Forget about seeing your first robin or those early garden blossoms. You’ll know spring is really here when grills emerge from their winter hibernation — and unlike gardening, grilling doesn’t have to wait until after the last frost.
Along with the start of grilling season comes the start of “grilling hack” season, with TikTokers and other influencers sharing their favorite tips. Not all of those tips are necessarily worth following, though. Consider the divisive burger hack suggesting that ice cubes are the key to juicy burgers. While it’s not completely off-base, it’s not necessarily the express route to better burgers either. Let’s dig into this.
The Ice Cube Hack, Explained
There are a couple of different versions of the ice cube hack. One calls for placing an ice cube atop each patty as you put them on the grill. The more common variation suggests using smaller or broken-up ice, pressing a chunk into the center of the patty or integrating it as you form the patties. The logic here is that the ice cube adds moisture as it melts and helps prevent overcooking.
But let’s unpack this hack and look at some flaws in its reasoning. First, what makes burgers juicy is mostly the fat content, which is why the best burgers use beef that’s no more than 80% lean. Second, the melted ice cube literally waters down the flavor of your beef. The excess moisture also needs to cook off as steam before the burgers can brown. So, your choices are to serve a pale burger or keep cooking until it’s browned. This means your chances of overcooking it actually get worse.
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How Can You Get Juicy Burgers?
If the ice cube hack isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, what are some proven tips for better burgers? Start by choosing beef that’s at most 80% lean. Much of the fat will render out during cooking, but while it’s there, it helps protect the moisture in the beef from evaporating, keeping it juicier. If you’d like to try adding moisture directly, mix a few tablespoons of liquid into the ground beef before you make up the patties. But don’t use water — use beef broth (or something else with a complementary flavor) so you’re adding beefiness as well.
The best thing you can do for your burgers is to simply avoid overcooking them. We recommend getting an instant-read thermometer and using it to cook your burgers to your preferred level of doneness. Once you have that dialed in, you can tweak your grilling (or pan-searing) technique to reliably produce the burger of your dreams.
This home hack is part of Summer Spruce Up Week — seven days packed with ideas to get you ready for the season ahead. We’ll be sharing our best tips for stress-free grilling, memorable outdoor gatherings, and thriving summer gardens.
