Cooking Lesson #614: Ice Cube Hack for Burgers on The Grill

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Are you getting your barbecue cleaned-up for summer cookouts? It’s that time of year to scrape down the grill and dust off the tongs and spatula so you can make those perfect backyard burgers.
 
Here’s a hack that will make your burgers juicy and flavorful every single time. The best part is that it costs you nothing and you can find it in just about any kitchen—regular ice cubes. You simply make your patties as you normally would, then put a single ice cube in the center of each one and fold the meat around it. When you grill the patty, the melting cube keeps the patty from drying out by distributing more moisture throughout the patty.
 
The best thing about using an ice cube is that it’s only plain water and it won't impact the flavor of the seasonings you use in the patty. It's also readily available.
Just place your patties on the grill and then put an ice cube in the center of each patty, pressing it down gently. Then, you just cook the patties like you normally would.
 
It’s best to cook the burgers to at least medium rare if you plan to use an ice cube to keep the patty juicy and safely enjoy your upgraded hamburger.
 
A medium rare burger is a burger that has been cooked to an internal temperature of around 145⁰ F). This means that the center of the patty is still pink and slightly warm, with a crust on the outside that is browned or seared. When cooking a medium rare burger, it should be grilled for about three to four minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the patty and the heat of the grill. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patty to ensure it has reached 145⁰ F.
 
It is important to remember that consuming undercooked or raw meat, including beef, can lead to food poisoning according to the USDA. Therefore, it is important to cook the burgers until they reach the appropriate internal temperature. To mitigate this risk, many people like to eat their burgers well done.
 
A well-done burger is cooked to an internal temperature of around 160-165 ⁰ F. The patty will be cooked through and through, with no pink or red remaining in the center. The meat is also typically dryer than a medium-rare or medium burger, which is why using an ice cube can really help. It keeps well-done patties a little moister.
 
When cooking a well-done burger, it should be grilled for longer than a medium-rare or medium burger, usually around five to seven minutes per side, once again depending on the thickness of the patty and the heat of the grill. Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the patty.
 
The-ice-cube-hack-for-ridiculously-juicy-burgers-every-time helps the hamburger retain its moisture and juices when grilling so that the high heat of the grill won’t zap all the natural juices out you your best grilled hamburgers. Grill on!
 
ChefSecret:  If you like a really juicy burger, be sure to buy hamburger meat that is at least 20% fat (80%/20%). Leaner hamburger dries out easier.
 
Quip of the Day:  How did the French fry propose to the hamburger?
Answer: He gave her an onion ring!
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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