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ideal temperature for a medium rare burger

Ultimate Temperature Guide for Medium Rare Hamburger

If your idea of an ideal summer day is to grill burgers outside, then you really must master how to grill burgers. Every grill aficionado has their idea of what a perfectly grilled burger should be like. Most would consider a medium rare burger as the sweet spot – still juicy and tender. When the burger gets too dry, it’s not enjoyable to eat anymore. 

The secret is knowing how to properly grill the hamburger to achieve the ideal internal temperature. Use this guide to find out how to master grilling so you can enjoy burgers all summer long – or any time of the year. 

 

What is the Ideal Temperature for a Medium Rare Burger?

 

If a medium rare burger is what you are aiming for, then you need to know the ideal temperature to aim for when grilling. A medium rare burger is sought after because the meat is juicy and tender. 

The ideal temperature for a medium rare burger is 130 to 135 degrees F. The ground beef, when cooked until medium rare, will have a pinkish-red center. The outside of the burger patty looks golden brown with only a slight charring. 

The best way to achieve a medium rare burger is to use a meat thermometer. This is the only way that you can accurately achieve the temperature of the meat to get the grilling results you want. 

 

Is a Medium Rare Burger Safe to Eat?

 

When it comes to grilling any kind of meat, especially burgers, safety is always a concern in terms of achieving the desired internal temperature. A lot of people find themselves dealing with meat that is too tough or dry because they are afraid to eat burgers that are cooked to medium rare.

There are several factors that can affect how safe it is to consume a burger that is cooked to medium rare. The first step is to pasteurize the meat by cooking it for roughly 12 minutes until you achieve 140 degrees. This is only a little bit higher than the recommended internal temperature for a medium rare burger, which is 130 to 135 degrees F. It is close enough that you won’t be able to tell a significant difference in terms of the texture of the meat, yet it ensures that any bacteria that might be present in the meat is killed in the grilling process.

When buying pre-made patties from the store, take note of the pasteurization process so you can safely consume your burger.

 

medium rare burger safe ideal temperature

What are the different levels of doneness in a burger?

 

If you don’t like to eat medium rare burgers, there are different ways to cook your burger to achieve your desired level of doneness. You can use the tips below in order to get the cook right depending on how you like your burger.

 

Grilling a Rare Burger

 

First thing’s first, a rare burger is something that is not recommended for everyone. You must only grill your burger to this temperature and level of doneness if you use premium beef that you ground yourself. 

To achieve a rare burger, you need to grill the patty for 2- 3 minutes on each side. This will cook the exterior of the beef while keeping the inside rare. The result you get is a warm red color in the center that feels soft and spongy.

 

Grilling a Medium Rare Burger

 

To grill a medium rare burger, you can sear the burger patty for 3-4 minutes per side. This will help you achieve that pinkish-red center and a golden brown finish on the outside with slight charring. 

The internal temperature you are aiming for here is anywhere from 125 to 135 degrees. The meat should feel juicy and tender with some resistance.

 

Grilling a Well-Done Burger

 

There are a few people who enjoy a well-done burger because of safety reasons. To make sure that the meat is cooked all the way through, you must grill the meat for 12 minutes on each side. You know the meat is cooked when it turns brown without any trace of pink or redness. 

The internal temperature of a well-done burger is 160 degrees F. 

 

Meat-Temperature-Food-Magnet-Sheet

 

Best Grilling Tips for Burgers

 

Now that you know the temperature chart for grilling burgers, the next step is to know how to grill burgers like a pro. These tips will get you started so you can make the perfect burgers every single time.

 

  • Make your own burger patties. There are a lot of pre-made burger patties on the market these days, but if you want the best burgers, it is recommended that you make your own patties. This will enable you to select the best kinds of meat to ground and then you can choose the spices you want. When making your patties, resist the urge to over handle the meat as it can cause the fat to melt – and fat is flavor!
  • Make sure there is an adequate ratio of fat to meat. Lean meat is healthier, but you need fat if you want your burger patty to be as flavorful as possible. The ideal ratio is 85% ground lean beef and 15% fat. Make sure that the fat is also evenly distributed throughout the patty.
  • Brush your grill with oil before grilling. This will help keep the burger from sticking to the grill. Also, the addition of the oil will help create a more beautiful sear on the outside of the meat.
  • Flip your burgers once only. It can be very tempting to flip your patties a few times while grilling; however, you must resist the urge. This will test your patience, but it is important that you refrain from fiddling with the meat too much.
  • Check the burger’s internal temperature. This is the most important secret to achieving the perfect burger – getting the internal temperature right. You must check your burger to see if it has reached the internal temperature according to your desired level of doneness. 

 

Whether you want a medium rare burger or something that is well-done, it is important that you have the right tools at hand to check the desired level of temperature. 

14 Comments

  1. […] its color ahead of reaching the essential temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. A consumer cooking medium-rare hamburger patties, expecting color changes as a sign of food safety, is allowing pathogenic microorganisms to […]

  2. […] a frozen burger on the George Foreman grill for 13 to 25 minutes on high. A medium rare burger should be ready in 2-1/2 to 3 minutes if properly cooked. If you prefer a well-done meal, cook them […]

  3. […] only takes 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare burgers to cook. Grill them for up to 5 minutes more if you prefer them well […]

  4. […] temperatures, a meat thermometer with an instant read feature may be an excellent option. To cook medium rare burgers, place them on the first side for four minutes before turning them. If the melt has not been […]

  5. […] Medium rare burgers take only two to three minutes to cook. Grill for up to 5 minutes if you prefer them well done. […]

  6. […] Burger lovers will find it easy to prepare any type of food with its versatile design. A medium rare burger takes only 2-1/2 to 3 minutes to cook, allowing you to eat it quickly and easily. If you prefer, […]

  7. […] How long do you cook a beef patty on a George Foreman Grill? It takes about 1-2 hours to cook medium rare burgers. Grill them for up to 5 minutes on the well-done side if you prefer them that […]

  8. […] Medium rare burgers can take two and a half to three minutes to cook. Grilling them for up to 5 minutes will allow them to be more impressive. […]

  9. […] of the meat. A medium rare burger needs to be cooked at temperatures of 130-135 degrees F for medium rare burgers, for a very long time. A burger that has been cooked to medium rare can be extremely safe depending […]

  10. […] is it okay to eat a medium rare hamburger? A medium rare steak, whether properly cooked or not, requires proper handling, as does a medium […]

  11. […] the maximum amount of fat you can eat in a medium rare hamburger? While medium rare steak is fine, medium rare ground beef requires proper cooking. You can leave oven-safe meat thermometers in the food for a few minutes […]

  12. […] medium rare hamburger can be eaten, but it comes with risks. The FDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal […]

  13. […] an internal temperature of 130-135F. I prefer to melt American cheese over the burger patties on medium rare burgers. You will also need to serve some delicious side dishes to go with your juicy […]

  14. […] a juicy patty. It is also necessary to preheat the grill ahead of time and clean it after use. Cook medium rare burgers on direct heat for 3 minutes per side, preferably at 450-500 degrees F. If you follow these simple […]

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