Fire up the grill, we’re making burgers! The amount of time it will take you to grill burgers depends on a variety of factors, including the thickness of the burgers, how cooked you want them, and whether your burgers are fresh or frozen. But knowing the different cooking times and easily checking for doneness will ensure your burgers are grilled to perfection every time. You can order your burger master apron as soon as possible.
Knowing how long it takes to grill a burger doesn’t have to give you heartburn. The time it takes to grill a perfect burger depends on the thickness of the burger and how well done you want it. The thicker the burger, the more time it will take.
To check the temperature of your burger, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center, which should be the thickest part of the burger. Take a look at the burger cooking times chart below for the perfect burger cooking times and the ultimate burger temperature guide:
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Rare
(120-125°F)
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Medium rare
(130-135°F)
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AVERAGE
(140-145°F)
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Average well
(150-155°F)
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Good game
(160-165°F)
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½ inch thick
|
4 minutes
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5 minutes
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6 minutes
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7 minutes
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8 minutes
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¾ inch thick
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6 minutes
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7 minutes
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8 minutes
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9 minutes
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10 minutes
|
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1 inch thick
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8 minutes
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9 minutes
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10 minutes
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11 minutes
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12 minutes
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Frozen Hamburger Cooking Times
Fresh burgers cook much faster than frozen burgers. If you prefer to grill frozen burgers or don’t have time to defrost them ahead of time (sometimes, you just have to have a burger!), you can still grill them, but be sure to allow extra time.
Cook frozen hamburger patties over medium heat rather than high heat to avoid drying out the burger.
How much longer does it take to cook a frozen burger? It could be double the time it takes to cook a fresh burger. For example, if you’re grilling a 1/2-inch frozen burger patty, it might take 12 minutes to cook to medium rare, but check for doneness after about 10 minutes. If you’re grilling a 1-inch frozen burger patty, it could take 20 minutes, but check for doneness a few minutes in advance to avoid overcooking your meat.
Grilling Hamburgers With and Without a Lid
If you grill burgers indoors without covering your grill, your cooking time will be doubled. The same rule applies to cooking times outdoors when you don’t have a cover.
The best way to cook your burger evenly and quickly, without losing any juices, is to cook it with a closed lid. However, grilling is a personal approach. Some recommend an approach that uses both open and closed lids at different points in the cooking process. On the other hand, some advocate using a closed lid with gas grills and keeping the lid open when cooking burgers over charcoal.
When grilling burgers using the chart above, opt for a high temperature. If you choose a medium-high or medium temperature, you will need to plan on cooking your burgers longer to achieve the desired results. Slow and steady is key!
Always take the temperature of your burgers when they are a minute or two away from cooking to ensure you don’t overcook them.
You should only need to flip your burgers once when grilling. You can flip them more often if you like, but it’s not necessary to grill burgers to perfection. Flip the burgers about halfway through cooking.
Don’t press down on the burger patties! This can make the grill hotter and the burgers will cook faster, but you’ll lose a lot of juices. The best accompaniment to burgers is patience.
To ensure grilled burgers are safe to eat, check the internal temperature of the meat with an instant-read thermometer. Beef should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 160°F to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, suggests the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). When cooking burgers to your desired doneness (medium or well done), the juices should run clear (not red). You can also visually check the desired doneness of burger patties by cutting them in half and looking at the center of the burger.
Of course, grill temperature won’t matter if you don’t have the right meat, don’t preheat the grill, or don’t follow food safety rules.
Choose the right meat
For a richer, juicier burger, try patties with a lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 or 85/15. Visually inspect the meat to ensure it is fresh and make sure it is not past its expiration date.
Preheat the grill
For best results, preheat your grill with the lid on for at least five to eight minutes before placing the burger patties on the grill to cook.
Practicing Food Safety
To prevent foodborne illness, avoid cross-contamination with other foods and surfaces with raw ground beef and before it is fully cooked. And don’t leave raw meat out at room temperature. One more thing! Don’t refreeze thawed meat.
Safe Temperatures for Hamburgers
Technically, you shouldn’t eat a hamburger cooked below 160°F. This means that a hamburger is safest to eat when it’s cooked thoroughly; otherwise, it’s possible that not all of the bacteria will be killed.
Making a great burger on the grill doesn’t have to be difficult. Use the temperature chart to help you make the best burgers. Take a screenshot, print it, or memorize it. Your friends will want to know your secret.
