When the weather starts warming up, people across the country start busting out the grills. Barbecuing is an American pastime and synonymous with summer. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Nothing can ruin a cookout like charred burgers that look more like hockey pucks than a tasty dinner.
Here are a few steps to cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.
Preparation
Start by forming your hamburger patties ahead of time and letting them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 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. After brushing oil on the burgers, you can add salt, pepper and whatever other spices you want.
Cooking
After the grill and its grates are hot, turn a section off and put your burgers there, avoidingdirect flame under the burger. When the burgers are on the hot grates away from the flames, you avoid flare-ups.
Then close the grill and let the burgers cook. The time it will take to cook the burgers varies by how hot the grill is, how big the burgers are and how you want them cooked. Usually, burgers take between two and five minutes per side to cook. The less time, the rarer the meat.
When they are about halfway done, flip them once, and close the lid again.
When the juices of the burger are running clear that's when you know they are done. If you're adding cheese, put it on when the burger's juices are almost, but not quite clear and have some red in it.
Once you pull the burgers off the grill, let them sit for about ten minutes. Then they are ready to eat. No burnt hockey puck burgers at this cookout!
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More problems, solved
FAQs
Place the burgers on the hot grill and cook for 3-5 minutes to sear on the bottom. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side, until you reach your desired degree of doneness. Plan on 5-6 minutes total for rare, 6-7 minutes total for medium-rare, 8-9 minutes total for medium, and 9+ minutes for well-done.
How to make the perfect burger on a propane grill? ›
Place the burgers on the hot grill and cook for 3-5 minutes to sear on the bottom. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side, until you reach your desired degree of doneness. Plan on 5-6 minutes total for rare, 6-7 minutes total for medium-rare, 8-9 minutes total for medium, and 9+ minutes for well-done.
How to keep hamburgers juicy on the grill? ›
3 Tips for Juicy Burgers
- Don't over-handle the meat.
- Flip burgers just once on the grill.
- Never flatten burgers with your spatula.
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.
What temperature and length should burgers be grilled at? ›
Next, heat grill to medium high heat (about 350-400°F). Place burger patties on the hot grill and close lid. Sear for 2-3 minutes or until you see browning and grill marks. Gently flip the burgers and grill an additional 2-3 minutes for rare, 4-5 minutes for medium-rare or 6-7 minutes for medium well.
Do you put aluminum foil on grill for burgers? ›
While there are many ways to grill burgers, using aluminum foil can be a game-changer. Not only does it make the grilling process easier, but it also locks in the flavors and juices, resulting in mouthwatering burgers that everyone will love.
Do you grill burgers with the lid open or closed? ›
When grilling burgers, you can achieve that perfect sear and juicy center by keeping the lid open. The high heat generated by the open flames quickly cooks the burgers, providing a delicious result in a short amount of time.
Should you preheat a grill for burgers? ›
You want to cook burgers quickly to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy exterior, so preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high over direct heat. Preheat the grill to medium or medium-high over direct heat. Oil the grate with a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable.
What do you put on burgers before grilling? ›
Avoid mixing these seasonings into the burger meat, however, since adding salt to ground beef prematurely can toughen it. Instead, season the patties with ample kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper after they're shaped and right before you plan to take them out to the grill.
Should you refrigerate burger patties before grilling? ›
Chilling the patties before cooking gives you a bit more control over getting that exterior well-browned and crisp before the interior goes too far, and help the patties hold their shape. Give them at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to chill, but a few hours or an overnight rest is ideal.
To see if your burger is ready, just plunge the thermometer into the center of the burger. We suggest putting the thermometer into the side of the burger—that way it's less likely to go all the way through the meat and give you a false reading. At 120°F, the burger will be rare. At 130°F, it'll be medium-rare.
How often should I flip burgers? ›
Flip the Burgers Once and Only Once
Constant turning will toughen and dry out the meat, and if you flip too soon, burgers will stick. Cook two minutes per side for rare, three minutes for medium-rare, four minutes for medium, and five minutes for well-done.
What is the best grill setting for burgers? ›
The sweet spot for grilled burgers is 375°F to 400°F, which for most gas grill is medium-high heat. For charcoal grills, make sure you fill the grill with two to three quarts of lit charcoal spread into an even layer.
How do you grill burgers on a gas grill without flare-ups? ›
PRO TIP: By starting burgers while the grill is preheating, it helps prevent flare-ups. and grills burger slowly. Once grill reaches temperature, the turned patty will begin to char and remain juicy. Flame flare-ups will possibly occur if you use a 75/25 ground chuck or place patty on a high-temperature grill.
How long to preheat a gas grill for burgers? ›
Preheating a gas grill is a simple, three-step process:
- Open your lid, turn on the gas (if necessary), and light the grill.
- Turn all burners to the highest heat setting.
- Close the lid and let the grill sit for about 10–15 minutes.
Whether you're cooking steaks with a large fat cap, burgers, or skin-on chicken, foods with a higher fat content will drip more, increasing the likelihood of flare-ups. So, by cutting off any excess fat or skin (anything more than ¼ inch from the edges), you can reduce flare-ups and make your food healthier.
How do you get perfect grill marks on burgers? ›
How to Get Grill Marks on Food
- Step 1: Preheat, Clean, and Lightly Oil the Grill. Use medium-high heat and a cast-iron grate or grill topper if you have one, says Lampe. ...
- Step 2: Oil the Food. ...
- Step 3: Grill the Food on an Angle. ...
- Step 4: Peek. ...
- Step 5: Rotate. ...
- Step 6: Flip and Repeat.
