
There are many factors that determine how long to cook a raw burger on a BBQ, including the desired level of doneness, the thickness of the patty, and the grill temperature. For a 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick patty, a medium-rare burger should be grilled for 2.5 to 3 minutes on each side, or 6 to 7 minutes in total. For a medium burger, grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or 7 to 8 minutes in total. A well-done burger will take 4.5 to 5 minutes on each side, or around 10 minutes in total. It is recommended to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 °F to ensure harmful bacteria are killed.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Rare | 2 minutes per side for 4 minutes total; 125°F |
Medium-rare | 2.5 minutes per side for 5 minutes total; 130°F-135°F |
Medium | 3 to 3.5 minutes per side for 6 to 7 minutes total; 140°F-145°F |
Medium-well | 4 to 4.5 minutes per side for 8 to 9 minutes total; 150°F-155°F |
Well-done | 4.5 to 5 minutes per side for 9 to 10 minutes total; 160°F and up |
What You'll Learn
Rare burgers: 4 minutes total
Rare burgers are cooked quickly, taking just 4 minutes in total on the barbecue. This is because rare burgers are served very undercooked, with a soft red centre. They are completely pink throughout, with an internal temperature of 125°F.
Rare burgers are best made from fresh meat, rather than frozen patties, and it's important to choose quality meat to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Rare burgers are not recommended for children or those with weaker immune systems.
To cook a rare burger, you should aim for 2 minutes on each side. You should also ensure your barbecue is on high heat and has been preheated. It's also important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burger.
Rare burgers are best served with a crispy crust on the outside, and they should be rested for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
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Medium-rare burgers: 5-7 minutes total
To cook a medium-rare burger, you'll need to keep it on the barbecue for 5 to 7 minutes in total. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your patty and the temperature of your grill. For a 1-inch thick patty, you'll need to cook it for 5 minutes in total, whereas a thicker patty will require a little more time. Similarly, a grill temperature of 450° to 500°F will cook a medium-rare burger in 5 minutes, but a lower temperature will take longer.
A medium-rare burger should have an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F. This is the most accurate way to check if your burger is cooked to your liking, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer. If you don't have one, you can also try the finger test. Press a clean finger onto the meat and compare the firmness to the pad of flesh on your hand when you touch your thumb and forefingers together. If the pad feels firmer than the burger, it's likely still rare.
Remember to preheat your grill before you start cooking. You should also oil the grill grates to prevent your burgers from sticking.
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Medium burgers: 6-7 minutes total
To cook raw burgers on a BBQ, you'll need to consider the thickness of the patty, the temperature of the grill, and how well you want the meat cooked. For a medium burger, you're looking at a total cooking time of 6-7 minutes.
First, you'll want to get your grill nice and hot. Aim for a temperature of between 400°F and 500°F. While you're waiting for the grill to heat up, you can shape your burgers. The ideal thickness is between 3/4" and 1". If you go for a thicker patty, you'll need to increase the cooking time.
Once your grill is hot, place the burgers on the BBQ and leave them to cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. Then, flip them and cook for another 3 to 3 1/2 minutes on the other side. This will give you a total cooking time of 6 to 7 minutes, which is what you're aiming for to get a medium burger.
If you want to be extra sure that your burgers are cooked to perfection, you can use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. For a medium burger, you're looking for a temperature of 140°F-145°F.
And that's it! You're ready to serve your medium BBQ burgers.
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Medium-well burgers: 8-9 minutes total
Medium-Well Burgers: 8–9 Minutes Total
If you're aiming for a medium-well burger, you're looking at a total cook time of 8 to 9 minutes. This will give you a burger with a slight bit of pink in the middle and a firm texture.
Temperature and Timing
The ideal internal temperature for a medium-well burger is 150°F–155°F. This is based on a patty that's 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick and grilled at 450°F–500°F.
For a 1-inch thick patty, you'll want to cook each side for 4 to 4.5 minutes. If you're cooking your burger to medium-well, it's a good idea to use a fresh patty rather than a frozen one, but it's not as crucial as it would be for a rare or medium-rare burger.
Checking for Doneness
The most accurate way to check if your burger is done is by using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of the patty. You can also use the finger test as a guide: touch your left thumb and ring fingers together, and the pad of flesh will be roughly the firmness of medium-well meat.
Tips
Remember to preheat your grill to a high temperature before adding your patties. This will help you achieve a nice crust on the outside of your burger and prevent it from drying out.
Also, make sure not to press down on your burger while it's cooking, as this will squeeze out the juices and leave you with a dry, crumbly burger.
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Well-done burgers: 8-10 minutes total
Well-Done Burgers: 8–10 Minutes Total
If you're aiming for a well-done burger, you'll be cooking your patty for 8 to 10 minutes in total. This will give you a burger with a completely browned interior and no pinkness remaining in the meat. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 °F to ensure any harmful bacteria have been killed.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your patty and the temperature of your grill. For a 1-inch thick patty, you'll want to cook it for around 4 to 4.5 minutes on each side. If you're cooking your burger at a lower temperature, it will take longer to develop a crispy crust, and your burger may dry out. Therefore, it's recommended to cook your burgers at a high temperature.
To ensure your burger is cooked to perfection, use an instant-read thermometer to check its internal temperature. A well-done burger should reach an internal temperature of 160 °F or above. Alternatively, you can use the "finger test" to gauge doneness by pressing a clean finger onto the meat and checking its firmness.
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Frequently asked questions
Rare burgers are cooked for 2 minutes on each side, or 4 minutes in total.
Medium-rare burgers should be cooked for between 5 and 7 minutes in total.
Medium burgers should be cooked for between 6 and 7 minutes in total.
Well-done burgers should be cooked for between 8 and 10 minutes in total.