Burger timer: how long to grill or pan-fry burgers

A 3/4-inch (2 cm) beef burger takes about 5 minutes per side on a hot grill or in a hot pan, 10 minutes in all. Cook it until it reaches 160°F (71°C) in the middle.

Kitchen Timer buzzes when it is time to flip, then again when the burgers are done.

These times are for medium-high heat, about 400-450°F (200-230°C) on a gas grill, or a heavy pan over medium-high heat on the stove. The times work for both.

Let the burgers rest for 3 minutes before serving. Start the resting timer

On the grill

1. Heat the grill to medium-high and brush the grates clean and lightly oiled.
2. Shape the patties a little wider than the buns and press a shallow dip in the middle so they stay flat.
3. Salt both sides just before cooking.
4. Put them on, start the timer, and leave them alone. Don't press them down: it squeezes out the juice.
5. Flip when Kitchen Timer buzzes. Add cheese in the last minute and close the lid.

On the stove

1. Heat a cast-iron or heavy pan over medium-high heat with a little oil until it shimmers.
2. Cook in batches with space between the patties, so they brown instead of steaming.
3. Start the timer, flip at the buzz, and check the middle when it rings again.

Food safety

The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F (71°C). Burgers can look brown inside before they reach it, so a thermometer is the only sure check. Push it into the side of the patty to the middle.

Cooking for a crowd? Run several timers side by side, one for each batch.

Questions

More: Steak timer · Hot dog timer · Corn timer · All cooking timers
Run several timers at once