Making burgers is both skill and practice, with the right equipment playing a significant support role. The ultimate go-to equipment choice when preparing the juiciest and crispy smash burgers is a griddle. It’s time to talk about making the ultimate griddled burger to elevate the temperature, and burger cooking technique and mastery required to perfect a griddled burger.
Having a large, flat cooking surface is one of the major advantages to cooking burgers on a griddle. Unlike a traditional grill, heat is equally transmitted across the cooking surface, offering even more temperature control and RC. It’s no wonder border-line burger aficionados and professional chefs prefer this cooking method, especially for smash burgers, when a good high heat is required.
Preparing your Griddle
Temperature Is The Key
Getting the temperature on your griddle right is vital to making your perfect burger. Warmup time, along with the temperature range is a perfect blend for crustiness and even cooking. About 350°F to 400°F (177°C to 204°C) should get the grill balanced. If you are cooking smash burgers, the higher range is a good choice to get the crispy bite you are going for.
Preheating the Griddle
Preheating your griddle should take approximately 10-15 minutes before starting the actual cooking. This step is important because the whole cooking surface is evenly heated. You can use a thermometer to check the surface temperature to see if you are at the desired temperature range.
Creating the Perfect Patty
Choosing the Right Meat
The taste and texture of your burger are greatly influenced by the meat you use. Look for an 80/20 ground beef mix because it’s a good mix of fat and meat which gives you the perfect ratio for a juicy and flavorful burger. This mixture is good at keeping the burger moist and giving a delicious and rich taste.
How to Make the Patties
When forming your patties, be sure to make them the same thickness so they’ll cook evenly. A burger press can be used to make the patties and is a good option for consistency. For smash burgers in particular, you may want to make them a bit thinner so it’s easier to smash them.
Cooking Instructions
Cooking the burgers on the griddle is simple. Season the balls of meat and place them on the heated griddle one at a time. Using a sturdy spatula, press the meat down firmly to make a thin patty. This process is important because it causes the Maillard reaction which creates a flavorful crust on the patty.
On one side, cook the burger for approximately 2-3 minutes before flipping and cooking for an extra 1-2 minutes. Cooking the burger for a short period of time helps with keeping the inside juicy along with keeping the outer layer nice and crisp.
For classic burgers, once the griddle is pre-heated, place the patty on an unbothered cooking surface for 3-4 minutes. Flip the patty and cook for another 3-4 minutes. A great way to tell if the burger is done is by using a meat thermometer. For safety, the meat needs to cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F (71° C).
The best cooked burgers are toppings that are meningless to the burgers. You can start with some cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. For a touch of gourmet cooking try some sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even some slices of avocado.
In terms of buns, go for potato rolls or brioche, freshly baked and lightly toasted on the griddle for extra crunchiness and flavor.
Dressings
There are many options for sauces to put on burgers. Some condiments are aioli, barbecue, and spicy mustard to use on burgers. One of the best tips for eating burgers is finding sauces that complement the patty to find the best taste combo for your burger.
Cooking Advice
No Drier Burgers
One of the biggest and most common problems people face is overcooking the patty. With smash burgers, they cook quickly, so look down and watch the patty and try to manage the time so it’s not overcooked.
Grill Temperature Control
If your griddle is behaving oddly and is showing signs of uneven temperatures, try assessing the heat of the griddle with an infrared thermometer. You should be able to make the correct adjustments needed with that.
Your Griddle Burger Journey
To make the ultimate burger is rewarding and is an enjoyable use of time. With the right knowledge and enough practice, it is possible to make an amazing burger that has mouth-watering toppings and is grilled to perfection.
Making your amazing classic hamburgers or delicious smash burgers, a griddle can increase your ability to make a great meal. With these tips, you are ready to make great burgers that will leave a memory with anyone who eats it.
Enjoy and cook with a smile.