How do I grill burgers to get a perfect sear?

Achieving a perfect sear on the grill

A great sear comes from high, even heat and minimal disturbance. Preheat your grill to a high temperature (about 450–550°F or 230–290°C) and make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Use patties that are cold and not overworked to hold together under intense heat.

Place patties on the hottest part of the grill and let them cook undisturbed to form a crust—usually 3–4 minutes for a 3/4-inch patty depending on heat and desired doneness. Flip once with a spatula and finish cooking on the cooler side if you need more time for internal temperature without over-charring the outside.

Steps for best results

• Preheat grill and clean grates.
• Oil grates or brush a little oil on patties (not too much).
• Season immediately before grilling.
• Cook first side undisturbed until a deep brown crust forms.
• Flip once and finish to target temperature; add cheese in the final minute and cover to melt.

Extra tips

• Avoid pressing patties—this squeezes out juices.
• For cross-hatch grill marks, rotate patties 45 degrees halfway through the first side’s cook time.
• Use a thermometer to reach 160°F (71°C) for ground beef safety.

With high heat, patience, and minimal flipping, you’ll get a juicy interior and a flavorful, crispy exterior every time.