Importance Score: 42 / 100 🔵
Gordon Ramsay’s Guide to Perfect Barbecue Burgers
As the season for outdoor cooking approaches, many are planning barbecues and eager to grill perfect burgers. Avoid common grilling pitfalls with expert advice from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Discover how to prepare delicious barbecue burgers and impress your guests this spring and summer, by learning to sidestep frequent mistakes that can ruin your grilling experience. Ramsay’s simple yet effective techniques will help you achieve delicious burgers every time you fire up the barbecue.
Prepare Burgers in Advance and Chill
In a video demonstration, renowned chef Gordon Ramsay shares his method for crafting exceptional burgers. He begins by seasoning beef patties and incorporating an egg. Ramsay recommends preparing the burger patties a day in advance. Chilling them in the refrigerator firms them up, preventing disintegration on the grill. This step ensures your burgers maintain their shape during cooking.
Avoid Grilling Burgers Straight From the Fridge
Ramsay emphasizes avoiding placing cold burger patties directly onto a hot barbecue. This common error, he explains, results in burgers that are overcooked and dry on the exterior while remaining undercooked in the center. Allowing the patties to slightly warm up before grilling ensures more even cooking throughout.
Allow Burgers to Rest and Lightly Oil Before Grilling
Ramsay advises allowing the seasoned burger patties to “relax” at room temperature for a short period before grilling. He recommends lightly coating them with grapeseed oil. He also suggests rolling the patties to ensure the seasoning evenly coats the edges before placing them on a preheated grill. This technique helps in achieving uniformly flavorful burgers.
Minimize Flipping for Patty Integrity
Another essential tip from Ramsay is to minimize manipulation of the burgers once they are on the grill. Excessive movement, he cautions, increases the likelihood of the patties breaking apart. Limit flipping to maintain perfect burger form and prevent crumbling.
Use the Lid for Even Cooking and to Prevent Sticking
Using the barbecue lid is also crucial. Keeping the lid closed helps to circulate heat evenly, cooking the burgers thoroughly and preventing hot spots. Furthermore, using the lid can help prevent the burgers from sticking to the grill grates, especially when combined with oiled grates and patties.
Always Toast Your Burger Buns
Turning to burger buns, Ramsay explains the necessity of toasting. “There’s nothing worse than a soggy bun,” he asserts. Toasting the buns, he continues, provides a pleasant crispness and prevents the bun from becoming saturated and falling apart from burger juices and condiments. Toasted buns enhance the overall burger experience.