Ever cook a burger patty and wonder where most of it went? Learn How To Keep Burgers From Shrinking so you can enjoy maximum burger taste after the grill with no waste!

I love making burgers all times of the year but I hate the shrinkage! If you’re wondering why burgers shrink after cooking, its because they are made of both fat and protein and comes in all different shapes and sizes. These tips will show you exactly how to keep your burgers from shrinking after grilling, baking or cooking in a skillet!

🍔5 Ways To Keep Burgers From Shrinking

1️⃣Avoid over-handling: Don’t over mix or knead the burger mixture, as this can make the burgers tough and more likely to shrink. Just mix the ingredients together until they’re combined, and then form into patties.

2️⃣Don’t compress: When forming burger patties, use a light touch so as not to compress the mixture too much. This will also help to keep them from shrinking during cooking.

3️⃣Make a dimple: Before cooking, use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indentation or dimple in the center of each patty. This will help the burgers to cook evenly and prevent them from shrinking too much.

4️⃣Use a higher fat content: A higher fat content in your burger mix will help to keep the burgers moist and prevent them from shrinking too much. A mixture of 80% lean meat to 20% fat is best. Add some extra ground beef, or substitute in some ground pork or lamb for higher fat content.

5️⃣Start with a cold or frozen burger patty: If you start with a cold or frozen burger patty, it will help to keep the burger from shrinking as much during cooking because the heat will not penetrate the center of the patty as quickly.

📖Once cooked, learn how to keep your burger fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days!

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5 from 2 votes

How To Keep Burgers From Shrinking (5 Ways)

Ever cook a burger patty and wonder where most of it went? Learn How To Keep Burgers From Shrinking so you can enjoy maximum burger taste with no waste!

Prep Time10

Course: BBQ, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to keep burgers from shrinking

Servings:

Author: Valerie Skinner

Ingredients

4 Hamburgers

Instructions

Avoid over-handling: Don't over mix or knead the burger mixture, as this can make the burgers tough and more likely to shrink. Just mix the ingredients together until they're combined, and then form into patties.
Don't compress: When forming burger patties, use a light touch so as not to compress the mixture too much. This will also help to keep them from shrinking during cooking.
Make a dimple: Before cooking, use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indentation or dimple in the center of each patty. This will help the burgers to cook evenly and prevent them from shrinking too much.
Use a higher fat content: A higher fat content in your burger mix will help to keep the burgers moist and prevent them from shrinking too much. A mixture of 80% lean meat to 20% fat is best. Add some extra ground beef, or substitute in some ground pork or lamb for higher fat content.
Start with a cold or frozen burger patty: If you start with a cold or frozen burger patty, it will help to keep the burger from shrinking as much during cooking because the heat will not penetrate the center of the patty as quickly.