Perfect grilled burgers are easier than you might think. Use the right fat to lean beef ratio, don’t flip before it’s time, and watch the temperature.
Burger Cooking Tips
- Your burger patties will shrink slightly, so make them wider than the buns.
- Making a depression in the center of the burgers prevents them from swelling in the center.
- If you decide to pan-grill the burgers, use a cast iron pan brushed with a neutral flavor oil, such as canola or high-heat safflower or sunflower oil.
- Use an instant-read thermometer if possible. A medium burger will take roughly 8 minutes, medium-well 9 minutes, and well-done, 10 to 11 minutes.
- The higher fat content of 80% beef ensures a juicy, flavorful burger.
Grilled Burgers With Chipotle Aioli
Perfectly grilled burgers are easy to make on a gas or charcoal grill or grill pan. The chipotle aioli is the perfect finishing touch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Ground Beef, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds 80% ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- 4 to 8 slices cheese (American, Muenster, Mozzarella, or Cheddar)
- Optional Toppings: tomatoes, lettuce, hamburger dills, peppers, etc.
For the Chipotle Sauce/Aioli
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced chipotle pepper (from a can, with some sauce)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
For the Aioli
- Use a chef’s knife to scrape and press the pressed garlic to make a paste.
- Put the garlic in a bowl with the mayonnaise, onion powder, salt, pepper, chipotle pepper, and lime juice; mix well and set aside.
For the Burgers
- Heat a grill on high for 10 minutes.
- While the grill is heating, divide the ground beef into four 6-ounce portions. Shape the portions into patties. With your thumb, make a depression in the center of each burger.
- Season the patties on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the burgers on the grill grate and let them cook over direct heat without flipping for about 4 to 5 minutes. They are ready to flip when they release easily from the grill grate.
- Flip the patties and continue cooking, undisturbed, for 4 to 5 minutes longer.
- Place cheese slices on the burgers about 1 minute before the burgers are done. The USDA recommends a minimum safe temperature of 160 F (well done). If you prefer medium, cook them to 145 F.
- Serve the burgers on toasted buns with the aioli and toppings.
Notes
The nutritional analysis includes cheese, buns, and aioli.
