Curious about how to grill the perfect burger? Look no further UW Provision has got you covered! With Labor Day weekend right around the corner and grilling season still in full swing now is the perfect time to learn how to wow your guests at your next cookout with an absolutely mouth-watering burger.

First, you want to stop by either of our retail locations The Meat Market or Local Source Foods, and purchase some ground beef or some of our pre-made burgers. To make the perfect burger on the grill please follow these cooking tips:

Prepare the Grill

Heat up your grill between 450 – 650°F (high heat). Make sure when placing your burgers on the grill they are right above the coals or the gas burner.

Form Burgers

If you purchased ground beef, form the ground beef into 3/4- inch thick patties. If the burger is any thinner you can run the risk of it breaking apart or dry out while it’s cooking on the grill. If the burger is any thicker you can run the risk of a raw burger where it’s overcooked on the outside but still raw in the middle.

Press Into the Burgers

To start just sprinkle some kosher salt on your burgers before grilling. Don’t worry seasoning with salt will not dry out the burger because there is not enough salt or time to start drawing out moisture in the burger. Instead salt will enhance the burgers’ natural flavors.

Place your patties on the grill for 3 minutes. Remember to place your patties directly above the heat source to get the best result. Try not to touch the cooking burgers for the entire 3 minutes, this will allow the burger to carmelize and give the burger the desired grill marks. This will also help reduce sticking when trying to move the burger. If you experience any flare-ups while cooking close the lid and vents of your grill for 10 – 15 seconds if you are using a charcoal grill. If you are using a gas grill carefully move the patties to a different area over the heat source. After the 3 minutes are up flip your burgers and grill to an internal temperature of 135 – 150°F which takes about another 5 minutes. The result should be a juicy, medium-cooked burger. If you experience any new flare-ups within that 5 minutes repeat the necessary steps listed above.

Let Your Burgers Rest

Take your burgers off the grill and cover them with aluminum foil. You should let them rest like that for about 5 minutes and then serve. This step is one of the most important because letting the burgers still will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the burger rather than all of the juices sitting in the middle.

Source