Why Thicker Burger Patties Are Better For Grilling Than Thin

Hamburgers frequently find their way into our weekly meal-planning menus. They are a crowd pleaser whether you are having a backyard barbecue or watching a game at home with friends. According to SWNS Digital, 20% of Americans consider this sandwich their "go-to" when dining out. In fact, poll participants confessed to eating approximately five burgers a month or 60 per year. But the most fascinating discovery is that the quality of the hamburger patty tops the list of what hamburger eaters care about most. 

Mark Rosati, culinary director of Shake Shack, told Food & Wine that when selecting meat, it's all about the marbling. Rosati said, "One of the most important attributes to a great burger is that it has to be juicy. You want to find a meat that has a good amount of marbling, that's the key to making a juicy burger." But how thick should those patties be? Per Thermoworks, thin patties that are about ¼ inch thick are perfect for creating trendy smash burgers. However, when it comes to grilling a hamburger over an open flame, thicker burgers are the way to go, and here's why. 

According to Charbroil, when it comes to creating burger patties that are mouthwatering, you want to make certain you start with patties that are ¾ an inch thick. Additionally, if you want a nice flat hamburger, the grilling site recommends placing an indentation in the center of the burger. Per Food & Wine, Shake Shack's Mark Rosati, concurs with this thick choice. Rosati revealed to the publication, "When I cook a burger on an open flame, I like to go for a 6 oz. or 8 oz. patty. You cook it longer to develop more caramelization on the outside, but you're not gonna lose as much juice as you would if it was a thinner patty on open flame."

Moreover, Adam Perry Lang, the author of "Serious Barbecue," cautioned (via Thrillist) thin patties can lead to unhappy guests, Lang explained that the thicker the patty, the more juices it can retain and the less likely it will dry out. Additionally, Cory Vega shares (via Medium) that your hamburger patty needs to be wider than the hamburger bun. This will help your burger keep its shape even as it shrinks when it cooks.