Back to Basics: How to Cook The Very Best Burger

It’s time for an honest reality check… everyone does not know how to cook Burgers. For you foodies out there and those who are expertly adept in the kitchen, don’t judge as you were there once too!

So, this post is for all of you Burger-making rookies out there.

While there are no rules when making a Burger, there are some basics (pro tips) we think help make the most of a Schweid & Sons Burger. 

What you need to know:

✔️Start with fresh, premium-quality ground beef. It goes without saying (but we’ll say it) that we highly recommend Schweid & Sons!

✔️Salt will be your savior. Pre-made patties from Schweid & Sons (like the C.A.B. Butchers Blend or The Prime Burger) are good on their own but be sure to sprinkle Kosher salt. When do you add salt to your Burgers – before or during cooking? We recommend adding salt to your Burger patty right before it hits the grill or pan to ensure the Burger remains tender. 

✔️Safe Burger patty handling is imperative. The short explanation – don’t overhandle the Burger patty. The less you handle it, the juicier your Burger will be. The more you handle it, the warmth of your hands actually melts the fat content. Remember that more fat equals a juicier Burger.

✔️Stop yourself from over-flipping. Once your Burger is on a medium to high heat source, leave it be. Don’t poke it, push on it, or feel the need to flip multiple times. None of that is necessary (trust us). Cook the side you put it on then just flip once to cook the other side.

✔️Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to cooking Burgers. But don’t cook them for too long. Keep cook times between 5 and 10 minutes on each side, depending on how you like your Burger cooked. Here’s a primer on cooking Burgers to the desired temperature. 

✔️Should you add cheese? That’s a pretty personal question and it’s subjective. But if you choose to add cheese, do it while the Burger is still cooking (after you’ve flipped to cook the second side). Some say the sweet spot is to put the slice of cheese on the Burger when there are 2 minutes of cook time left.

We’ve got plenty more insider tips on cooking Burgers right here. 

Ready to hone your Burger making skills? Start with Schweid & Sons premium patties or ground beef from your local grocer. 

We’ve got great tips for every level of home cook, so make sure you’re signed for our email newsletter!

Show us your Burgers at home by tagging us on Instagram using @schweidandsons or #schweidandsons.