The summer season is for tailgating, tasty cookouts, and fun pool parties. The season is not complete without sizzling burgers heating on the grill side by. Almost everyone has had hamburgers at events and parties but only a few folks know the skill of making the perfect grilled hamburgers. If you are looking it up on the internet and come across this article, you’ve found the definitive guide. Congrats! You’re on your way to become a hamburger grilling genius.
Grilling food during a barbecue cookout with friends and families is one cool thing to do. Grilling a tasty patty and nailing it perfectly while being surrounded by friends and families is when an ordinary American man feels like a king. With so many expected eyes, it is imperative for him to master the art of grilling and being aware of the methods of grilling tasty meals.
Making hamburgers is pretty simple. You need to know that hamburgers get their flair and flavor from the spices and condiments added during their preparation.
However, before you go about experimenting with different flavors and sauces, it is imperative to be aware of the basics of hamburger grilling given in this step-by-step guide on making simple yet effective grilled hamburgers.
Before we dive into the action, here is a list of ingredients that you must have.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- Salt and Pepper (or Montreal Steak Seasoning for a flavor boost!)
- Buns and Fixings
Now that you have a list of the necessary ingredients, here is the method for grilling a perfect hamburger.
Step 1: What Meat to Use?
Get one pound of ground beef. For grilling purposes, you should opt for beef that is no less than 85/15; doing so will cause your burgers to dry when grilling. Ensure that the beef is clean and buy from a trustworthy source.
Now that you have the beef lying in front of you, cut the beef diligently to make the burger patties. To remove the air from the manufacturing process, knead the beef together with your hands for 20 seconds and shape the cut pieces into hamburger patties.
If you want to lower the fat content in the beef patty, add some moisture to the beef.
Step 2: Getting the Grill Ready
Set the grill at the required temperature to ensure that you get your desired juicy texture.
Since you are cooking a thin slice of beef patty, ensure that the patty does not come in direct contact with the heat.
To ensure that you don’t overcook the patties while providing them the right temperature, pre-heat the grill to 500 °F. Once you feel that the grill has reached a suitable temperature, clean and oil the grates.
This step is not one to be taken lightly. Not paying attention during this step will have an effect on the burgers you are preparing. Clean the grates using a grill brush or a stone. If you are using the grill for the first time this summer, you will also need to use a cloth to ensure that you get rid of all residue from previous cookouts.
Once you are done cleaning, oil the grates. Dip a folded paper towel in vegetable oil and then wipe the grates using the towel. A pair of long tongs will be useful in this regard. It is vital to oil the grill just before you toss the hamburgers. You are now set for grilling the patties. Let the action begin!
Before oiling the grates, spread the heat to all parts of the grill. The burners inside the gas grill will spread the heat evenly at the required temperature. Just when you are just ready to cook shut off one section to lightly oil the grates.
Step 3: Seasoning
Now that your burger patty and gas grill are ready, start grilling and making hamburgers. Place the hamburgers on the grill and set the temperature of the gas grill to somewhere around 165 °F. This temperature is the minimum and anything that below can leave the patty raw and make the person eating it ill. If you don’t want to eat something as hard as a hockey puck, avoid heating the patty at a temperature higher than 165 °F.
Now that you have set the grill’s temperature, the next step is to season the grill by applying your favorite sauces and flavors.
Use your preferred blend of salt, herbs, and spices to season one side. Place the seasoned side facing the grill while the other side faces upwards. Follow this up by seasoning the unseasoned side.
The seasoning of the burgers will develop a great aroma around your home. You’ll be tempted to eat a little while cooking. Don’t be surprised when you see a few neighbors sneak up to your yard. We’ve already given you a heads-up!
Grilling the Burgers
While all the other steps of the grilling process are dependent on the recipe, the grilling itself relies more on method than a recipe.
Just like the other meals and foods that you have grilled in the past, cover the lid of the grill for about three to four minutes. When you uncover the lid, gently flip the burger using a spatula. Gentle handling is the need of the hour because using too much force can spill the juices out of the burger.
It is imperative to remember to season the burger during the intervals. Once both sides have been seasoned, cover the grill and cook for about two more minutes.
The burger will have a light brown appearance. You’ll be able to know that the patty has gotten a crispy texture when its size and shape changes upon applying little force.
Final Touches
After seasoning and noticing the change in appearance and texture, add the cheese of your choice. While doing this, ensure that you apply equal layers of cheese on all the burgers because you don’t want one burger to be juicier than the others.
Now, close the grill for the last time and allow the cheese to melt over the burgers by heating it for two more minutes. Once the burger reaches an internal temperature of 140 °F, remove it from the grill and place it on the bottom of a toasted bun.
Add a little dressing on the patty. Your grilled hamburger is ready for serving.
Serve ’em Up (Preferably with Fries)
Serve your juicy hamburger with some sides that will take the meal to another level.
For sides, you can add some grilled vegetables, homemade garlic aioli, or a pair of fresh fruits; these options will definitely give your hamburger a spicy relishing look.
You can also add caramelized onions, grilled peppers, and mushrooms to the burger, depending on the taste you want the meal to have.
Not being afraid of experimenting is the key to making the perfect grilled hamburgers. You can use your imagination and love for food to surprise both yourselves and the person eating the hamburger.
With a perfectly grilled and dressed-up burger, your meal is now ready to serve. A refreshing drink or juice served with the juicy hamburger will make your summer barbecue a hit. Don’t be shocked when word goes around the neighborhood and people start asking you for an invite.
The Secrets of Getting it Right the First Time
Contrary to the popular belief, you can make the most perfect grilled hamburgers even on the first attempt. Here are some secrets that top chefs around the world use to make the perfect hamburgers.
1. Don’t Compress the Meat
Compressing the meat causes it to lose the juicy elements that make hamburgers so great. Rather than applying force, gently pat it into shape so that the meat does not lose its fat.
2. Indent the Center
Don’t forget to indent the center of the burger because it leads to puffing. The puffing will make it hard for the burger to attain the same temperature throughout.
3. Don’t Overdo the Flipping
Yes, flipping the burger while grilling it looks cool. However, overdoing it will drain the burger’s juices. In addition to avoiding the excessive flipping, also avoid poking the burger to check for the temperature. Poking too much will lead to a loss of moisture from the burger. Cook one side for 5 minutes, flip the burger, and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
Our Final Thoughts
Although you can experiment and add extra flavors to it, the method mentioned above is the simple, less-fancy way of grilling hamburgers. PS: Don’t forget that Montreal Steak Seasoning is a great addition to your burger…
