether In-N-Out's "animal style" burger is delicious, and it's actually a lot easier to make for yourself than you might think. This Whole30 recipe will satisfy your cravings and gives you a healthier fast food option. (via Brit + Co)
Image via B+C
Breakfast Burger
A cheeseburger is already delicious on its own, but add sausage, egg, tomato, and a hash brown? Absolute insanity — in the best way. (via Brit + Co)
Image via B+C
California Black Bean Burger
Not a meat eater? Not a problem. This black bean burger has a ton of healthy ingredients like cauliflower, black beans, and oats. Plus it still tastes amazing with all of your favorite toppings. (via Brit + Co)
Do you have any extra tips for how to cook a burger? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Pinterest for more cookout recipes.
Header image via B+C
