11 Easy Tips For Cooking Burgers on a Griddle and Our Recipe
Burgers are a universally popular choice for a delicious dinner or cook-out. They can be easily customised with all manner of delicious toppings to make the humble burger a little more special. Furthermore, kids love a hamburger, making them a great option for the whole family. However, it's not always practical to fire up your outdoor grill. Luckily, cooking burgers on a griddle indoors is an easy and tasty option. Read on for our handy guide and our very favourite griddle burger recipe!
Cooking Burgers on a Griddle 101
Can you cook burgers on a griddle?
The simple answer to this question is: yes! Using a griddle is a simple and convenient way to cook a burger in your kitchen. In a pinch, you could also use a skillet or a frying pan if that's what you have to hand.
What about electric griddle?
If you happen to have an electric griddle, there's no reason that this can't be used to cook burgers. In fact, you may find it is actually easier. An electric griddle allows you to achieve an even and constant temperature that is harder to achieve on a regular griddle. This means that your burgers will be cooked evenly throughout. Also, it prevents that age-old problem of a burger that is burnt on the outside but raw on the inside due to an overheated stove-top griddle.
Cooking burgers on a flat top grill
If you're lucky enough to have a flat top grill in your kitchen at home, that's awesome! Go right ahead and grill your burgers on it- it's the perfect tool for the job. Flat top grills are great for cooking burgers because they cook at an even temperature across the grill. Chances are, if you have invested in a flat top grill, you're regularly cooking for a lot of people at once. With lots of burgers o the go at one time, it's especially important to make sure that they have been cooked for long enough before you serve.
What temperature do you cook hamburgers on a griddle?
The lowest temperature that you should consider cooking a burger at is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because, as a meat product, it needs to be cooked through thoroughly to make it safe to eat. Many electric griddles only come with one heat setting, which is usually about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an ideal temperature on which to cook a burger.
What temperature is medium heat on an electric griddle?
This entirely depends on the model that you have in your kitchen. You should check the user manual to find this information as there is a lot of variation between products. As long as your griddle is heated to at least 350 Fahrenheit, then it's fine to cook a burger on it.
What temp should Burgers be?
Before you serve your burgers, it's vital that you cook them to the correct temperature. Uncooked meat can contain harmful bacteria which can make you feel very unwell. Thorough cooking kills and nasty microbes and ensures the meat is safe to eat. Before serving, you should aim to make sure the temperature at the very center of the burger is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, the easiest way to do this is with a meat thermometer.
However, if you don't happen to have a meat thermometer to hand, you can check the burger visually to see if it's cooked through. Make a small incision to the centre of the burger and check that there is no red visible. Also, have a look at the juices that run from the burger. If they are nice and clear, you're good to go. Whilst there are some people who like their burgers served 'rare', we really don't recommend this. When you eat a rare burger, you're taking a risk as there is no guaranteeing that it does not contain harmful bacteria. In particular, never serve a rare burger to children or anyone who has a weakened immune system.
Also, a final word to the wise: never reheat a burger that has gone cold, especially if it has been allowed to cool of gradually. This is a sure-fire way to put yourself at risk for a nasty case of food poisoning.
How long does it take to cook burgers on a griddle?
This depends on how thick your burgers are. If they're a reasonably standard thickness, about 4-5 minutes on each side should do the trick. If you've got very thick burgers, especially those that you've handmade, you may need to add a little extra cooking time. Check the burgers regularly to make sure that they're not burning. If they are, you may need to reduce the heat a little. Remember, before you serve your burgers, you should check they are cooked through no matter how long you cooked them for. Ideally, this would be done with a meat thermometer. Alternatively, check your burgers visually before you give them to people to eat.
How long do I cook thin burgers?
If your burger is thinner, you probably won't need to cook it as long. Around 3 minutes on each side should produce a perfectly-cooked burger. However, as we've mentioned, it's important to check they're properly cooked before you eat them. Don't rely on timing cooking alone to guide you.
What about cooking frozen burgers on a griddle?
You can usually cook burgers from frozen on a griddle, but proceed with caution. Always consult the manufacturer's instructions on the packet, as some frozen burgers cannot be cooked on a griddle and only in the oven. Also, monitor the internal temperature carefully as a frozen burger will, of course, take longer to cook.
The process of cooking a frozen burger is the same as cooking a fresh one. However, you will need to increase the overall cooking time. Around 20-25 minutes of cooking is required to heat the burger through thoroughly. While they cook, flip them every 5 minutes or so to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Cooking turkey burgers on a griddle
Nowadays, many people opt for turkey burgers as they are leaner than a beef patty. This can be a more diet-friendly option. The good news is it's absolutely fine to cook a turkey burger on either a stove-top, flat top or electric griddle. However, there are a few differences in the cooking process for a turkey burger.
What temperature to cook turkey burgers on a griddle?
Turkey is a type of poultry, so it carries a slightly higher risk of salmonella than some other meats. Therefore, it's advisable to cook a turkey burger at a slightly higher heat. Any temperature above 400 degrees Fahrenheit will cook your turkey burger very safely. This is often the standard setting on many electric griddles.
How long to cook turkey burgers on griddle?
As a rule, 5 minutes one each side will ensure your turkey burgers are perfectly cooked and safe to eat. However, this depends on the thickness of your burger and how hot your griddle is. So, don't just rely on the cooking time as an indicator of whether or not the burger is cooked through. The best option is to use a meat thermometer pushed to the center of the burger. If it reads at 165 degrees Fahrenheit or more, your burger is done. Alternatively, make an incision into the burger. If the meat is white (not pink) and the juices run clear, this indicates that it is properly cooked. Never be tempted to eat a turkey burger that is even slightly pink, or it could lead to a nasty case of food poisoning.
How do I keep my burgers flat?
You may have noticed that, when you buy a burger in a restaurant, it usually comes perfectly flat. While this sounds like a minor detail, but it does allow the burger to sit nicely in the bun. This also makes it easier to add toppings without an overflowing situation. We've been doing our research, and it turns out that there is a professional trick to getting this flat effect.
If you want a burger that looks like it was made by a chef, mold the burger so it is thinner in the middle and fatter at the edges. As the middle of the burger will expand more than the edge, this will result in a burger that is an even thickness when cooked. While this may sound far-fetched, this is a tip that really works!
How do you stop burgers from shrinking?
Hamburger shrinkage is an age-old problem. Many of us have experienced a burger that looks just the right size raw, but is too small for the bun once cooked. This shrinkage is mainly down to fat loss as the burger cooks. So, don't be tempted to try to squish your burgers with a spatula as you cook them. This will only force more of the fat out. Instead, make a small hollow (not a hole) with your thumb or finger in the middle of the burger before you cook them. This works in the same way as the method above and will stop your burger from shrinking too much.
On the other hand, if you're trying to lose weight or eat healthily then you may actually prefer the fat to run off your burger. You'll have to decide if a shrunken burger is a price you're willing to pay for less calories overall.
What cut of beef is best for hamburger?
This is a very good question. Chuck meat (from the shoulder) is a cheaper cut that has a good flavour. It also has an ideal fat content, as you want your burger to be around 80% meat and 20% fat. You may be tempted to opt for a tender premium cut such as fillet to make a really luxurious burger. However, this is really not necessary. That's because mincing or grinding the meat will make it nice and tender in any event, so keep the premium cuts for your steaks.
You can either buy it pre-minced in the store, ask a butcher to mince it for you, or grind the beef yourself at home using a mincer. Many chefs specialising in burgers spend a lot of time perfecting their own signature blends. If you're really serious about burgers, you can experiment to find a blend that suits your tastes perfectly. If this sounds like a lot of work, then chuck meat is an easier option that will result in a delicious burger.
Griddle Burger Recipe
This is our favourite recipe for a really simple and delicious burger patty. While there are lots of variations on this, our recipe is perfect for beginners and will cook nicely on a griddle. If you're feeling fancy, you could always add some finely chopped fresh herbs into the mix for some extra flavour. This recipe yields 4 generously-sized burgers.
Ingredients
- 18 ounces of ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small egg
- Cooking oil
- Burger buns, to serve
Method
- 1. Mix the egg, beef and onion together thoroughly. Ideally, use your hands to make sure it is properly combined.
- 2. Split the mix into 4 equal parts. Wet your hands to stop the beef sticking to them.
- 3. Roll each portion of the beef into a ball, and then flatten into a burger just over an inch thick. Make a small indent in the middle with your thumb. Cover the burgers with cling film and place them in the fridge for at least half an hour. This will allow them to firm up. If you don't, they'll fall apart when you cook them.
- 4. Brush the surface of the burgers with a little oil and griddle on a medium/high heat. 4-5 minutes each side should result in a nicely cooked burger. Remember to check it is cooked thoroughly before serving, using a meat thermometer if you have one.
- 5. Serve in a toasted burger bun. You could add some extras such as salad, cheese, relish, or chopped chillies.
The Final Word
Cooking burgers on a griddle is a great way to prepare a meal that is both easy to cook and delicious. Whether your perfect burger is beef or turkey, we hope that we've given you some inspiration to create your own perfect griddle burger recipe!
