5 tricks to the perfect grilled burger

Before you grill, especially if you intend to impress family and friends, you must start with wise shopping. Go with a list, but don’t think of shopping without checking out the grocery coupons page at ShopAtHome.com for printable coupons. Search through categories like condiments (ketchup, etc.) and dairy (we found a coupon for Kraft singles.)

You’ll be on your way once you’ve used your sense to save cents.

Next, it’s onto the creation process. Making the perfect burger on the grill isn’t exactly intuitive.

1. Go for fat:

We’ve been coached that the burger with the least fat – say a 90-10 mix (meaning 10 percent fat) is healthier.

But we’ll come right out and say it: you might as well grill up an old pair of leather shoes. For the juiciest burger, look for an 80-20 split. Never fear: Most of that fat will drip off, anyhow.

2. Leave some air:

The next mistake many make is to grab that burger meat and roll it tight into a ball, then pound it into submission. You want to leave some air in that burger, so lightly toss that ball around, and gently form it into a patty.

How big? Here’s where you have to play. You want it to start a bit bigger than your bun, as it’s likely to shrink a bit, and you want it to be about ¾ to 1 inch thick.

3. Bring on the heat:

Now get that grill ready. It should be on medium or medium high heat, and the grates should be cleaned and oiled lightly.

Cover the grill and peek now and then. The burgers should be flipped when they release easily from the grill. Allow about 5 minutes a side for medium burgers, or go a little longer if you like them more cooked.

4. Add the toppings:

If you’re hankering for cheeseburgers, move the burgers to the cooler side of the grill, cover with cheese, and close the grill for just a minute.

You’re ready to pop those on the buns you’ve hopefully toasted, and top with ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, or whatever your family likes best.

5. Extra special sauce:

Looking for that perfectly prepared burger to stand out even more? Try this recipe from Epicurious.com, and be prepared to boast about those burgers.

Ingredients:

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 ½ teaspoons spicy pickle juice
1 ½ teaspoons ketchup
1 teaspoon mustard
¼ teaspoon each smoked paprika, ground garlic and ground onion

To make:

Stir wet ingredients together, then combine spices. Slowly add spikes to wet ingredients.