Learn the best techniques and tips for grilling hamburgers to perfection. Find out how long to grill burgers no matter the size of your patties and desired internal temperature.
place burger patties onto direct heat - do not press down
flip after 3-5 minutes or halfway through
add cheese when there is just 1 minute remaining and close the lid to melt it
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Notes
Grilled burgers are not the place to save on fat. Choose a higher fat ground beef for your grilled burgers, because they do render quite a bit through the grill grates while cooking. We like 80/20 for our grilled burgers.
Keep the patties cold. In fact, as you mix the beef mixture and form the patties, touch them as little as possible.
Be cautious with adding too much salt (or simply wait until after cooking your burgers) as it can draw the moisture out of the meat.
Handle the meat as little as possible while cooking too. Ideally, flip the patties just once.
Do not press down with your grilling spatula- this forces the juices from the meat instead of locking them in.
Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes (tent to keep warm) after you remove them from the grill. Again, this helps to lock the juices inside.
How Long to Cook Burgers on Grill
For large burger patties, you’ll cook for approximately seven minutes over medium heat. These are the temperatures to aim for if you're using a meat thermometer.