How To Grill Really Juicy Burgers Every Single Time (2024)

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Emma Christensen

Emma Christensen

Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories

updated Aug 22, 2022

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How To Grill Really Juicy Burgers Every Single Time (1)

When it comes to backyard burgers off the grill, we all want the same thing: a tender and juicy burger that we can really sink our teeth into.

Serves8

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How To Grill Really Juicy Burgers Every Single Time (2)

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There are hundreds of ways to make a burger, but this an old family recipe guarantees flavorful, juicy burgers every time. (Image credit: Emma Christensen)

When it comes to backyard burgers off the grill, we all want the same thing: a tender and juicy burger that we can really sink our teeth into. There are a hundred and one ways to grill a burger, but here’s an old family recipe that guarantees flavorful and juicy burgers every time.

I first learned this recipe standing at my grandfather’s knee, fascinated as he made a long “snake” on the counter. After filling the snake with onion and seasonings, he would pinch it closed, separate it into individual patties, and then fry them to a caramelized brown.

This method is more than just a trick to entertain small children — it allows you to pack the burgers full of flavor without the risk of over-handling the meat. Overworked and compacted beef results in a dry, crumbly burger. Handling the meat only minimally ensures a tender texture and juicy bite.

Things To Consider When Grilling Burgers

It’s also important not to over-handle the burgers once they’re on the grill. Flip them just once and take care when you move them so the burgers don’t get squished. Never flatten the burgers with the back of your spatula. This just presses out those fantastic juices and doesn’t help you get any better char marks.

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See Also
Juicy Lucy

3 Tips for Juicy Burgers

  • Don’t over-handle the meat.
  • Flip burgers just once on the grill.
  • Never flatten burgers with your spatula.
Comments

How to Grill Really Juicy Burgers

When it comes to backyard burgers off the grill, we all want the same thing: a tender and juicy burger that we can really sink our teeth into.

Serves 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds

    ground beef (80% lean / 20% fat)

  • 1/2

    small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons

    Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 teaspoons

    tamari or soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon

    garlic powder

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 6

    slices melting cheese, such as cheddar, swiss, or American (optional)

  • 6

    hamburger buns, split

  • Topping options: tomato slices, lettuce, cooked bacon, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, mayonnaise, ketchup

Equipment

  • Gas or charcoal grill

  • Flat spatula

Instructions

  1. Heat the grill. Heat an outdoor grill to high heat (about 450°F), or until you can hold your hand an inch over the grates for only one second. On a charcoal grill, arrange the coals to create a high heat and a low heat cooking zone (direct and indirect grilling). Meanwhile, prepare the burger patties.

  2. Season the beef. Place the ground beef on a baking sheet and gently pat it into a log about 2 feet long. Use your thumb to make a deep trough in the center. Sprinkle the onions evenly into the trough. Whisk the Worcestershire, tamari or soy sauce, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Sprinkle this over the onions. Finish with a few grinds of fresh black pepper over everything.

  3. Shape the patties. Pinch the ground beef closed around the onions. Divide the meat into 8 equal portions using a chef knife, a bench scraper, or your fingers. Use your hands to gently flatten each portion into a patty about 1-inch thick. Try not to compact or overwork the meat. Let the burgers sit at room temperature until the grill is ready, about 20 minutes.

  4. Grill the burgers. Place the patties on the grill in a single layer. Cook until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until girll marks appear on the second side, about 2 minutes more. If using a charcoal grill, move the patties to a lower-heat (indirect) area of the grill. If using a gas grill, reduce the heat to medium. Grill 2 to 3 minutes more for medium-rare burgers, 3 to 4 minutes more for medium, or 5 to 6 minutes more for well-done burgers. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on top of each burger and toast the buns.

  5. Assemble the burgers. Place a patty on each toasted bun and serve with toppings.

Recipe Notes

Different flavorings: Instead of or in addition to the onions and Worcestershire sauce, try stuffing the burgers with things like fresh minced herbs, barbecue sauce, cubes of cheese, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and hot sauce.

Make ahead: The burger patties can be seasoned, shaped, and refrigerated for up to 1 day ahead before grilling. Let the patties sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling to take the chill off.

Storage: Leftover cooked burger patties can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Filed in:

autumn

Beef

children

Cooking Methods

dinner

easy

How To Grill Really Juicy Burgers Every Single Time (2024)

FAQs

How To Grill Really Juicy Burgers Every Single Time? ›

Try using some 80/20 or 85/10 ground beef. I thoroughly mash together the meat after adding the sauce and seasonings and then create the patty by flattening and then throwing the patty from hand to hand with some force. The result is a nice juicy tightly packed burger.

How to keep hamburgers juicy on the grill? ›

Try out these 7 simple tricks for making a perfect, juicy grilled burger every time.
  1. Avoid extra-lean grinds. The higher the fat content of your ground beef, the moister the patty. ...
  2. Don't manhandle your meat. ...
  3. Make a dip. ...
  4. Resist the urge to press. ...
  5. Take them off the grill a little early. ...
  6. Water is your friend. ...
  7. Get stuffed.
Nov 17, 2022

How do you cook burgers so they are juicy? ›

11 Answers
  1. Use only good beef, salt and pepper. ...
  2. You need to keep the ground meat as cold as possible, to prevent the fat melting out of it before you cook it. ...
  3. Generously salt the outside of the burgers about 1 hour before cooking.
  4. Get a good pan (preferably a cast iron griddle) really, really, really hot.
Mar 29, 2011

How do you make juicy burgers that don't fall apart? ›

Try using some 80/20 or 85/10 ground beef. I thoroughly mash together the meat after adding the sauce and seasonings and then create the patty by flattening and then throwing the patty from hand to hand with some force. The result is a nice juicy tightly packed burger.

Why aren't my burgers juicy? ›

Using meat that's too lean results in burgers that are lacking in both flavor and texture, and easily end up dry and crumbly. → Follow this tip: A good-tasting, juicy burger needs to be made using ground beef with a high fat content. The fat is important for adding flavor and holding the patty together.

Should I oil my burgers before grilling? ›

The fridge time will help the burger cook more evenly and trap the juices inside. Before cooking, you should preheat the grill. While that's happening, brush the burgers with a high-heat oil. Oils like grapeseed oil or vegetable oil can withstand higher temperatures before burning than butter or olive oil.

How do you keep meat juicy on the grill? ›

How to Avoid Dry Food on the Grill
  1. Clean Your Grill. A clean grill help food to cook evenly and avoid sticking. ...
  2. Don't Use Meat That is too Lean. This goes for burgers and steaks. ...
  3. Don't Handle it too Much. ...
  4. Let it Rest. ...
  5. Cook for the Right Amount of Time.

Should you grill burgers with the grill open or closed? ›

You should grill with the lid open when you're cooking quickly at high temperatures. This applies to your typical grill fare - beef burgers, brats, frankfurters, chicken legs, or vegetarian alternatives like halloumi, grilled asparagus, or vegetable kebabs.

What can I add to hamburger meat to keep it moist? ›

Secret Ingredients – My secret to juicy burgers is mixing olive oil and Worcestershire sauce into the meat prior to cooking! This locks in the moisture and amps up the flavor. Try it and taste the difference. Seasonings – I keep it simple with sea salt, black pepper, and a little garlic powder.

Why are my hamburgers dry and tough? ›

Make sure you have enough fat in your burger blend

The high heat cooking needs fat to melt into your burger or you will end up with dry, rubbery, bland burgers every time. Your basic ratio should always include 20% fat.

Do you mix egg with ground beef for burgers? ›

Instructions for How to Make Ground Beef Patties for burgers: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 egg, and a generous amount of salt and pepper to season (half tsp each). Egg is a burger binding agent for the ground beef patty. Divide the well mixed beef into four equal round balls and form into patties.

What is a good binder for hamburgers? ›

One of the most common substitutes is breadcrumbs, but sometimes the breadcrumbs can fall off when the burgers are cooking if there are too many or they are too dry. Other popular substitutions for eggs include cornstarch, flour, ketchup, porridge oats, cracker crumbs, and ground flaxseed.

What is the secret to juicy hamburgers? ›

Juicy Burger Recipe
  1. Ground Chuck – 80/20 is ideal. ...
  2. Egg Yolk – This helps add just a touch of extra moisture to your burgers and makes the patties easier to form.
  3. Olive Oil – This is the ultimate key to trapping a little extra moisture into your burgers!

How to prevent burgers from drying out on the grill? ›

You can think of the butter as a bit of an insurance policy; while the temperature you cook your burgers to is still super important, the added butter will keep your burgers moist, even if you slightly overcook them. So grab a stick of butter and an instant read thermometer: It's grilling season!

How do you keep burgers juicy while cooking? ›

3 Tips for Juicy Burgers
  1. Don't over-handle the meat.
  2. Flip burgers just once on the grill.
  3. Never flatten burgers with your spatula.

How do you grill burgers without making a mess? ›

You might grill to keep from cleaning the kitchen, but cooking fatty burger patties on the grill can also create a bit of a mess. Sure, it's nothing a grill brush (or aluminum foil) can't handle. But using a cast-iron skillet on the grill will reduce the mess even further.

How do you keep burgers from flaring up on the grill? ›

To avoid flare-ups, balance the heat of your grill with the fat content of the burger. “You're going to be in trouble if you have a high-fat burger on a very hot grill,” says Lang. “You're going to get too much crust before the burger even cooks. If you want really high heat, you can go with a leaner burger.”

How do you not overcook burgers on the grill? ›

Cook 2 minutes per side for rare, 3 for medium-rare, 4 for medium and 5 for well-done. 2. Don't Press Burgers While Cooking: This is a common mistake in grilling burgers. The juice that seeps out holds most of the flavor and moisture — let your burgers hold on to it!

Should you press down on burgers on the grill? ›

Even if you were to cook a burger on a surface more conducive to browning (like a cast iron), pushing it down with a spatula does more harm than good. Pressing the patties pushes out all of the natural juices collecting in the center of the burger. And no amount of secret sauce is enough to recoup the lost moisture.

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