Why is my burger dry?

If your burger turns out dry, check the following three areas that are the usual suspects. First, be sure you are using 80 / 20 ground beef. It has the perfect amount of fat for a juicy burger, without letting it shrink too much. Up next, check that the kosher salt didn’t hit the burger until right before going on the grill. Salting too early draws out moisture from the meat, resulting in a dry burger. Lastly, be sure you don’t overcook the hamburger. Juicy burgers should have just a hint of pink on the inside.

What is the secret to juicy hamburgers?

There is no one secret, despite all the “hacks” you have seen on social media. Adding other “secret” ingredients only mess with the flavor and texture of the hamburger. Simply use quality ingredients, don’t salt the burgers until they go onto the grill, and don’t overcook them. It’s a simple as that.

Simple Juicy Burger Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef

3 – 3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat grill to high.
Divide ground beef into six – 1/3 pound servings. Gently roll into balls. Gently press into patties that are about 25% larger than your buns. Make a 2 inch wide dimple in the center of each patty.
Do not salt the patties until right before you put them on the grill.
Salt generously on both sides of the patties, and place on the hot grill. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook for 2-5 minutes longer depending on how you like your burgers. 2 minutes will have a pink interior and 5 will be well done.

Notes

You can make these patties ahead of time, cover them well, and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days before grilling. Remember, don’t salt them until right before grilling.

Author: Carole Jones
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilled
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 burger
Calories: 388
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 1069 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 107 mg

Keywords: juicy burger recipe, homemade burger