Burgers are loved by most throughout the world. Everyone loves them. Cooking burgers on a griddle are fun and ensure that you eat delicious burgers. You have different types of burgers. Cheeseburger, hamburger, veggie burger, chicken burger, fish burger, and double patty burger are the other options available in the burger category.
Irrespective of the burger type, the burger’s main feature is the round flat patty inside the bun, which is topped with different sauces. The patty may be grilled, seared, baked, or steamed.
Burgers are great for a cook-out. Unfortunately, cooking outside is not always feasible. Fortunately, we have griddles to help cook burgers indoors.
How are burgers cooked?
The patty of the burger can be cooked in 4 different ways.
Steaming: This method is considered healthy, where the burger is cooked using the heat coming from the steam. This helps to keep the burger moist.
Searing: The burger patty is cooked using a hot surface that is evenly hot. The crust is caramelized, while the inside of the burger is juicy.
Baking: The oven is used for cooking the burger. The oven’s dry heat helps cook the burger by slowly heating the patty surface before reaching its interiors. This way, the patty crust turns dry while the middle part of it remains soft.
Grilling: The direct heat given out by the flames is used for cooking the patty here. A wire grate has the patty on it, which is smoked using charcoal. The patty has high chances of getting burnt here as the heat is inconsistent, and the patty could slip from the grates and get seared in flames.
Why are griddles good for cooking burgers?
If you want to get a tasty burger with less effort, then you must use a griddle. There are many benefits when cooking a burger using a griddle.
Seared patty
The proteins on the patty’s surface turn into a delicious crust when placed on the flattop. The surface is toasty, charred, and browned. You cannot achieve the crispiness that a griddle can offer by using any other grill. A griddle sears the patty perfectly.
Juices locked-in
There are no grates used in griddles. This means the seasoning and the juices from the patty have no chance of escaping when cooked. This makes the burger juicier, unlike the ones cooked using charcoal grills.
Imagine cooking the patty with some seasonings. The flavors will get infused in the patty so well. For example, a caramelized patty in onions, black pepper, and paprika would taste so good.
Steaming
You will find different types of toppings on a burger. These toppings can be streamed on the patty using the griddle. The only thing needed to do this is the basting cover. It will steam the veggies and melt the cheese on top of the patty. Also, The steam will enhance the burger flavors, and the patty will get some moisture.
Smoking
Smoked burgers are unique and taste delicious. These, however, could turn out very dry if using a charcoal grill. But when using a griddle, the patty’s juices will get locked in, and the smoky taste will be just perfect. For this smoke hack, you need a torch, a foil pan, and wooden chips.
Results that are predictable and consistent
Griddles come with six different levels of temperature. This way, you will know how much the patty is getting heated. There will be no surprises like temperature drops and flare-ups.
This is because of the propane in the griddle that forms a heat film below the steel plate. So the patty will not get burnt. So you will not find it raw on one side, with the other side being overcooked. And the crusty party will be delicious.
What is the right temperature for cooking burgers?
One should use a minimum of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking a burger. Meat needs to be cooked well for it to be safe to consume. Most electric griddles come with one heat/temperature setting. This is around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal temperature for a burger to be cooked.
Uncooked meat could be dangerous to one’s health as it could contain harmful bacteria. This could lead to food poisoning. Hence it is essential to cook the meat at the right temperature. This way, harmful microbes are killed. So make sure to check the temperature of the burger center before serving it.
It should be around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. You could check this temperature using a meat thermometer. However, if you do not have one, you could check it by making an incision in the center of the patty. Make sure the meat is not red inside.
Also, if the juices running from the burger are clear, the burger is cooked well and safe. You have to be extra careful when serving burgers to children and people with a weak immune system.
What is the time needed for cooking burgers on a griddle?
The time needed to cook a patty depends on a few things, as I have mentioned below.
Standard Thickness: If the patty thickness is typical, it will take around 4 to 5 minutes to cook on each side. But if your patties are thick, you will need to cook them for a bit longer. Keep checking on the burgers while they get cooked to avoid burning them. If need be, you could reduce the heat.
Thin patties: You may need just 3 minutes to cook them on each side for thinner patties. But, you must check to make sure that it is well cooked before eating or serving it.
Frozen Patties: You can use frozen patties on a griddle. For this, you must refer to the instructions listed by the manufacturer on the packet. You can only cook some frozen patties in an oven rather than on a griddle. Also, since a frozen patty will take more time to cook, keep an eye on the temperature.
Though the cooking method for a frozen and fresh patty is the same, the frozen one will take more time to cook properly. It may take approximately 20 to 25 minutes to cook well. Make sure to flip the patties every 5 minutes to save them from burning.
Tips for cooking burgers on a griddle
- To have juicy, tender hamburgers, use beef that is 80% lean and ground. If it is leaner, the patty will stick to the griddle. It could even turn dry. Also, too much fat in the beef could make the hamburger taste greasy. The meat from the shoulder area, also known as chuck meat, is perfect and has excellent flavor. The fat content in it is also great at 20% fat and 80% meat. Buying tenderloin would be tempting though not essential. Once the meat is minced or ground, it will become tender.
- When you season the meat, make sure to check the gluten and sodium content of the spice products. These two can make the burger unhealthy because they are pro-inflammatory ingredients. You should use salt moderately. If possible, try to use natural spices and herbs like thyme, garlic, pepper, cilantro, lemons, and paprika.
How to clean the griddle after cooking burgers?
The electric griddle cooking surface that is removable should be placed in water mixed with dish soap. You will then need to scrub it clean using a soft cloth. Rinse well. Wipe the other parts of the griddle using a damp cloth. Make sure not to immerse the electrical components of the griddle in the water.
I hope my article on how to cook burgers on a griddle was helpful. You can also check how to cook a steak on a griddle. Are you planning to buy a griddle? You can check the best ones here, including the Wolfgang Puck Griddle.