A perfectly grilled burger is a sublime experience – juicy, tasty and finger-licking good. Getting the right flavor and texture when cooking burgers on the barbecue does require some skill. There are a few key steps to follow and techniques to master in order to achieve burger perfection every time you fire up the grill.
What Makes the Perfect Burger?
So what defines the ultimate barbecue burger? There are a few standards that need to be met:
- A juicy, flavorful patty – you want moisture and seasoning in every bite.
- A lightly charred exterior with a nice “crust” from the grill.
- Melty cheese is a must for cheesy goodness in each mouthful.
- Complimentary toppings like tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles, etc.
- A soft, sturdy potato or egg bun that holds everything together.
Get these elements right, and you have burger perfection. Here’s how to achieve burger nirvana in your own backyard.
Pick the Right Meat
Success starts with the patty itself. Choosing flavorful, high-quality beef is key for a great tasting burger:
- Go for 80% lean ground chuck. This gives you sufficient fat for juiciness and flavor.
- Freshly ground beef is ideal – avoid pre-packaged if you can.
- Sirloin also works well mixed with some fatty ground chuck.
- If you want a bold, beefy taste, try dry-aged beef.
Supermarket 80/20 ground chuck is a good all-round choice. Have your butcher freshly grind a nice cut like sirloin or chuck steak. For the ultimate indulgence, get some dry-aged beef ground – the concentrated flavor is phenomenal.
Meat Alternatives
For non-meat options, these all make tasty veggie or turkey burger patties:
- Black beans
- Lentils
- Mushrooms
- Quinoa
- Ground turkey
Season well and mix with an egg and breadcrumbs to bind. The key is getting moisture into veggie patties.
Season Your Burgers
Adding seasoning is vital for flavorful, juicy burgers that taste incredible:
- Salt – Essential for enhancing and balancing flavor. Use 1/2 tsp salt per pound of meat.
- Pepper – Sprinkle on some freshly cracked black pepper.
- Garlic Powder – 1/2 tsp per pound gives great garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder – 1/2 tsp per pound provides a nice onion taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce – 2 Tbsp per pound adds depth.
- Spices – Customize with chili powder, cumin, paprika, etc.
Mix the seasonings into the meat thoroughly before forming patties. Let the flavored meat rest at least 15 minutes so the seasoning permeates the burgers. This enhances juiciness.
Marinades & Rubs
Soaking patties in a marinade for a few hours adds even more flavor. Rubs coating the outside provide a tasty crust when cooked. Some good options include:
- Teriyaki marinade
- Red wine vinegar marinade
- Southwestern dry rub
- Cajun seasoning rub
- Lemon-herb rub
Get creative with unique flavor combinations in your marinades and rubs!
Form the Perfect patties
Shaping your burgers properly ensures they hold together on the grill:
- Form loosely packed balls of meat about 1/2 pound each.
- Gently flatten into patties about 4-5 inches wide and 3/4 – 1 inch thick.
- Use your thumb to make a shallow depression in the center to prevent puffing up.
- Handle patties gently and don’t overwork the meat – keep them loose.
Be sure to make your patties a little wider than the bun so they don’t shrink down and slip out when cooking. Press your thumb into the middle of each one to create a natural “crater” – this stops the burger puffing up like a tennis ball on the grill.
How Many Patties Per Person?
Figure each average adult will eat 2 patties. Bigger eaters may want 3. Have a mix of patty sizes – some smaller slider-style, some larger quarter pounders. Calculate 1/3 to 1/2 pound of meat per burger.
Choose the Right Cheese
A good melting cheese is essential for cheeseburger perfection. opt for a cheese that compliments the flavor of your meat:
- Cheddar – classic, sharp flavor
- Swiss – nutty, mellow taste
- Provolone – mild, creamy
- Pepper Jack – spicy kick
- Blue Cheese – strong, crumbly
Have slices ready to top burgers just before taking them off the grill. Place cheese on the patties so it starts melting from the heat.
How Much Cheese Per Burger?
Figure two slices of cheese per average burger, adjusted for patty size:
- Small slider patties – 1 slice cheese
- Regular 1/3 lb patties – 2 slices
- Larger 1/2 lb patties – 3 slices
Pile on that cheese for maximum cheesy burger indulgence!
Pick Fresh Burger Toppings
The toppings make the burger too. Choose fresh, complimentary ingredients:
- Lettuce – Crisp green lettuce like romaine, green leaf or butter lettuce.
- Tomato – Sliced ripe red tomato for color and acidity.
- Onion – Thinly sliced red or white onion.
- Pickles – Tart dill pickles cut into chips.
- Avocado – Slices or guacamole for creaminess.
- Bacon – Crisp cooked bacon crumbles.
Provide traditional topping options like lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Have fun sauces available too like guacamole, bacon crumbles, grilled onions, etc.
Burger Topping Ideas
Get creative with unique burger toppings! Options include:
- Fried egg
- Pineapple rings
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Caramelized onions
- Jalapenos
- Avocado
- Coleslaw
Let guests customize their burgers with a DIY topping bar!
Toast Great Burger Buns
A quality bun that can stand up to juicy fillings is a burger must. Pick a bun with some structure:
- Brioche – Soft, lightly sweet
- Potato – Hearty, sturdy
- Pretzel – Chewy, salty
- Ciabatta – Rustic, robust
Lightly toast buns on the grill before adding fillings. This enhances flavor and helps prevent sogginess. Spread the insides with a little butter or mayo first – this adds richness and moisture.
Burger Bun Tips
- Choose a bun about as wide as the patty.
- Avoid buns with thick, dense bread.
- Lightly toast both sides of the bun on the grill.
- Spread a thin layer of butter or mayo on cut sides.
With a high quality bun, your juicy fillings stay locked in for burger bliss.
Grill ‘Em Perfectly
Grilling the patties just right achieves the ideal texture:
- Get your grill or pan very hot.
- Cook burgers over direct high heat only a few minutes per side.
- Aim for a sear on the outside with a moist, pink interior.
- Don’t press down on patties – let them cook undisturbed.
High heat creates that nice char and caramelized flavor on the outside of your burgers. Resist pressing on them while cooking – this squeezes out all the delicious juices.
Burger Grilling Times
Cook times depend on patty thickness and done-ness preference. Use these guidelines for grilling times:
| Patty Thickness | Rare | Medium | Well-Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch | 2-3 minutes | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes |
| 3/4 inch | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes | 6-7 minutes |
| 1 inch | 4-5 minutes | 5-7 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
Remember to only flip the patties once – resist poking or prodding them as they cook. Let them develop that lovely crust.
Assemble and Serve
Now just stack up all those amazing components:
- On bottom bun, smear condiments like ketchup, mustard and mayo.
- Place burger patty on bottom bun.
- Top patty with cheese slices.
- Pile on fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and other toppings.
- Crown with top bun and serve!
For parties, set up a DIY burger bar with all the fixings and let guests build their own. Serve with classic sides like potato salad, coleslaw and corn on the cob.
Burger Tips & Tricks
- Spread condiments on bottom bun to prevent sogginess.
- Layer cheese on patty then add toppings over cheese.
- Don’t overstuff – be able to pick up and bite your burger!
- Spear with a frilly toothpick to hold stacked burgers together.
Now enjoy that amazing barbecue burger fresh off the grill! Juicy, crunchy, meaty perfection.
Conclusion
Cooking the ultimate burger on the barbecue is easy when you follow a few simple steps. Start with quality beef and flavorful seasonings. Form patties properly and have great toppings ready. Choose a bun that can handle the fillings. Grill over high heat for the perfect crust. Stack up layers properly and serve right away. Now enjoy that backyard burger bliss! Use these techniques and recipes to achieve burger greatness every time you grill.