Delicious & Juicy Grilled Hamburgers

Want to make the most delicious and juicy grilled hamburgers for dinner tonight?  Then read on…. It really isn’t difficult to grill the perfect burger.  It’s all about the ingredients and technique.  The problem that most people run into when grilling burgers is they tend to over think things and put far too much work into something that is actually quite easy.  It is best to keep things pure and simple.

The following recipe and instructions will serve 4 people.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Canola oil
4 hamburger buns

Step 1 - Choose The Beef

The very first step is to choose the right kind of ground beef.  As indicated in the ingredients above, I recommend ground chuck.  I have tried a variety of different ground meats and the one that I find produces the tastiest burgers is good old ground chuck with a ratio of 80/20 (80 % lean, 20 % fat).

I know that isn’t the healthiest ratio you can use, but it sure is the tastiest.  You are welcome to go for the 93 % lean, but I warn you….you will have a very dry and tasteless burger.  The leaner burgers also tend to fall apart easier in my experience.

Step 2 - Shape the Burgers

Divide the ground chuck into 4 equal portions (about 6 to 7 ounces) and gently shape them into patties roughly 1/2 inch thick or so.  Now using your thumb, push down into the center of the burger forming a well.  Why the well you ask?  Ever notice when you cook burgers, they sometimes swell up and lose their form?  Usually when this happens, the first instinct is to push down on the burger with a spatula and their goes all that juicy flavor!  The well in the center of the burger, will prevent this from happening.

Season The Burgers

This is the part where people go overboard and put all sorts of superfluous seasonings on their hamburgers. I have seen recipes calling for onion powder, cajun seasoning, lemon-pepper, you name it.  Don’t be tempted to do this.  All your burger needs is a little kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper.  Let the flavor of the beef shine through!  After you season the hamburgers, brush them with a little canola oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill.

Let’s Start Grilling

After your grill is nice and hot,  place the patties on and allow them to sear.  You want them to form a nice crust. It should only take 3-4 minutes or so.  Flip them over gently and grill on the other side for another 3-4 minutes.  Only flip your burgers once.  Do not be tempted to flip them more than that or to press down on them with your spatula.  The more you handle your hamburgers, the less juicy they will be.

Fixin’s

There are almost an endless amount of things you can top your burger with.  Everything from onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.  The choices are endless and it really is up to you.  I like my burger with thinly sliced raw red onion, lettuce, tomato and ketchup.  Use your imagination and enjoy!