Meat – Extremely hard layer after cooking the burger on the grill

grillingground-beefhamburgersmeat

It was the first time I tried making burgers at home. I did some research on the subject. I just put salt and pepper into the ground beef.

Then I heated the iron grill well and applied a small amount of olive oil on the hamburger patties and baked each side for 7 minutes.

I share the photos of hamburger meatballs before and after cooking.

What do you think is causing this situation?

1- Minced meat is too fat?
2- Cooking time?
3- To put olive oil on it before cooking?
4- Iron Grill?

I will be grateful if you could help me. I don't want my next attempt to end like this.

Thank you.

Before Cooking

After cooking

Best Answer

You did everything right except you overcooked your burgers. Those are relatively thin patties, they won't take 7 minutes a side on high heat, that is what caused that hard crust. I'd be cooking them 3 minutes a side at most.

A small thing but I'd suggest you replace olive oil with corn, sunflower or another high temperature oil. Olive oil will smoke at a high temperature and add off flavors. This had nothing to do with your thick crust.