Why put a dimple in a hamburger patty?

To ensure that the meat cooks evenly, make a thumbprint indentation into each patty before it goes on the grill. The indentation helps the patty hold its shape—rather than swelling—as it shrinks during cooking.

Should you dimple your burgers?

Generously season the patties with the salt and pepper on both sides. Use your thumb to make an indentation at the center of the burger (the resulting dimple will help prevent burger shrinkage).

Why do you poke holes in burgers?

Poke a hole in the middle of the patty. This will help the burger cook more evenly and you won't be tempted to overcook it. The hole will close as it cooks. Don't mash the burger down with your spatula as it cooks.

Why do people dimple burgers?

If burgers are cooked on a grill or under a broiler, a dimple is in order. Cooked with these methods, the meat is exposed to direct heat not only from below or above but also on its sides; as a result, the edges of the patty shrink, cinching the hamburger like a belt, compressing its interior up and out.

Do you cook a burger dimple up or down?

Cook them on the non-dimpled side first over direct heat. Once a crust develops, flip them over and cook on the other side. Do not press down on the burger.

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How many times should you flip a burger?

Flip the Burgers Once and Only Once

Constant turning will toughen and dry out the meat, and if you flip too soon, burgers will stick. Cook two minutes per side for rare, three minutes for medium-rare, four minutes for medium, and five minutes for well-done.

How do you keep hamburger patties from puffing up?

Make a thumbprint in the middle of the patty

Using a thumb, make a deep depression in the center of each patty to keep the burger from puffing up and bulging in the center. Otherwise, “It plumps up like a football and people smash it down. That's the last thing you want to do,” Flay said.

How do you keep hamburger patties flat?

Solution: "Flatten the patties by pressing them flat using a burger press. If you don't have a burger press, then try pressing together two plates or two cutting boards to get that flat burger form.

How do you keep a hamburger from shrinking?

How do you indent a burger?

Making an indent in the center of the patty solves this problem because it helps the burger to hold its shape as the meat contracts. After shaping your patty, simply place your thumb in the center and gently press to create an indent.

How long should burgers sit before grilling?

Let the patties sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling to take the chill off.

Why do my burger patties shrink?

Since meat is sold by weight, many grocery stores have been adding water and salt to their ground beef, chicken, and turkey which increases overall profits of the food. When cooking, this water evaporates and yep, you guessed it, the burgers shrink on the grill.

How do you keep burgers moist?

Should you add egg to burgers?

If you're making your own hamburger patties, adding egg to hamburger meat can help hold the meat together for easier cooking. Without the proper binder, the burgers may fall apart in the pan or on the grill.

How do you know when to flip a burger?

Sear the burgers directly over the coals until brown and crispy on the bottom, about four to five minutes. You'll know to flip the patties when you see liquid pooling on the uncooked surface.

What oil should I use for burgers?

Conclusion. Olive oil is the best oil for frying burgers, and it has a high smoke point and can be heated quickly past that point. If you can't find any other type of oil for frying burgers, you should use non-stick cookware.

Do I Put breadcrumbs in hamburgers?

Breadcrumbs] are not usually included in the traditional burger patty mixture, but their addition to this recipe helps to give the cooked patties a lighter, more tender texture. The egg acts as a binding ingredient so that the patties can be easily shaped. It also helps them hold together when cooked.

Which ground beef is best for hamburgers?

80/20 Ground Chuck Is Best for Burgers

The best ground beef to buy for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck – 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is ground from the shoulder and has that ideal lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 (i.e. not too lean) for a super flavorful, juicy burger.

How long to let burgers rest after cooking?

“When you cook hamburgers, never push down, because you'll be draining out flavorful juices,” Gallo says. Let the cooked patties rest on a clean platter for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Use a meat thermometer. To be sure you destroy bacteria that can make you sick, cook hamburgers to 160° F.

Should you salt burgers before grilling?

Salt removes water from and dissolves some of the meat proteins, causing them to bind the insoluble proteins together—something good for the springy bite to sausages, not for a tender burger. So wait to salt your burgers until just before they hit the pan or grill.

How do you tell if a burger is done without a thermometer?

Go in at an angle in the middle of the cut, wait for a second, and then touch the tester to your wrist. If it's cold, the meat is raw. If it's warm—close to your body temperature—then the meat is medium rare. If it's hot, it's well done.

Why are my hamburgers dry?

If you're making burgers from scratch, you may have run into this issue before, but fortunately it's easy to avoid. According to Eat This, Not That, the main reason burgers dry out is simply that they're overcooked. This typically occurs when you cook the patties straight out of the fridge, or worse, the freezer.

How do I keep my 80/20 burgers from shrinking?

To keep burgers from shrinking when cooked, use 80/20 ground meat. Shape the patties to be wider than your buns, since they'll shrink by up to 25% during cooking, and make a small indent at the center that prevents them from puffing up.

What temperature do you cook hamburgers at?

When grilling burgers, you want the grill temperature to be around medium-high to high heat, which is around 375 to 400 degrees F. Many gas grills have built in thermometers, but often they tend to be not super reliable.