Whether to put barbecue sauce on burgers while they are cooking is a debated topic among burger enthusiasts. Some argue that the sugar in barbecue sauce can burn if added too soon. Others claim that letting the sauce caramelize adds flavor. There are benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding when to add barbecue sauce to burgers.
Quick Overview
Here is a quick rundown of the pros and cons of adding barbecue sauce during cooking versus after:
Pros of Adding During Cooking:
– Allows sauce flavors to meld into the burger patties
– Creates caramelized, charred sauce flavors
– Saves time since you don’t have to sauce burgers after cooking
Cons of Adding During Cooking:
– Sugar in sauce can burn if added too early
– Can make burger patties fall apart if handled too much
– Hard to control sauce coverage and thickness
Pros of Adding After Cooking:
– Avoids burning or overcaramelizing the sauce
– Keeps burger patties intact while grilling
– Can control sauce amount and coverage
Cons of Adding After Cooking:
– Doesn’t allow sauce flavors to penetrate patties
– Requires extra step of saucing burgers after cooking
– Sauce doesn’t caramelize or char
Factors to Consider
There are a few key factors to consider when deciding when to add barbecue sauce:
Sugar Content – Sauces with higher sugar content are more likely to burn if added early in cooking. Read the label and look for words like sugar, honey, molasses.
Meat Type – Delicate meats like chicken or fish need sauce added later. Burgers can handle earlier sauce better.
Grill Time – If cooking quickly over high heat, add sauce later. For slower grilling or smoking, earlier sauce is ok.
Patty Thickness – Thin smash burgers need late sauce to avoid falling apart. Thick patties can handle earlier sauce.
Caramelization – Want those nice charred sauce bits? Add sauce during last few minutes of grilling.
Sauce Coverage – Adding later gives more control over sauce amount. During cooking can make precise coverage difficult.
General Guidelines
Based on the factors above, here are some general recommendations for when to add barbecue sauce to burgers:
For Smashed Thin Burgers:
Add sauce during last 1-2 minutes of cooking only. This prevents burning and holds the delicate patties together on the grill.
For Thicker Burgers:
Sauce can be added earlier, after patties have firmed up and formed a crust. Try during last 3-4 minutes of grilling.
For Charred, Caramelized Sauce:
Coat patties during final 2 minutes on grill. Quick sauce application prevents burning but gives a nice char.
For More Sauce Control:
Wait to brush or drizzle sauce on burgers after they come off the grill. This allows for evenly coated burgers.
For Smoking or Slow Grilling:
Sauce can go on with 15-20 minutes left in the cook. The low heat prevents burning.
Recipe Recommendations
To see the guidelines in action, here are a few burger recipes with recommended sauce timing:
Smoked BBQ Bacon Burgers
– 1 lb ground chuck patties, 6-8 oz each, smashed thin
– Favorite barbecue sauce
– 4 strips bacon, cooked until crisp
Smoke patties over low indirect heat for 8-10 minutes. Add sauce during last 2 minutes. Top with crumbled bacon after cooking.
Classic Backyard Burgers
– 1.5 lbs ground chuck patties, 8-10 oz each, 1 inch thick
– Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
– Burger buns
Grill patties over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes per side. Add sauce during last 2-3 minutes of grilling time. Serve on buns.
BBQ Bacon Jam Burgers
– 1 lb ground sirloin patties, 6 oz each, smashed thin
– Onion bacon jam
– Jalapeño slices
Grill patties 2-3 minutes per side over high heat. Top with jam and jalapeños during last minute on grill.
Conclusion
Adding barbecue sauce to burgers while they cook can add great flavor when done properly. Be mindful of the sauce sugar content, patty thickness, and total grill time when deciding when to baste burgers. Following the general tips in this article will help prevent burning while maximizing the delicious marriage of barbecue sauce and juicy grilled burgers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you put BBQ sauce on burgers before or after cooking?
Both methods work, but sauce is best added in the last few minutes of grilling to prevent burning. Thinner smash burgers need late sauce. Thick patties can handle sauce a bit earlier in the cook.
Does BBQ sauce help burgers caramelize?
Yes, the sugars in the sauce can react with amino acids in the meat to boost caramelization and browning through the Maillard reaction. Apply sauce at the end for the best char.
What kind of BBQ sauce is best on burgers?
Sweet tomato-based sauces pair well with beef. Choose a sauce without too much sugar to avoid burning. Tangy vinegar sauces or spicy chili sauces also work great.
Should you sauce both sides of the burger patty?
Saucing just the top side is fine, especially if cooking over high heat. For smoking or slower grilling, coating both sides in sauce can infuse more flavor.
How long do you grill burgers with BBQ sauce?
Cook 2-4 minutes per side without sauce first to get a sear. Add sauce during the last 1-2 minutes to caramelize but not burn. Total grill time is 6-10 minutes for 1/2 inch patties.
Key Takeaways
– Adding BBQ sauce too early can lead to burning due to the sugar content. Wait until the end of grilling for best results.
– Thinner smashed burgers need sauce in the final minutes only. Thick patties can handle sauce a bit earlier during cooking.
– Sauce added at the end will caramelize and char for great flavor without overcooking.
– For more control over sauce thickness and coverage, consider adding after burgers come off the grill.
– Consider the sauce flavor, patty thickness, grill temperature, and total cook time when deciding when to baste burgers.