If You’re Cooking Burgers Directly on the Grill, You’re Doing It Wrong

Don’t let all the flavorful juices get away.
If You’re Cooking Burgers Directly on the Grill, You’re Doing It Wrong
Create your own burger buffet with (from top) beef patties on pretzel buns, lamb burgers in pita halves and turkey burgers on English muffins. Ashley Moyna Schwickert / For the Minnesota Star Tribune
Updated:
0:00

Every once in a while, I just need a burger. Nothing complicated, just a plump meat patty with a thick char that gives in to be tender and juicy. Debate all you want about the type of the bun, whether to top with cheese and what condiments to use. But experts agree there are some non-negotiable rules:

Choose good meat from a trusted source. Whether using beef, turkey, or lamb, ideally the meat is grass-fed with enough fat to keep it moist and flavorful. Look for a ratio between 80 percent to 85 percent lean meat to 20 percent to 15 percent fat. If you’re cooking with turkey, ground dark meat has more flavor and is moister than white meat.

Beth Dooley, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Beth Dooley, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Author
From The Minnesota Star Tribune. Beth Dooley is the author of “The Perennial Kitchen.” Find her at BethDooleysKitchen.com. Copyright 2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at StarTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.