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It’s officially grilling season! And as far as summer cookouts go, burgers are a must-have for just about any menu! Whether it’s a 4th of July feast or simply a weeknight dinner, the sizzle of the grill and the juicy, meaty patties will have everyone lining up for seconds. But if you’re new to grilling recipes—or you just want to ensure perfect burgers every time—you’ll want to know just how long it takes to grill a burger and what the right burger temperature is for that matter. After all, some of your guests might prefer their burgers more rare while others will want them cooked to medium-doneness. Whats more? This guide to burger temperatures can be used all year-round so even if you make your burgers on the stovetop, youll know just the right way to cook em!
So, whats the best way to tell if your burgers are done? Youll want to grab a meat thermometer for that! Just like with other ground beef recipes, it can be tricky to know the temperature of a burger without this simple tool. Thats because many times burgers are pink in the middle, but still safe to eat. Once you have your thermometer handy, you can use the burger temperatures below as your guide. Then, fire up your grill and start flipping with our best burger recipes—classic cheeseburgers or BLT sliders, you cant go wrong!
What temperature should burgers be cooked to?
The temperature of your burger depends on how you like your burgers cooked. According to the USDA, ground meat should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 160˚ which will give you a well-done beef burger. But if you like your burgers a little less done, aim for one of the burger temperatures below:
• Medium-rare: 130° to 135°
• Medium: 140° to 145°
• Medium-well: 150° to 155°
Keep in mind that your burger patties will continue to cook (because of residual heat) even after being removed from the grill, so if you want to reach the desired temperatures above, youll need to take the patties off 5 to 10 degrees before they reach their ideal temp. Insert your thermometer horizontally from the side to reach the thickest part of the burger and get an accurate read.
How long do you cook burgers?
If you like your patty medium-rare with a red-pink center and browning around the edges, grill for about 2 1/2 minutes per side or five minutes total, or until the internal temperature reads 130 to 135 degrees. Thinner patties will be done on the earlier side and extra-thick patties may need a bit longer, so always use your trusty thermometer to be safe!
The Biggest Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Burgers
FAQ
Is half pound of meat a lot?
How many lbs should a burger be?
What is the best size for a burger?
How many patties is half a pound?
How many ounces a burger is too much?
“Most of the time, 7 ounces is more than enough,” said Geoffrey Zakarian, the chef and owner of the National Bar and Dining Rooms, in Manhattan, which serves a fine hamburger of roughly that size. Mr. Zakarian cautioned against hamburgers of more than a half-pound in weight. “You want to get some heat to the inside of the burger,” he said.
How many carbohydrates are there in a quarter pound hamburger?
According to the USDA’s National Food Data Central, a quarter-pound hamburger has 27 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, this same amount of hamburger has only 1 gram of fiber and 16 grams of fat.
Can you eat too much fat in a hamburger?
Less fat leads to a drier hamburger. Avoid, the experts say, supermarket blends advertised with words like “lean.” Too much fat, on the other hand, can lead to equally troubling issues, and a mess in both fact and flavor. “You get up around 30 percent fat,” Mr. Symon said, and there are risks.
Why do burgers have a lot of fat?
Having the right amount of fat in a burger patty is what binds the meat together to ensure it doesn’t fall apart. Too much fat and the burger will be too moist and fall apart, and too little fat and it will dry out easily and crumble. The fat will also add more flavor to the burger.