Grilling juicy, flavorful beef patties to absolute perfection is an art With the right technique, a simple burger can become a sublime experience. However, under or overcooking can ruin a patty quicker than you can flip it So how long should beef patties spend sizzling on the grill? Read on for a complete guide to nailing the ideal cooking times and temperatures for burgers of all doneness levels.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
Several key factors determine how long you should grill beef patties:
Patty Thickness
Thinner patties cook faster than thicker ones. Aim for patties 1⁄2-inch to 1-inch thick. Very thin patties may overcook quickly while 2-inch slabs will likely remain raw inside unless cooked low and slow. For average 1⁄2 to 1-inch thick patties, plan for 2-4 minutes per side over direct high heat.
Grill Temperature
Cooking times vary based on your grill’s temperature. Preheat gas grills to 400-450°F and prepare intense direct zone heat on a charcoal grill. High heat sears the exterior for flavor while cooking the interior evenly. Low heat leads to unevenly cooked, lackluster burgers.
Desired Doneness
Rare patties need less time on the grill than well-done. Know the recommended grill times and internal temperatures for each doneness level. Pull burgers when they reach your desired temp.
Patty Composition
Homemade beef patties often cook faster than pre-formed frozen patties due to differences in fat content and density. Lean, compact patties may cook more rapidly than fattier blends. Get to know how your custom blend grills.
Grill Type
Charcoal and gas grills produce different levels of heat. You may need to adjust cooking times depending on which you use. Typically, charcoal’s intense infrared heat sears faster than gas, potentially reducing cook times slightly.
Cooking Time Guidelines
Use these grill times as a starting point for 1⁄2 to 1-inch thick patties:
- Rare: 2-4 minutes per side, 5 minutes total
- Medium-Rare: 4-5 minutes per side, 6-8 minutes total
- Medium: 5-6 minutes per side, 8-10 minutes total
- Medium-Well: 6 minutes per side, 10-12 minutes total
- Well-Done: 6-7 minutes per side, 12-14+ minutes total
Rare patties may take only 2-3 minutes total over very high charcoal heat. Well-done frozen patties often require 16-18+ minutes total over moderate gas heat. Monitor thickness, grill temp and doneness to customize times as needed.
Target Internal Temperatures
Regardless of timings, always grill to proper internal temperatures:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium-Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-150°F
- Medium-Well: 155-160°F
- Well-Done: 165°F+
Use an instant read thermometer to check patties. undercooking ground beef significantly increases foodborne illness risks.
Step-By-Step Grilling Times for Perfect Patties
Follow these simple steps for grilling beef patties with foolproof timing:
1. Shape Patties
Form 1⁄2 to 1-inch thick patties for optimal cooking. Use 3-4 ounces of beef per patty. Lightly dimple the center to prevent puffing.
2. Prepare the Grill
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to at least 400°F. Clean and lightly oil the grates. Over direct high heat works best.
3. Cook 2-4 Minutes Per Side
Place patties over direct heat. Resist pressing burgers. Flip every 2-4 minutes for grill marks. Cook to 5-6 minutes total for rare.
4. Check Internal Temperature
Test patties with an instant read thermometer 2-4 minutes in. Cook longer if needed until reaching your target temp.
5. Rest and Serve
After grilling, let patties rest 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving. Dig in and enjoy!
Grilling Tips for Perfectly Cooked Patties
Grilling beef patties like a pro takes some finesse. Keep these tips in mind:
- Grill over direct high heat for sear marks and even cooking.
- Flip patties gently every 2-4 minutes; do not press down.
- Use an instant read thermometer for precise doneness.
- Let patties rest 3-5 minutes before serving for juiciness.
- Adjust times based on thickness, grill temp, doneness preferences.
- For food safety, cook burgers to at least medium or 160°F.
With the right prep, temperature control and cook times, you can achieve the perfect level of doneness on your beef patties every time. Master the art of grilling burgers and enjoy!
How Long To Grill Burgers
The size of the burger patty and the temperature of the grill affect the amount of minutes a hamburger takes to reach the sought-after temperature, so keep in mind that these are estimates!
The times below are based on a 1-inch thick patty that is four inches in diameter and grilled at 450° to 500°F.
- For a rare burger, cook for 2 minutes per side for 4 minutes total.
- For a medium-rare burger, cook for 2 minutes and thirty seconds per side for 5 minutes total.
- For a medium burger, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes per side for 6 to 7 minutes total.
- For a well-done burger, cook for 4 to 4 1/2 minutes per side for 8 to 9 minutes total.
Flip (Don’t Press!) Your Burgers
Once you put those patties on the grill, don’t press them down. Pressing forces the fat and flavor out of the burgers, which results in dry, bland patties.
However, feel free to frequently flip your burgers. Raichlen once believed it was best to let the burger be and only flip once during cooking, but he has since changed his tune and cites research that says frequent flipping cooks a burger more evenly.
How Long To Grill Burgers (Gas Grill)
FAQ
How long to grill beef patties on grill?
Medium-Rare: Grill burgers for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per side. Look for 130-135 degrees F on the thermometer reading. Medium: Grill for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side, or until 140-145 degrees F. Medium Well/Well Done: 4 1/2 to 5 minutes per side, or until 155-160 degrees F.
How long do you cook beef patties on each side?
- Rare: About two minutes per side.
- Medium-rare: About three minutes per side.
- Medium: Three to four minutes per side.
- Medium-well: About four minutes per side.
- Well done: Four to five minutes per side.
What is the 5 6 7 rule for burgers?
How long to cook burgers at 400 degrees?
- Oven Baked: 20-30 minutes. Monitor the burgers and adjust cooking time based on your desired level of doneness.
- Medium-Rare: Around 20 minutes.
- Medium: Around 25 minutes.
- Well-Done: Around 30 minutes.
- Thickness: Thicker patties will take longer to cook through.