Name: Grilled Well-Done Burgers
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread , crust removed, torn into 1‑inch pieces; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 teaspoons steak sauce; 1 garlic clove , minced; 1½ pounds (80 percent lean) ground beef; ½ teaspoon table salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 4 slices American cheese (4 ounces) (optional); 4 hamburger buns , toasted if desired

Why This Recipe Works

Turns out there are plenty of reasons to opt for a well-done burger: It makes the cooking more hands-off, it requires less precise timing, and if you’re trying to please multiple palates it’s far easier to cook all of the burgers to the same temperature. Taste tests proved that well-done burgers made from 80 percent lean ground chuck were noticeably moister than burgers made from leaner beef, but they still weren’t juicy enough; adding a panade—a paste of bread and milk—ensured the burgers were moist and tender. To punch up the flavor, we added minced garlic and tangy steak sauce. We cooked the burgers over high heat to create a flavorful sear; the panade helped stem moisture loss over the hot fire, leaving us with mouthwatering well-done burgers that would wow even the pickiest burger aficionado.

Before You Begin

Make sure to use 80 percent lean ground beef; a leaner ground beef will result in a drier burger.

Instructions

Using fork, mash bread, milk, steak sauce, and garlic to paste in large bowl. Break ground beef into small pieces and add to bowl with bread mixture. Gently knead with hands until well combined. Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions, then gently shape each portion into ¾‑inch-thick patty. Using your fingertips, press center of each patty down until about ½ inch thick, creating slight divot.

FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.

Clean and oil cooking grate. Season patties with salt and pepper. Place patties on grill, divot side up, and cook (covered if using gas) until well browned on first side, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip patties, top with cheese, if using, and continue to cook until browned on second side and meat registers 140 to 145 degrees (for medium-well) or 150 to 155 degrees (for well-done), 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer burgers to platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve burgers on buns.