Introduction

Hamburger is the most popular meat in the United States. It’s inexpensive, versatile, and easy to cook. It can be pan-fried, baked or grilled—the latter is my favorite method because it gives the burger its signature char marks. But how long should you cook a hamburger on the grill? The answer depends on how well done you want it:

Hamburger patty is cooked for about 3 minutes on a preheated grill.

To cook a hamburger patty on the grill, you’ll need:

• A clean and oiled grill. You can use vegetable oil or bacon grease if you have it handy, but vegetable oil is usually easier to find at most grocery stores. Just be sure not to use too much–you don’t want any excess fat dripping into your food!
• Formed meat patties (3-4 ounces each) that are well seasoned with salt and pepper before cooking them on the hot surface of your grill. Make sure they’re nice and dry so they won’t splatter when placed over heat; this makes cleanup easier afterward too! If there’s room in your fridge, place them right inside after forming them into shape so everything firms up nicely without getting soggy from condensation forming inside plastic wrap containers (or whatever container system works best for storing leftovers).

The burger’s color should be a nice brown but not burnt.

The burger’s color should be a nice brown but not burnt. The interior should be cooked through, but not charred. It should also still be juicy and not raw in the middle.

Take a look at the juices and the way the meat feels when cooked.

You want to make sure that your hamburger is cooked through, but you also don’t want it to be over-cooked. Take a look at the juices and the way the meat feels when cooked. The juices should be clear and runny, not pink or red. If your beef patty is still red in its center after cooking, cook it for another minute or two before checking again–you don’t want to end up with an overcooked burger!

If this method still doesn’t seem right for you, try using an instant-read thermometer instead (like this one). It will give you an accurate reading of whether or not your burger has reached its ideal temperature without having to poke through layers of fat and gristle (eww).

A good rule of thumb is 2 minutes per side (4 minutes total) for medium rare, 3 minutes per side (6 minutes total) for medium, and 4 minutes per side (8 minutes total) for well done hamburgers.

The best way to tell if a hamburger is cooked through is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the probe into the center of the patty, being careful not to touch bone or fat (which will give you a false reading). The internal temperature should be at least 155 degrees Fahrenheit for medium rare, 160 degrees F for medium and 165 degrees F for well done. If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer handy or want more information on how long it takes your grill and type of meat, check out this chart from Food Network:

Conclusion

The best way to cook a hamburger on the grill is to use a thermometer and check its temperature. The best way to cook a hamburger in the oven is also with a thermometer. You can also use your hands as an indicator of doneness; if the meat feels firm, like an egg when it’s hard-boiled, then it’s done cooking.