How to Cook Burgers
Americans love to cook burgers! A staple on every backyard grill and an easy-to-cook option for lunches and weeknight dinners, a great burger delivers that big beef flavor everybody loves. But even this go-to favorite can benefit from a bit of cooking know-how. There are so many questions surrounding how to cook burgers — How long do you grill burgers? What is the best grill for burgers? What's the best grill temperature for burgers? What's the optimum burger grill time? Is it okay to cook burgers in the oven? How do you cook burgers on the stove?
Relax! We've figured out the very best ways to cook our classic Kansas City Steak Company® Steakburgers, and we're happy to share what we've learned about how to grill, broil, or even oven-bake the ultimate burger. Follow the instructions below and use a meat thermometer to ensure your burgers hit the correct temperature. Soon you'll be enjoying the perfect burger with the perfect sear — juicy, tender, and cooked just the way you like it!
Due to food safety concerns, the USDA recommends that all ground beef products be cooked to 160°F. The instructions below meet this recommendation and are for well-done burgers.
How to Cook Burgers on the Grill
The quintessential American meal, burgers are ready within minutes, which makes them perfect for busy nights when you want to enjoy a delicious and nourishing meal from the comfort of your home. There are two main methods to grill burgers:
- Charcoal grilling
- Gas grilling
Regardless of which method you choose, be sure your frozen ground beef, pre-made beef patties or Steakburgers are completely thawed before cooking. We recommend thawing in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Once thawed, remove your beef from the refrigerator approximately 30–40 minutes before cooking to allow the burgers to come to room temperature. Lastly, season your burger as desired. For seasonings, we recommend Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning.
How to Cook Burgers on a Charcoal Grill
To cook hamburgers on a charcoal grill, create a high heat zone directly over glowing, ash-covered coals and an indirect heat zone off to the side of the coals. Place burgers over the hottest part of the grill, and sear both sides for 1 minute. Move burgers to indirect heat and continue to grill for 8–10 minutes for ½ thick burger, and 11–13 minutes for a ¾ thick burger.
How to Cook Burgers on a Gas Grill
To cook on a gas grill, preheat the grill to a high heat zone and an indirect or low heat zone. The best way to grill burgers on a gas grill place is by placing them over the hottest part of the grill and searing both sides for 1 minute. Move burgers to indirect heat and continue to grill for 8–10 minutes for ½ thick burger, and 11–13 minutes for a ¾ thick burger.
The best grilled hamburgers don't happen by accident. Follow our pro tips below for delicious, juicy burgers every time.
- Avoid pressing burgers with a spatula when cooking burgers on a gas or charcoal grill. Doing so will release the juices inside and result in a dry burger.
- Lightly cover your burgers with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. The final temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5°F during this time (this is called "carryover cooking"). For well-done burgers (recommended), the final temperature will read 165°F.
- Resting burgers is important because the heat of cooking pulls the juices in the meat toward the surface; if you slice or bite into it immediately after cooking, those flavorful juices will end up on your plate, not in your burger. Allowing your burgers to rest will give the juices time to sink back in and throughout the meat. The result? Moist and flavorful grilled hamburgers!
How to Cook Burgers in the Oven
Cooking burgers in the oven is a simpler way of enjoying them without sacrificing flavor. As with the grilling method, be sure your frozen ground beef, pre-made beef patties or Steakburgers are completely thawed before cooking. We recommend thawing in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Once thawed, remove your beef from the refrigerator approximately 30–40 minutes before cooking to allow the burgers to come to room temperature. Lastly, season your burgers as desired. For seasonings, we recommend Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning.
Set your oven for broil and preheat for 10 minutes.
- Place burgers on the rack of a broiler pan and position the pan in the oven so that the surface of the beef is 3–4 inches from the heat. To enjoy the perfect well-done burgers, broil for approximately 8–11 minutes for ½ thick burger, and 11– 13 minutes for a ¾ thick burger or until internal temperature reaches 160°F. For more options, check out the Measuring Doneness and Cooking Times Chart listed below.
- After removing from the oven, rest your burgers for 5 minutes before serving, covering lightly with foil. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5°F during this time (this is called "carryover cooking"). For well-done burgers in the oven, the final temperature will read 165°F.
- Resting your oven burgers is a crucial step. The heat of cooking brings to the surface the meat juices, meaning that if you bite into it immediately after cooking, those flavorful juices will drip on your plate instead of keeping your burger moist and flavorful. Make sure to allow time for the juices to infuse the meat when making burgers in the oven by allowing them to rest for a couple of minutes.
How to Cook Burgers on the Stove
Cooking burgers on the stove will give the patties a delicious, caramelized sear in a matter of minutes, with minimal preparation.
Before cooking, ensure your frozen ground beef, pre-made beef patties or Steakburgers are completely thawed before cooking. We recommend thawing in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Once thawed, remove your beef from the refrigerator approximately 30–40 minutes before cooking to allow the burgers to come to room temperature. Lastly, season your burgers as desired. For seasonings, we recommend Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning.
For well-done burgers on the stove, follow these steps:
- Heat a heavy non-stick skillet over medium heat until hot, for about 5 minutes. Cooking burgers on the stove in a hot pan is the secret to achieving the best sear.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the skillet, then immediately place burgers in the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd your patties and leave them uncovered.
- For a ½ thick burger cook for 9–11 minutes, and for a ¾ thick burger cook for 14–16 minutes. A thermometer should read 160°F when finished cooking.
- Lightly cover your patties and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5°F during this time (this is called "carryover cooking"). The final temperature will read 165°F.
- Resting burgers is a key determining factor in how flavorful and moist your meat will be. The explanation is simple: the heat of cooking pulls the juices in the meat toward the surface, and if you slice into it too soon after cooking, those flavor-infused juices will spill on your plate. Give your burger time to rest so the juices can sink back in and throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Specialty Burger Cooking
Looking for a little adventure at dinner? While cooking burgers on the grill, in the oven or on the stove are excellent methods, there are new and unique cooking techniques that are sure to provide the juiciness and exceptional flavor you desire. Be sure your ground beef is completely thawed in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Remove the burgers from the refrigerator 30–40 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. Season your burgers to your liking; we recommend using our Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning.
The rich, natural flavor you receive when biting into a smoked burger is unparalleled. Smoking time varies greatly depending on the cut of meat, thickness of the cut, quality of smoker, smoke and smoke retention, wind, etc. We highly recommend using a meat thermometer and base doneness off internal temperature.
Due to food safety concerns, the USDA recommends all ground beef be cooked to at least 160°F.
To begin, fire up your smoker and preheat it to 225°F.
- Place your well-seasoned burger onto the grates of your smoker, close the lid, and smoke until the burgers reach about 155°F.
- For a ½ thick burger cook for 1 hour.
- For a ¾ thick burger cook for 1½ hours.
- Next, preheat a skillet or an outdoor grill over high heat. If using a skillet, once hot, lightly coat the bottom of your skillet with a high smoke point oil such as avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Place the burgers in the skillet or on the grill and sear them for approximately 2 minutes on each side. Cook until the burgers reach 160°F.
- Remove the burgers from the skillet or grill and allow them to rest for 5 minutes, covering lightly with foil. The final internal temperature should read 165°F.
- Resting is important because the heat of cooking pulls the juices in the meat toward the surface; if you slice into it immediately after cooking, those flavorful juices will end up on your plate, not in your burger. Allowing your burgers to rest will give the juices time to sink back in and throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
- To check the final degree of doneness, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of your burgers.
Burger Cooking Times
Select your desired cooking method and follow the recommended cooking times for the best results. To ensure your burgers are cooked to a safe temperature, we suggest you use a meat thermometer and the Measuring Doneness Chart below.
Measuring Doneness for Burgers
Remove when your burgers are 5°F less than the temperature listed.
The centers will continue to warm as they rest.
Well Done Burgers (165ºF)
Burger Recipes
Looking for a specific recipe, marinade, seasoning or rub for Burgers? Check out our most popular Burger Recipes below or click Burger Recipes to view our recipe library.