We're giving you a 30-day FREE trial of Prime

The Ultimate Perfect Burger Guide: Bobby Flay’s 6 Best Tips

If you want this summer to be the year to perfect your burger-making skills. Here’s a guide to the best tips from grill master Bobby Flay for a perfect burger!

Burgers are simple dishes. Yet their simplicity also complicates many people in making the perfect burger.

Bobby Flay of Food Network surely knows a thing or two about making juicy, delicious burgers. And he’s going to tell us his secret! With this guide, you can make the perfect burger whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or meat lover.

So, grab your burger press and best spatula, and prepare your barrel grill for perfect burgers this summer!

The 6 Top Secrets For Perfect Burger From Grill Master Bobby Flay

There are regular burgers, and there are Bobby Flay burgers.

As a fan of Bobby, I can’t help but get excited when I watch him make a burger. He’s indeed a master of burgers!

In his Burger 101 class on the Food Network Kitchen app, he says, “Whenever I make burgers, it makes me very, very happy.”

Who won’t be happy to have a perfect burger? 

So, here are the top secrets for a perfect burger from the master himself.

Perfect Burger chuck
  1. 80/20 ground chuck is ideal

Bobby Flay prefers burger patties with 80% lean meat and 20% fat. And why? It makes sure the burger will be juicy because of its high-fat content. 

I know it might not fit with your diet. But you can splurge yourself occasionally. We all want a beefy, juicy, and crunchy burger!

Perfect Burger thumb print
  1. Press your thumb in the center of the patty

Make a deep hole in the center of each patty with your thumb. It prevents the burger from puffing up and bloating in the middle.

“It plumps up like a football, and people smash it down,” he says. “You don’t want to do that,” Flay said. This method will help the patty maintain its shape and avoid getting plump.

Perfect Burger seasonings
  1. Salt and pepper are all you need

The more condiments you use, the more likely you’ll have a perfect patty. Sorry burst your bubble.  All you need are salt and pepper!

Salt and pepper the outside of the burger well. Do not season or add herbs, onions, or garlic to the meat mixture. It will end up as meatloaf. You’re making hamburgers. 

  1. Heated cast iron with canola oil
Perfect Burger oil to use

Flay loves using cast iron to make hamburgers as much as I do! He said, “Cast iron has excellent heat diffusion and retention and produces evenly cooked burgers with a really great crust.” 

If you’re cooking indoors, just skip the grill pan. And go with a cast-iron skillet! Check out this review of Le Creuset Signature Skillet. It is my favorite pan to cook burgers! 

Cook your patties at high heat until it begins to brown and smoke. Then, flip the burgers. Add a few teaspoons of flavorless canola oil and let them cook on the cast iron skillet.

Perfect Burger flip once
  1. Flip once

Use a metal spatula to flip it over once the bottom has created a crust. It will usually take at least 3 minutes. 

Also, here are some of the best spatulas to use for flipping burgers!

If it’s not forming the crust, don’t flip it! Or the meat will fall apart, and you will lose the perfectly round shape.

  1. Just the right temperature

“A perfect beef burger to me is pink and juicy in the middle and cooked somewhere between medium-rare and medium, which is around 145 degrees,” Flay stated.

The approximate cooking time for rare is 6 minutes. While for medium-rare is 7 minutes. 

For safety concerns, the USDA suggests cooking ground beef until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. 

Check out this video from the Rachel Ray Show with Bobby Flay, the burger master!

15 Perfect Burgers You Should Make For Summer

Do you like meat? Vegetarian or Vegan? But you like burgers, right? It is not an issue! I’ve included a handful of recipes that are suitable for your diet!

If you’re new to being vegan, I’ve created a beginner’s vegan guide!

You can enjoy the perfect burgers in your outdoor kitchen. And best paired with wine, fresh side salads, and the best people.

Perfect Beef Burgers Recipes

  1. Drunken Aussie Beef Burgers
Perfect Burger aussie burger

It is a classic Aussie burger that gets a drunken makeover with a beer-spiked juicy beef burger patty and many other toppings!

We all like to drink beer with our burgers, so why not add beer to the burger? I always order this wherever I go. 

There are a lot of good flavors in this burger. And you will surely be addicted to this!

  1. Blue Cheese Burger With Crispy Pancetta
Perfect Burger blue cheese

Do you like the strong taste of blue cheese? It is the best homemade juicy beef burger with crispy pancetta, easy blue cheese sauce, onion chutney, and homemade brioche buns.

You will be drooling over how good it is. You can serve this not just in the summer but at any time of year.

Perfect Burger brunch crunch
  1. The Brunch Crunch Burger

A lazy Saturday in the heat is perfect for a Brunch Crunch burger! Bacon, crispy onion, cheese, jalapeno jack chips, cheese, and a fried egg burger.

The crunchy jalapeño jack chips are the highlight of this burger. It adds some spice and crunch and boosts the entire burger flavor! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Perfect Burger bacon cheese
  1. Classic Bacon Cheese Burger

A nice cheeseburger is all I want in life. I’m sure you want it as well!

This classic bacon cheeseburger is the perfect addition to your cookout parties, with lettuce, tomato, and a good spread of mayo.

It’s tasty, has a nice texture, and is something you could eat every day.

Perfect Burger garlic burger
  1. The Best Garlic Burgers EVER

When I say the best burger, I mean the best garlic burger EVER! There are only three seasonings in these juicy, world-famous garlic burgers. They are simply one of the greatest burgers you’ll ever eat.

You can make this burger patty with ingredients already available in your kitchen. Consider this recipe for a quick weeknight meal or an unexpected get-together.

Perfect Non-Beef Burgers Recipes

  1. Ahi Tuna Burger With Spicy Sriracha Mayo
Perfect Burger tuna!

Burgers are one of those foods that I like. But, because they are so heavy, I can’t eat them as much as I’d want. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more health-conscious.

When I crave a burger, this one is just as good as classic burgers. But it doesn’t make me feel guilty. Try this recipe, and you might find a new way to enjoy a guilt-free burger.

  1. Mexican Turkey Burgers With Cilantro-Lime Pesto
Perfect Burger mexican turkey burger

If you don’t like regular turkey burgers because they are dry and boring. With this Mexican Turkey Burgers With Cilantro-Lime Pesto, you might change your mind.

Turkey burgers are bland. But with the right spices, jalapenos, and a great condiment called Cilantro-Lime Pesto, it turns out to be great for a burger in general.

  1. Roast Chicken and Creamy Garlic Mushroom Burger
Perfect Burger mushroom chicken

Do you want a complete meal in the form of a burger? The Roast Chicken and Creamy Garlic Mushroom Burger come in handy!

Roast chicken slices are piled thick on a homemade brioche roll with fried mushrooms. It also has a creamy-cheesy garlic mushroom sauce, crispy bacon, and baby spinach leaves.

I’m sure that the pleasant endorphins released by eating bacon-fat toast cancel out the cholesterol.

This recipe uses chicken breast. But if you choose chicken thighs, it will also turn out great! Also, I’ve got some foolproof steps in deboning chicken thighs.

Perfect Burger bacon cheddar
  1. Bacon Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Guacamole

Are you a fan of guacamole-based dishes? This Bacon Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Guacamole is sure to please.

It’s irresistibly delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare sweet and salty chicken burgers with guacamole. They’re the perfect dinner for every occasion!

Perfect Burger queso turkey burger
  1. Queso Turkey Burger

With this tasty Queso Turkey Burger, you can take your summer grilling to the next level. These burgers are like an explosion of fiesta queso in your mouth, and they are amazing!

Perfect for Father’s Day, the Fourth of July, or a weekend barbecue. It’s a pretty simple and quick recipe.

Perfect Vegan Burgers Recipes

  1. Carrot Tahini Quinoa Burgers with Tzatziki
Perfect Burger the greek

Add these Carrot Tahini Quinoa Burgers with Tzatziki into your 30-day vegan challenge menu!

It is full of vegetables and protein. The carrots, quinoa, purple cabbage, and cucumber in tzatziki taste so good together!

You can freeze it for later use. Make a double batch and freeze half of it to save time in the kitchen. It’s so much better than having frozen store-bought vegan patties.

This is a great addition to the 1-month vegan challenge (if you’re looking to test out a plant-powered lifestyle!)

Perfect Burger portobello burger
  1. Portobello Mushroom Burger with Avocado Chimichurri

It’s one of my favorite and go-to vegan burgers. It takes around 30 minutes to make and is quite simple. Simply marinate the mushrooms, prepare the chimichurri, and serve!

It’s not only healthier than a beef burger, but it is very delicious and simple to make. It also features the most incredible avocado chimichurri sauce!

Perfect Burger bobby flay's veggie burger
  1. Bobby Flay’s Veggie Burger

Bobby said he’d never had a veggie burger he enjoyed until he came up with this recipe! So I gave it a shot, and it never fails to impress!

It’s the ideal blend of flavors and textures. It’s not a hamburger and never will be, but it’s a great option if you don’t eat meat.

  1. Smoky Black Bean Beet Burgers
Perfect Burger smokey black bean

Getting your kids to eat vegetables can be challenging. Then give these Smoky Black Bean Beet Burgers to your kids to try. I don’t think this veggie burger will seem weird to them.

It is simple, easy to make, healthy, tasty, and most of all, easy. It’s also full of foods high in nutrients, like raw walnuts, black beans, quinoa, and raw beets.

  1. Falafel Burgers with Tzatziki
Perfect Burger falafel burger

A Middle Eastern-style burger? Definitely tasty! It has soaked chickpeas, fresh garlic, and herbs.

If you want to cut back on fat and calories, you can bake it instead of frying it. And put it in a bowl on top of greens! These vegan and gluten-free burgers are filling and satisfying.

People Also Ask

Do you oil the burgers before putting them on the grill?

Apply a light coating of oil to the burgers while the grill is heating up to prevent them from sticking. To ensure minimal sticking, I like to brush a little oil on the grill just before adding the burgers.

How long should you cook a burger on each side for it to be perfect?

7 minutes per side for a well-done burger.
6 minutes per side for a medium-well burger.
5 minutes per side for a medium burger.
Medium-rare burgers need 4 minutes per side.

Should you flatten burgers before grilling?

The patties aren’t mostly flat. It’s important to flatten your patty before cooking it if you want to make the perfect burger form.

Conclusion

Burgers don’t have to be just a beef patty with a slice of cheese on top. Booby Flay introduced us to delicious turkey and chicken burgers and vegan and vegetarian burgers.

A nice, juicy burger is the best way to celebrate the summer. You can’t find a diner, pub, restaurant, or bar that doesn’t serve at least one kind of burger. 

But why would you buy a burger? When you can make it yourself with Bobby Flay’s tips on making the perfect burger!

What burger recipe you just can’t get over with? Let me know in the comments!