Seldom do you find a barbecue party without burgers as main item. It is a quintessential dish for any backyard grilling parties, picnics and even birthday get-together. There is nothing more enticing than taking a bite of a big juicy and delicious burger on a warm summer afternoon. Grilling the perfect burger patty is an art in itself. But, it is very simple to grill burger that involves some easy but important steps. Getting the right cut, grinding it, and cooking it to perfection are very essential for that perfect burger. Follow these few steps mentioned below to prepare a yummy burger and treat your guests with a delicious dish.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 15 to 20 minutes
Resources Required:
1. Fresh ground beef
2. Burger buns
3. Salt and pepper
4. Onions
5. Condiments like cheese, tomatoes, relish, ketchup etc.
6. Grill
7. Baking paper
8. Tray
9. Oil
10. Tongs
11. Spatula
Instructions:
1. Preparation
- The best meat for burgers is chuck. Select meat with a fat content of 15-20 percent. This will make it more juicer by retaining the moisture.
- Grind the beef finely and then chill it in the refrigerator for a while.
2. Make the patties
- You can choose to either season the patties with various sauces like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce or steak sauce, or leave it plain and simple with just enough salt and pepper to bring out the authentic taste of the meat.
- You can also add some finely chopped onions and chillies to the meat for some extra flavour. The option is yours.
- Once you have mixed all the required ingredients to the ground beef, you can start making the patties.
- Wash your hands properly and take about half a pound of ground beef. Make it into a tight ball, the size of a baseball.
- Then, firmly press the ball into a flat disc like shape, using both your hands gently.
- They should be ideally about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick with the diameter about 1/2 inch bigger than the burger bun.
- Make use of a spatula and shape the patty evenly and also pull in the sides so that they remain tight and together.
- Place a baking paper on a tray and arrange the patties on it as and when you are done.
3. Grilling
- Once the patties have all been made, preheat the grill to about medium high. Let it heat for at least 5 minutes.
- Then, grease the grill pan with some cooking spray or oil. You can do so by dabbing the oil onto a paper towel and then using tongs to hold the towel and wipe the grill. Doing so will ensure that the patties do not stick to the grill and also helps the meat cook faster.
- Using a spatula, gently place the burger patties on the grill over direct heat.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side and then turn it over and cook for a further 4 to 5 minutes.
- Try and flip the burger only once, as the more you handle the burger the more drier it would be. Also avoid pressing the patties down with the spatula, as this would squeeze out the juice, invariably making the burger dry.
- Check if the burger is done by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the meat. If it reads more than 160F then you are good to go.
4. Assembling
- Once cooked, remove the burgers from the grill and on a plate lined with kitchen towels to drain any oil.
- Let them rest for about 3 to 4 minutes to redistribute the juices.
- Slice the burger buns in half, place condiments like lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on it and top with the burger patty. You can also add ketchup and mayonnaise for a more juicer and flavorful burger.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If I want a smoky flavor for my burgers what should I do?
Once you have pre-cooked the patty for a while directly on the heat, move it to the opposite side of the grill where it is not the hottest and then grill with the lid on to get a smokier flavour. You can also use a barbecue sauce along with the ground meat for a smoky flavour.
Quick Tips:
1. Over cooking the burger patty can make it chewy and dry. So, opt for medium heat while grilling a burger.
2. Adding a variety of condiments makes all the difference to a burger. The more the better, especially when you have a lot of people at a party.
3. Try toasting the burger buns on the barbecue grill for a while before serving the patties for added texture.
4. Do not over handle the ground beef as it may dry out. Place them in the refrigerator just before they are ready to go on grill.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Grills can become extremely hot, so watch your hands while cooking the patties.
- Uncooked meat is prone to harmful bacteria. So, take care and cook the meat always to perfection.
