Getting the timing right for burgers can be hard. Everything depends on three main factors: the heat, the thickness of the burger and the goal, rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well done. Thick beef patties cook longer.
If the grill is not hot enough it takes more time
How long to cook burgers and simple tips
The times below are about 1-inch thick patties of four inches in diameter, grilled at 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the burger patty evenly and lay it on a pre-heated grill. Leave it cook 1 to 3 minutes depending on the goal and temperature, then turn it and cook 1 to 3 more minutes.
For medium-rare grill burgers 2.5 to 3 minutes per side. Look for 130 to 135 degrees on the thermomter. For medium, grill 3.5 to 4 minutes or until 140 to 145 degrees.
Medium well or well done take 4.5 to 5 minutes per side. Well done burgers cook about 9 to 10 minutes.
Blue rare burgers end in less than 4 minutes and reach 115 to 120 degrees. They have a red center with soft, juicy texture.
For quarter-pound burgers plan at least 10 minutes grill, 5 minutes per side. Turn the burger only once. Grill quarter- to half-pound burgers over high heat at 500 to 600 degrees for 7 to 12 minutes total, turning once halfway.
Cooking burgers directly from the fridge can cause uneven cooking. Leave them stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before grilling. Different sizes of patties can also lead to different results.
Wait four to five minutes for a crust to form on the meat, which reduces risk of breaking during the flip. Turn the patty and grill 1 to 2 minutes less than the first side. Never press down with a spatula, because that lets the juice out.
Although approximate times help, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature… This is the most reliable way. Put it in the center, the thickest part.
The USDA advises to cook ground beef until 160 degrees for safety.
Cover burgers lightly with foil and leave them rest 5 minutes before serving. The temperature will grow about 5 degrees, you call that carryovercooking.