Burgers are a beloved and quintessentially American food. Whether you like yours plain and simple or loaded up with toppings, properly cooking a burger is key to maximizing flavor and ensuring food safety.
What is the recommended internal temperature for cooking burgers?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). This temperature kills any harmful bacteria that may be present in the meat and prevents foodborne illness. Some chefs argue that medium burgers cooked to 150°F (66°C) are safe, but 160°F is the universally accepted safe standard.
Why is 160°F the recommended temperature?
Ground beef can potentially contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that are killed at temperatures of 160°F and above. If burgers are undercooked, these bacteria can survive and make you sick. Cooking to 160°F provides an added safety buffer to account for inconsistencies in temperature across the burger and ensures any bacteria present are eliminated.
What are the different levels of doneness for burgers?
Here are the various stages of doneness for burgers based on internal temperature:
| Doneness | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Rare | 120-130°F (49-54°C) |
| Medium-rare | 130-140°F (54-60°C) |
| Medium | 140-150°F (60-66°C) |
| Medium-well | 150-160°F (66-71°C) |
| Well-done | >160°F (>71°C) |
Rare and medium-rare burgers are not recommended from a food safety standpoint. To meet the 160°F USDA guideline, aim to cook burgers to medium or medium-well doneness.
How long does it take to fully cook a burger?
Cooking times can vary based on the thickness of your burger and your preferred level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines:
- 1/4 pound burger:
- Medium: 8-10 minutes
- Well-done: 10-12 minutes
- 1/3 pound burger:
- Medium: 10-12 minutes
- Well-done: 12-15 minutes
- 1/2 pound burger:
- Medium: 12-15 minutes
- Well-done: 15-18 minutes
These times are based on cooking on a preheated gas or charcoal grill at medium heat, around 350-400°F. Cooking burger indoors in a skillet or on a flattop will be faster.
How to tell when a burger is done without a thermometer
If you don’t have a instant-read thermometer handy, there are a few ways to test doneness visually:
- Check the internal color – Slice into the center of the burger. Meat cooked to medium is pink in the middle while well-done meat is brown throughout.
- Poke test – Firmly poke the burger with your finger, Medium burgers will feel slightly soft and springy. Well-done burgers will feel firm with no give.
- Flip test – Medium burgers will exhibit some jiggle in the middle when gently lifted on a spatula. Well-done burgers hold their shape when flipped.
- Juices – Medium burgers will release light pink juices. Well-done meat releases clear juices.
While these cues can help determine approximate doneness, using an instant-read thermometer is the most reliable method.
Tips for cooking burgers perfectly
Follow these tips for cooking juicy, flavorful burgers with a safe internal temperature every time:
- Preheat your grill or pan – Heating your cooking surface before adding burgers allows them to sear and cook more evenly.
- Don’t press burgers – Pressing squeezes out flavorful juices and can lead to overcooking.
- Flip only once – Frequent flipping can dry out the meat. Flip just once halfway through cooking.
- Add cheese at the end – Add cheese slices just before burgers are done so they melt without overcooking the meat.
- Rest before serving – Let burgers rest for 5 minutes after cooking so juices can redistribute through the meat.
- Take temperature – Invest in an instant-read thermometer and always verify burgers reach 160°F.
Should you cook burgers from frozen?
Cooking frozen burgers is not recommended. Thawing them in the refrigerator overnight or sous vide before cooking allows patties to cook more evenly throughout. If needed in a pinch, defrost frozen burgers in the microwave using the defrost setting to gently thaw without starting to cook the meat.
Conclusion
For maximum safety and taste, burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F as measured by a food thermometer. This doneness level eliminates any harmful bacteria present while retaining moisture and flavor. Allow at least 12-15 minutes of grilling time for a 1/2 pound burger cooked to 160°F. Employing proper cooking techniques like preheating surfaces, gently flipping once, and letting burgers rest before serving will also produce the best results. Following these guidelines ensures your burgers are not only properly cooked, but deliciously juicy and scrumptious as well.