Beef
How Long to Cook Burgers
A ¾-inch burger patty takes 3–4 min per side on a hot grill or skillet for medium. Cook to 160°F internal for food safety.
Reference size: ¾-inch thick patty (4–6 oz)
Safe Internal Temperature
160°F / 71°C (USDA safe for ground beef)
Doneness Guide
| Doneness | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Medium-Well (pink centre) | 150–155°F / 65–68°C |
| Well Done (no pink) | 160°F+ / 71°C (USDA recommended for ground beef) |
Cooking Times by Method
| Method | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Grill | Medium-high (400°F) | Medium: 3–4 min/side | Well-done: 4–5 min/side |
| Stovetop | Medium-high heat (cast iron) | Medium: 3–4 min/side | Well-done: 4–5 min/side |
| Oven | 375°F / 190°C | 20–25 minutes (flip halfway) |
| Air Fryer | 370°F / 188°C | 8–10 minutes (flip at 5 min) |
| Broil | Broil on high | 4–5 minutes per side |
Grill: Don't press! Pressing squeezes out juices. Flip only once.
Stovetop: Cast iron gives the best crust. Add cheese in last minute, cover to melt.
Oven: For cooking many burgers at once. Doesn't give as good a crust as direct heat.
Air Fryer: Very reliable method. Add cheese in last 1–2 minutes.
Broil: Place rack 4 inches from broiler. Watch carefully.
Chef Tips
- 1Don't overwork the meat — mix only until combined or you get a dense, tough burger.
- 2Make a small indentation in the centre of the raw patty — this prevents the burger from puffing up into a dome.
- 3Season only on the outside just before cooking — mixing salt in draws out moisture.
- 4Ground beef burgers must reach 160°F for food safety (unlike whole-muscle steak which can be eaten rare).
- 5Add a slice of cheese immediately when you flip the burger and cover with a lid for 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to cook burgers on the grill?
On a medium-high grill (400°F): ¾-inch patty takes 3–4 minutes per side for medium (165°F for safety with ground beef). ½-inch patties: 2–3 min/side. Don't press down — it squeezes out all the juices.
What temperature do burgers need to be cooked to?
USDA recommends cooking ground beef burgers to 160°F for food safety. Unlike whole-cut steak, ground beef mixes surface bacteria throughout the meat when ground, so 160°F throughout is the safe target.
How long to cook burgers in air fryer?
At 370°F: 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway at 5 minutes. This will give you a medium to well-done burger. Add cheese in the last 1–2 minutes. Great for a clean kitchen cook.
How do I make a juicy burger?
Use 80/20 ground beef (80% lean/20% fat — the fat is the juice). Don't overwork the meat. Make a ½-inch indentation in the centre. Season only the outside. Don't press down while cooking. Let rest 2 minutes.