What temp is medium for a burger?

When cooking burgers on the grill or stove top, it’s important to cook them to the proper internal temperature to ensure they are safe to eat and cooked to your desired doneness. There’s some debate over what constitutes a medium burger, but generally it falls in the range of 135°F to 145°F.

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What is Considered Medium for a Burger?

Here are the commonly recommended temperatures for a medium cooked burger:

135°F to 140°F – The lower end of the medium temperature range. At 135°F the burger will be lightly pink in the center.
140°F to 145°F – The mid-range for medium doneness. At 140°F the burger will be pinkish red in the middle.
145°F to 150°F – The upper end of medium. At 145°F the patty will still have a hint of pink in the center.

Most chefs and cooking experts recommend cooking burgers to at least 160°F for food safety reasons. But some people prefer their burgers at lower temperatures for a juicier, more tender texture.

What Determines Temperature for Medium Burgers?

There are a few factors that impact the final internal temperature needed to achieve a medium cooked burger:

Personal Preference – Some people prefer burgers that are cooked medium rare and are happy with an internal temp closer to 135°F. Others may prefer their patties more well done in the 150°F+ range.

Burger Thickness – Thicker burgers may need to be cooked to a higher internal temp than thin patties to ensure the center is no longer raw.
Cooking Method – Grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven cooking can all impact the final internal temperature.
Food Safety – Ground beef should reach at least 160°F internally to kill any potential bacteria and pathogens.

How to Cook a Medium Burger on the Grill

Follow these tips for grilling burgers to medium doneness:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
Form your burger patties to be 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Thicker burgers will be juicier.

Cook the patties for 3-5 minutes per side. Use a spatula to gently flip them over.
Check the internal temperature after flipping with an instant read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
Remove from grill when burgers reach 135°F to 145°F for medium doneness.

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

The cooking times will vary based on thickness of the patties and heat level of your grill. Pay close attention near the end to prevent overcooking.

How to Cook Medium Burgers on the Stove

You can also pan fry burgers on the stove top to reach a medium internal temp:

Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cast iron or stainless steel work best.
Add just enough oil to coat the pan bottom and heat it up.
Cook patties for about 4-5 minutes per side. Flip gently with a thin spatula.

Use a meat thermometer to check temperature after flipping. Cook until 135°F to 145°F.
Remove from pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

The pan frying method will take a little longer than grilling but follows the same principles. Adjust heat as needed to prevent overcooking.

How Long to Cook Medium Burgers in the Oven

Oven-cooked burgers take a little longer but you can still achieve medium doneness:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Place patties on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Time will vary based on burger thickness.
Test internal temperature, cooking until 135°F to 145°F.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

The oven method requires regularly checking with a meat thermometer for doneness since cooking times can vary.

Tips for Cooking Medium Burgers

Follow these tips for cooking the juiciest medium burgers:

Use freshly ground beef with an 80/20 lean to fat ratio.

Handle the patties gently and don’t overwork the meat when forming.
Make a indentation in the center of the patties to prevent bulging as they cook.
Don’t press down on the patties with the spatula as they cook.

Let them rest after cooking for juices to redistribute through the meat.
Avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer to test doneness.

Signs of Overcooked Burgers

It’s easy to overcook burgers, here’s what to look out for:

Dry, shrunken looking patty
No sign of pink coloring in the center
Hard, tough texture when you bite into it

Lots of juice pooling on the plate
Internal temperature above 150°F

You can avoid overdone burgers by using a meat thermometer and not cooking much beyond the 145°F range for medium doneness.

Is Medium Rare Burger Safe?

Burgers cooked to medium rare (125°F to 135°F) are less done than recommended for food safety but still considered safe by many people. To reduce risk:

Use freshly ground high-quality beef from a trusted source
Form patties properly without overworking meat

Cook exterior thoroughly to kill surface bacteria
Avoid cross-contamination by washing hands, utensils, cutting boards

Pregnant women, young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems should avoid undercooked burgers.

Conclusion

For a juicy, tender burger with a hint of pink center, cook to a medium doneness of 135°F to 145°F internal temperature. Monitor temperature closely with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Let rest before serving. While burgers cooked below 145°F are not recommended for food safety, many people still prefer medium rare burgers prepared properly.