A Guide to Making Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers on the Grill
Can’t decide what to do for dinner tonight? Throwing an end-of-summer party? While Freddy’s offers burger bar catering and an extensive menu of steakburgers and other tasty selections for dine-in, carry out and delivery, grilling homemade burgers is also a perfect menu idea for these occasions and many others. To make sure that your next batch of cheeseburgers on the grill is the most delicious one yet, explore the nuances of common burger grilling queries below, as well as some of the best cheeseburger grilling tips!
Perfecting Your Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers on the Grill
Figuring out how to grill the perfect hamburger, or many other interesting things to grill, often involves some trial and error. To supplement any discussions of the best burger grilling tips with fellow barbecue enthusiasts or the ones you’ve found in various recipes, we explore some key questions about burger grilling below and why some of these questions may have more than one possible answer!
When should seasoning be added?
Timing burger seasoning is a common point of debate, especially when it comes to salt! To avoid drying out the patties, many burger makers encourage saving the salt until just before putting the patties on the grill. In addition to sprinkles of salt and pepper, blends of various seasonings are sometimes used on or in different types of burgers to further elevate their flavor. For example, Freddy’s steakburgers and other dishes often feature Freddy’s Famous Steakburger and Fry Seasoning® – a mixture that our guests enjoy so much that we also offer it for purchase by the bottle!
Should the grill lid be open or closed?
During hamburger cooking time on the grill, the lid will likely be in both positions at some point, though the duration and purpose may vary. For example, a closed lid is often recommended for thicker burgers, as it helps ensure even cooking. However, as Tasting Table explains, this approach may not work best for certain types of burgers, such as thinner patties. Lid position also matters when making cheeseburgers on the grill.
How long does it take to cook a hamburger on the grill?
Bon Appétit provides timing estimates for how long to cook hamburgers on the grill for various levels of doneness. However, as reiterated in this guide, how long it takes to cook a medium-rare burger, for example, can depend on several factors, such as patty thickness. Therefore, skip setting an alarm or timer and use a food thermometer, as it is the best way to confirm that a burger has reached the desired doneness and the corresponding internal temperature (as recommended by the USDA).
Bonus Cheeseburger Grilling Tips
Whether transforming a beef patty, turkey patty or any other type of burger patty into a cheeseburger, this magical process often takes place at the very end of grilling time. As with grilling a burger in general, the exact timing and approach may vary depending on the type of cheese being used and other factors. An herb cheese spread, for example, is typically applied to the toasted bun instead of placed on the burger to melt. However, for some of the more common cheese choices like American cheese or cheddar, here are three general tips to keep in mind:
Use thinner, similarly sized pieces of cheese for even patty coverage and quicker melting. Its coverage and ease of melting contribute to why American cheese is often considered one of the best cheeses for burgers.
Add the cheese in the final minute or so. If you are wondering when to add the cheese to the burger while grilling, this step is often done at the last minute. You want just enough time to achieve the melty gooeyness but not lose it through the grates!
Close the lid! Once you place that slice of cheese on the burger, the final countdown is on. This lid position is a frequently recommended method to help the cheese melt faster without overcooking the burger.
Perfecting cheeseburgers on the grill is quite a feat and sure to impress your fellow diners. At the Freddy’s near you, we similarly aim to ensure our guests’ happiness with made-to-order steakburgers, whether they prefer a classic cheeseburger like the Freddy’s Original Double or the creative mashup of the Grilled Cheese Steakburger. Please place your next order today via the Freddy’s app (available on Google Play or the App Store) or on site at one of the 580 Freddy’s restaurants in operation!