Grilling season is here and everyone’s craving a juicy, delicious burger! But, how long should you cook burgers on the grill? We’ve got your answers in this post.
From cooking times to grilling tips and tricks, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making the perfect burger.

Grilling Time for Burgers
When it comes to grilling burgers, the amount of time you need to grill them for can vary depending on the thickness of the patty, the temperature of your grill, and how done you like them.
Generally, it’s recommended to cook burgers for 3-4 minutes per side over medium heat.
For rare burgers, a total cook time of 4 minutes is best; for medium-rare, 6-7 minutes total; and for medium, cook the patty on one side for three minutes before turning it over and cooking for an additional four minutes.
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For well-done burgers, plan to grill them for 10-12 minutes. Remember that these are all approximate times; you should always use a thermometer to ensure your burgers are cooked through.
The Perfect Temperature for Grilling Burgers
The perfect temperature for grilling burgers is between 375°F to 400°F. This temperature will cook the burger all the way through without overcooking it.
For a typical 4-ounce burger, the grilling time at 400 is around 2 minutes per side. Ensure you have your grill set at medium-high heat to reach this temperature.
Make sure you fill the charcoal grills enough to reach and maintain this temperature.
The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 °F to ensure you’ve killed any harmful bacteria that could be present in the meat.
Melting cheese on top of your burger helps to determine if it is cooked through and keeps it moist, but do not rely on cheese as a gauge for doneness as it is not always reliable.
Grilling burgers at the right temperature will give you perfect results every time!
Tips and Tricks to Get the Perfect Burger
It’s easy to get a perfect burger with the right tips and tricks. To start, you’ll want to use cold ground beef for your patties.
This helps keep the meat from sticking together, making it easier to form into burgers. You’ll also want to choose a cut of beef you like best; 85/15 or 80/20 are good options for burgers.
Once the patties are formed, you’ll need to heat your grill up to medium-low to medium heat, usually between 275 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
When grilling, it’s important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the patties and cook for 4-4 ½ minutes per side for 8-9 minutes total for a well-done burger.
Following these steps will help you get the perfect burger every time!
How to Tell if the Burger is Done
Now that you know the perfect temperature and grilling times for burgers, it’s important to know how to tell if a burger is done.
The best way to check is with a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the center of the burger and look for an internal temperature of no less than 160°F.
At 120°F, the burger is rare, 130°F is medium-rare, 140°F is medium, 150°F is medium-well, and over 160°F is well-done.
If you don’t have a thermometer handy, you can do a touch test by going in at an angle in the middle of the cut, waiting for a second, and then touching the tester to your wrist.
If it’s cold, the meat is raw. Grilling burgers can be tricky and requires some trial and error.
By following these tips and tricks and checking with a thermometer, you can ensure your burgers are grilled perfectly every time.
Grilling Time for a ½ lb Burger
A ½ lb burger should be cooked for approximately 8 minutes on medium-high heat. To ensure it is cooked to the desired doneness, it’s essential to use a thermometer to check the burger’s internal temperature.
A burger that has reached an internal temperature of 160°F is considered well-done and safe to eat. For a medium-rare burger, an internal temperature of 135°F is ideal.
It’s also vital to ensure the grill is preheated correctly before placing the patty. This can help ensure an evenly cooked, juicy burger every time.
Grilling Time for a ⅓ lb Burger
Cooking a ⅓ lb burger on the grill is a great way to enjoy a tasty, juicy burger. For the perfect ⅓ lb burger, you’ll want to cook it for 4-5 minutes on one side and then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
When grilling burgers, it’s important to remember to start with a hot grill and only flip the patties once.
This will help ensure that your burgers are cooked all the way through.
You’ll also want to ensure that you have reached your desired level of doneness – rare burgers will take about 5-6 minutes total, medium-rare will take about 7 minutes total, and well-done burgers will take about 8-10 minutes total.
With these tips, you’ll have a delicious burger every time!
Grilling Time for Medium-Rare
For a medium-rare burger, the perfect grilling time is 5 minutes total, with 2 minutes per side.
This should result in a burger with a 135°F internal temperature, which is slightly pink in the center.
To make sure your burger is cooked to perfection, it is important to use a thermometer and make sure the internal temperature has reached 135°F.
Remember that for rare burgers, you should cook for about 2 minutes per side or 4 minutes total.
For medium burgers (warm, pink center), you should cook for 7 to 8 minutes total or 140 to 145°F. For well-done burgers, cook for 9 minutes or 150 to 155°F.
Grilling Time for Medium
For a medium burger, the grilling time should be 3 to 3 1/2 minutes per side for a total of 6 to 7 minutes.
The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F. If you’re looking for a juicy burger with a little pink in the middle, this is the perfect amount of time to cook your patty.
Be sure to check the temperature with a thermometer to ensure you don’t overcook your burger.
Once the burger reaches the desired temperature, it’s ready! Whether you’re grilling a 1/2 lb or a 1/3 lb burger, grilling time for medium burgers remains the same.
With these tips and tricks, you can enjoy a delicious and perfectly cooked medium burger every time!
Grilling Time for Well-Done
For well-done burgers, cooking for 5 minutes per side or 10 minutes total is best. This will ensure that the burger is cooked through and browned through.
To check the temperature of a well-done burger, use a meat thermometer and look for an internal temperature of 160 to 165°.
It’s essential to let burgers rest after grilling, as this will help keep them juicy. With the right grilling time, you can serve a delicious and well-cooked burger every time.
Now that you know the grilling time for each type of burger, you can ensure that your burgers are cooked each time perfectly.
Is the Cooking Time for Ribs on the Grill Similar to Burgers?
When grilling ribs and burgers, the cooking time differs due to the difference in size and thickness of the meat. To cook perfect ribs every time, it is important to slow cook them for a longer period, while burgers generally require shorter cooking time over higher heat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grilling burgers can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy a meal. With the right temperature and a few simple tips, you can ensure that your burgers come out perfectly cooked every time.
Whether you are grilling 1/2 lb or 1/3 lb burgers, the cooking time will vary depending on how done you want your burgers.
For medium rare, grill the patty for 3 minutes on one side and turn it over. For medium-well, cook for 9 minutes or to an internal temperature of 150-155°F.
For well done, cook for 10 minutes or to an internal temperature of 160-165°F. With these tips, you can ensure your burgers come out just how you want them every time!