Burgers that are fresh or frozen can become dry if they are not cooked or prepared property. Dry burgers can be moistened by cooking them on an oiled grill, adding an extra dob of butter on the top or by making them thicker to trap the moisture.
First, let’s check out the top reasons why burgers become dry.
Top 5 reasons why burgers become dry
Let’s check out the top reasons why burgers become dry.
1. Using meat that is too low in fat
Making or buying burgers from meat that has a fat percentage below 20% will often give you burgers that are too dry. Very lean burgers are hard to keep juicy as they lack the fat that will release from the burger, surround the meat and help with heat transfer.
Choosing good quality ground beef with around 20% fat is the best way to make juicy burgers and stop them from drying out. when cooking.
2. Adding too many breadcrumbs
Making burgers with too many breadcrumbs or with added flour can cause them to become dry. Without the correct balance of fat, breadcrumbs and egg you can end up with very dry and rubbery burgers.
Many burger recipes are actually made with 100% meat. You can gently form the meat into a ball in your hand and flatten it into a burger shape without the need for breadcrumbs. This avoids the problem altogether.
3. Leaving the burgers in the freezer for too long
Leaving burgers in the freezer for too long can cause them to dry out over time. Moisture can be lost from the burger, ice crystals can form on top and the burger will be dry when it is cooked.
Burgers will last in good condition for up to 4 months. The sooner you use these the better however as they will be less likely to have lost flavor and dry out.
4. Not covering the burger patties in the freezer
Freezing burger patties without covering them property can cause them to become dry when they are cooked. Allowing too much air to circulate around the burgers can cause freezer burn, can make them dry and lack flavor.
Store burger patties in an airtight container, labelled in the freezer. This will help to keep them moist and will reduce the formation of ice crystals on the outside.
5. Not using oil on the grill
Cooking burgers on the grill without using any oil will often cause them to dry out. A thin layer of oil is all that is needed to help start the cooking process, form a crust on the outside that traps moisture and stop the burgers form sticking.
Check out this recipe for super moist burgers.
7 Ways to moisten dry burgers and stop them from drying
Check out my top tips to moisten dry burgers at home so they come out juicy and delicious.
1. Add oil to the pan or grill
An easy way to keep burgers moist when you cook them is to add fat to the pan. Oil, lard or even wiping the grill with butter just before you cook will stop the burgers from sticking and help them to form a crust quicker.
This will trap the moisture inside the burger and stop them from drying out.
2. Add some butter
Another trick to moisten dry frozen burgers is to add butter. Pop them on the grill or in a pan and add a dob of butter. This will melt over the meat helping to add moisture and stop them from drying as they cook.
3. Avoid overcooking
Overcooking frozen burgers is a major cause of them drying out. If they have already been cooked you can reheat them in a covered dish with holes to let the steam escape in the microwave in short bursts. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time until they have heated through and are steaming.
If you are cooking frozen raw burgers on the grill, leave them out on the bench for 15 minutes to slightly defrost. Pop them on a hot grill and flip them minimal times until they have cooked through and the juices run clear.
4. Salt just before cooking
Remember to add a small amount of salt to the outside of the burger just before cooking. if you add salt too early it will draw moisture out of the meat and cause the burgers to dry out fast.
5. Use meat with 20% fat
Choose burger meat with 20% fat and 80% protein content. This will help to keep the burgers moist and stop them from drying out on the grill as they cook.
6. Keep burger patties thicker
To keep burger patties moist leave them slightly thicker. Thin burgers are easy to dry out and they will lose their moisture quicker. Make burgers that are 1/4-1/2 an inch thick an they will stay moist.
7. Avoid pressing the burgers when cooking
To stop moisture from being lost from the burgers avoid pressing them down with a spatula too many times. Each time you press you squeeze the water or moisture out of the burger causing it to become dry.
I like to press my burgers out once on the pan and then cook them through 70% of the way on one side. I will then flip to cook on the other side and flip one more time to finish cooking on the first side.
How to moisten dry burgers | Summary
Adding oil to the pan and adding a small dob of butter to the top of the patty when cooking is a great way to moisten dry burgers. Burgers that have already been cooked can be microwaved for short periods of time to reheat. Aim to cook them for 30 seconds at a time until they are steaming hot.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.