Current:Home > ScamsHow long to cook burgers on grill: Temperatures and times to remember. -AssetScope
How long to cook burgers on grill: Temperatures and times to remember.
View
Date:2025-04-13 16:27:25
Hamburgers and hot dogs are a quintessential Fourth of July and summertime barbecue meal. If you've invited lots of family and friends for backyard festivities, it's helpful to have a tasty meal you can whip up in large batches.
Even if you're rushing to throw the patties on before the fireworks begin, it pays to be cautious while grilling. Raw or undercooked beef can contain harmful, illness-causing bacteria. Your patties should be thoroughly cooked.
Ready to get grilling? We've got a handy guide to mastering a delicious burger.
How long does it take to grill burgers?
Whether you're grilling with charcoal, propane or electricity, the key is to bring your meat to the right internal temperature.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends all ground meat be cooked to 160º F to prevent foodborne illness. It's best to use a digital meat thermometer to check if your meat is done, but it generally takes 4 1/2 to 5 minutes per side, according to Allrecipes. Thicker patties take longer to cook.
If you're looking for a different level of "doneness," there are other temperature guidelines you can follow. Cooking under 160º F carries a higher risk of bacteria, but if you let your burgers rest for a few minutes after cooking, the presence of bacteria reduces. It also makes for a more tasty bite because the meat's natural juices can redistribute.
Here are the internal cooking temperatures for each level of doneness, according to the Grass Roots Farmers Co-Op:
- Medium-rare: 135º F
- Medium: 145º F
- Medium-well: 155º F
- Well-done: 160º F
Each of these levels takes a different amount of time to cook. Here's how long you can expect to cook your burger patties, according to Bon Appetit:
- Medium-rare: 6-7 minutes total
- Medium: 7-8 minutes total
- Medium-well: 9 minutes total
- Well-done: 10 minutes total
How to grill corn:Follow this step-by-step guide
How long to grill plant-based burgers
Meatless patties usually have a lower risk of carrying certain bacteria, but that doesn’t mean you should undercook them. If your Beyond Meat isn’t thoroughly cooked, you could consume raw pea protein, which can be difficult to digest, according to Prepared Cooks.
Cook your patties until each side is brown and caramelized on the bottom. It'll take about four minutes per side, according to Beyond Meat.
How to light a charcoal grill
Lighting a charcoal grill is usually easiest with a chimney, a cylindrical device that helps the coals light each other by containing and directing the flow of heat. Some easy-light charcoal can also be lit with matches.
Here's how to get your grill going with a chimney, according to charcoal company Kingsford:
- Fill the chimney with charcoal
- Add kindling, like newspapers or old paper
- Light the kindling and place the chimney on top of it
- Pour out the chimney into the grill after 15-20 minutes when the coals are covered in gray ash.
Kingsford also presents a simple method to light your grill if you don’t have a chimney:
- Pile up the charcoal briquets.
- Add lighter fluid and light the coals (Never squirt lighter fluid onto a flame)
- Wait until coals are mostly covered in gray ash and then spread them out
Are hot dogs good for you?How to choose the healthiest hot dog
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How long to grill chicken breast" to "How to recycle" to "What is the best sunscreen?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
veryGood! (162)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Ex-Illinois deputy shot Sonya Massey out of fear for his life, sheriff's report says
- Algerian boxer will get final word in ridiculous saga by taking home gold or silver medal
- Recreational weed: Marijuana sales begin in Ohio today. Here's what to expect.
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Amit Elor, 20, wins women's wrestling gold after dominant showing at Paris Olympics
- Reese Witherspoon Mourns Death of Her Dog Hank
- Maryland’s Moore joins former US Sen. Elizabeth Dole to help veterans
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Spain vs. Brazil highlights: Brazil holds off comeback, will play for Olympic gold
Ranking
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- 2024 Olympics: Snoop Dogg Delivers Golden Performance for Team USA
- As stock markets plummet, ask yourself: Do you really want Harris running the economy?
- Global stock volatility hits the presidential election, with Trump decrying a ‘Kamala Crash’
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Former national park worker in Mississippi pleads guilty to theft
- Climate Advocates Rally Behind Walz as Harris’ VP Pick
- Panicked about plunging stock market? You can beat Wall Street by playing their own game.
Recommendation
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Ryan Reynolds Hilariously Confronts Blake Lively's Costar Brandon Sklenar Over Suggestive Photo
New York dad learns his 2 teenage daughters died after tracking phones to crash site
It Ends With Us Actress Isabela Ferrer Shares Sweet Way Blake Lively Helped With Her Red Carpet Look
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Jenna Ortega speaks out on age-gap controversy with Martin Freeman in 'Miller's Girl'
As the Paris Olympics wind down, Los Angeles swings into planning for 2028
Indiana’s completion of a 16-year highway extension project is a ‘historic milestone,’ governor says