How to stop burgers falling apart on the grill
Why do burgers break apart on the grill?
It’s the one thing every griller fears, meat sticking to the bars and breaking apart during cooking. Not only can it create mess and the smell of burning, but it can cause a lot of stress when you’re trying to execute a BBQ event. Uneven burger patties can also lead to uneven cooking, leading some parts of the meat to cook at different rates. Nobody wants a burger that has lost its shape and been broken up on the grill, which is why we’ve put together this guide to help prevent your burgers from falling apart during direct heat cooking.
There are many factors to consider when cooking meat of the grill if you want to achieve the best results. For burgers, because they are made from ground meat that is bound together, this includes taking steps to make they stay intact during grilling. The things to be aware of are:
- Temperature of the meat
- Overworking the patties
- Inappropriate equipment
- A grill that isn’t hot enough
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Checklist for keeping burgers whole when grilling
- Choose the right meat
Meat that is very lean often struggles to bind together when cooking. A fat content of at least 20% (80/20 ratio) is usually recommended to avoid pieces breaking off the burger. The fat helps to both bind the meat together and keep the burger juicy. Freshly ground beef also binds better than meat that has been frozen and thawed. Read our ‘Tips for Grinding Your Own Steak Burger Patties’.
- Handle the meat gently
Overworking the meat can break down the protein fibres and make the burger tough and crumbly. We advise shaping your patties loosely without using lots of force. Pressing them too hard can cause them to become dense and prone to falling apart. It’s at this stage
- Keep burger patties cold
After forming the patties, refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Cold patties often hold their shape better and are less likely to fall apart.
- Add a binder
If you find your patties are still falling apart despite using the techniques above, you can add an egg and some breadcrumbs to the mixture to act as a binder. Finely chopped onions, Worcestershire sauce, or even a small amount of mayonnaise can also help hold the patties together.
- Preheat your grill
A hot grill is necessary to quickly sear the outside of the patty and help it hold together. It’s also important to ensure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Avoid flipping patties too soon
If you try to flip too early, the patty may stick to the grill and fall apart. It’s recommended that you leave burgers on the grill for around 4-5 minutes to form a crust before flipping. Try to flip the burgers only once, as constant flipping can cause them to break apart as well.
- Use the right equipment
A wide, flat spatula will provide enough support to the burgers to prevent breakage when flipping. Although it’s still best to use a gentle touch when it comes time to flip. Browse our range of BBQ accessories.