Tips for Grilling the Perfect Burger

Grilling season is here and that means burgers are sure to be part of your weeknight meal planning or part of your weekend entertaining.  Up your grilling game by following these tips for grilling the perfect burger every time!  Get the most flavor out of your burgers by following these tips for epic burgers.

Take advantage of the HOT deals on ground beef and McCormick Grill Mates seasoning blends at Safeway to make delicious burgers this weekend.

Choose the Right Meat

For the most flavorful burger, you want to choose ground beef that is no leaner than 85%.  Meat with a higher fat content will be juicier and more flavorful. While you may think that lower-fat will yield a “skinny” burger, really all it does is yield a dry, tasteless burger.  Stick with 80% or 85% lean and you’ll win every time!  But be aware, patties from higher fat meat will shrink more when they cook, so you’ll need to shape them the right size to fit the bun.

Safeway has 80% lean ground beef on sale for just $2.97/lb. for the value pack this week – perfect price for perfect burgers!

Maximize Burger Flavor

Up your burger game by adding flavor to your meat before grilling.  While condiments help provide flavor after the burger is grilled, adding flavor to the meat before it’s grilled ensures a perfectly flavorful and delicious burger every time.  Fresh herbs, dried spices, and diced onions are all great flavor enhancers.  You can also try adding BBQ sauce and liquid marinades for extra juiciness and flavor.

I love to use McCormick Grill Mates to impart epic flavors in my burgers.  Choose from smoky, sweet, spicy, zesty or savory flavors with the delicious seasoning blends.  Two of the more popular seasoning blends for burgers are the Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning, which has a robust blend of coarsely ground peppers, garlic, and spices for bolder tasting steaks and burgers.

Additionally, the Grill Mates Hamburger Seasoning has a savory blend of coarsely ground peppers, toasted onion, and garlic for bolder, juicier burgers.  You can see the dried pepper, onion and garlic pieces in the mix and taste it in every bite!

Pick up McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning blends for just $1.99 with a Just for U Digital Coupon at Safeway for perfectly seasoned burgers every time!

 

Shape the patties larger than the bun

The burgers will shrink on the grill, so you want to be sure that you are left with a burger that fits the bun. Shape the raw patties to be slightly larger than the bun. You also don’t want the patties to be too thin or too fat. Too fat, and the outside will char before the inside cooks. Too thin, and the patty will lose too much moisture, becoming dry fast.  Don’t over mix the meat because that will result in the burgers falling apart on the grill.  Mix the seasonings just until blended then shape your patties.

We like to shape ours into 4-inch rounds that are about 1/2-inch thick. The beef will plump slightly as it cooks.  I also like to make a thumb-size indentation in each patty before grilling and this helps prevent the patties from bulging in the center while grilling.

Heat the grill before you add the patties

Burgers are best cooked over medium heat. A gas grill will fire up relatively quickly. But if you’re using a charcoal grill, it’s a bit trickier to tell since it takes some time for the charcoal to catch fire and the kettle to warm up.

Gauge the temperature of your grill by following this simple trick: Hold your hand about 4 inches above the coals. If you can keep it there for 4 to 5 seconds  the grill’s heat is medium.

Always clean the grates before you grill and if you are using higher fat meat, there is no need to oil the grates before grilling because the juices in the patty will keep the burger from sticking to the grill.

 

Grilling a Juicy Burger Every Time

Avoid pressing down on the patties while they cook.  This squeezes out all the delicious juices onto the grill below and results in an extremely dry burger. Trust me, no one wants a dry burger, leave those juices in the meat!

Test the burgers for doneness with a meat thermometer that you insert into the center of the burger horizontally through the side of the patty.  The meat should be 160 degrees for a perfectly cooked burger.

Let the burger rest for a few minutes before slicing or taking a bite.  This ensures the juices get evenly distributed through the burger so you get a juicy bite every time.

For additional grilling tips and tricks, be sure to visit the McCormick Grilling Tips Guide as well as the Ultimate Beef Prep Guide for perfectly grilled meat, seafood and veggies all summer long.

Check out 4 delicious recipes for a perfectly grilled burger, courtesy of our friends at McCormick:

Mushroom and Swiss Stuffed Burgers

Sautéed mushrooms and onion with a little Swiss cheese are stuffed in hamburger patties to create an exciting twist on a classic flavor combo!  Get the recipe here.

 

Philly Style Cheesesteak Burger

For the taste of a Philly cheesesteak in a burger, serve the burger topped with melted provolone cheese and grilled onions and green bell peppers.  Get the printable recipe here.

The Works Steak Burger

For epic burger flavor, look no further than Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning. The signature blend of McCormick® black pepper, garlic and seasonings will make this a new griller favorite.  Get the recipe here.

Zesty Montreal Steak Burger

Short on time? Make a mean burger with zesty flavor in under 20 minutes. Mix in Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning for bold flavor and French’s Yellow Mustard for a tangy finish. Grill it up and top it off with Crispy Fried Onions for the perfect crunch in every bite.  Get the recipe here.

Sale on Ground Beef and McCormick Grill Mates at Safeway

McCormick Grill Mates seasoning blends are available in the spice aisle at your local Safeway.  There are over 15 seasoning blends and even more Grill Mates marinades available for all your grilling needs.

Take advantage of the hot deals on Safeway 80% lean ground beef – just $2.97/lb. for the value pack or $3.97/lb. for the 1 pound + packs and McCormick Grill Mates to make perfect burgers full of juicy flavor for your friends and family this summer.

• McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning 2.5-3.5 oz. on sale for $2.49 through June 11th
  • Download the $.50 off 1 Grill Mates Just for U digital coupon
  • Final price=$1.99

Be sure to pin this post and recipes to your Pinterest account for easy access later.  If you make any of these recipes, be sure to tag SuperSafeway on our Instagram channel.  We love to see what you are making with the hot deals from Safeway!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of McCormick to highlight various ways Grill Mates seasoning blends can be used to make epic burgers.  The burger recipe images above are used with permission from McCormick.  As always, opinions are my own.  We appreciate and encourage your support of the brands that make this site possible.

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* Please note – Savings information is based on Colorado pricing and the Safeway Coupon Policy for the Denver Division which includes Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Your market may vary. Prices may vary per location*