3 Tips For Grilling Burgers This Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is here, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate the last true weekend of summer with an American Icon: the hamburger. Corporate executive chef Ivy Stark, of Bill's Bar & Burger, shares a few tips to help you grill your burger to perfection.

Tip 1

The most important grilling tip is choosing the right meat.  Remember, fat equals flavor and juiciness. Don't shy away from it. Chef Ivy says, "if you go with lean ground beef, you will most likely end up with a hockey puck," so in order to avoid such a disaster, ask your butcher for a blend that is at least 20 percent fat, or grind your own meat in a food processor by cutting fresh chuck (not trimmed, of course) into strips and processing it to get the best results.

Tip 2

Be gentle when forming your patties and generous with your seasoning. Experiment with kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to see what tastes best to your palate.

Tip 3

Make sure to use a hot fire and grill your burgers quickly. Also, try to avoid pressing on the meat and flipping it more than once — that tends to drain out the juice, which is essential for every good burger!