Summer has arrived and you’re making plans for July 4th. Two things come to mind: fireworks and grilling. Perhaps one of the most iconic and celebrated American holidays, July 4th is one day of the year nearly everyone plans to grill. Potato salad, hot dogs, burgers, chicken and ribs have all been annual staples on this special day, but we feel stuffed hamburgers are one of the best choices for your 4th of July grilling recipes. In this post we’ll give you some tips, tricks and pointers on how to make stuffed burgers.

Meat: The Important Stuff

Choose your meat carefully. Use a ground meat that isn’t too lean; leaner meats can dry out quickly and are less likely to hold all of your ingredients. Ground beef that is 80/20 is a good bet. If you’re going to use ground turkey or chicken you’ll want to bind your meat a little bit with bread crumbs so it doesn’t fall apart. A blend of meats is also great way to add a richer flavor. Try a combination of beef, pork or even lamb.

How to Stuff-A-Burger

If you really want to make your guests happy, set out a tray of pre-cut ingredients and allow them to choose their desired “stuffings”. If they are extra ambitious, allow your guests to stuff their own burger before passing it along to the grill-master. Keep in mind this may require more than one Stuff-A-Burger® Press!

Step 1: Place 1/2 lb. of ground meat into the Stuff-A-Burger Press and use the small side of the lid to form a well for toppings.

Step 2: Fill the center with desired toppings (2-3 tablespoons).

Step 3: Place 1/4 lb. of ground meat on top. You can use the inside of the lid to form the top layer.

Step 4: Use the flat side of the lid to seal the burger.

Grilling Stuffed Burgers

When it’s time to cook, make sure your grill is preheated and hot! The stuffed burgers will be thicker than your average burger so they will take longer to grill. If you’re grilling burgers for a group of people, we recommend using the Stuff-A-Burger Basket that is designed for extra-thick stuffed burgers. The basket allows you to grill and flip four stuffed burgers at once.

Once you put the patties on the grill, let them cook until each side is brown. Turning the burgers prematurely can loosen the seal. Patties should cook through until the middle reaches 165°F (74°C). When burgers are done, remove them from the grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Stuffed Burger Resources

Hop on over to our recipe section to view our All-American or Salsiccia stuffed burger recipe to include in your 4th of July menu. If you’d like more variety in burger options, check out The Charcoal Companion® Stuffed Burger Recipe Book. It is the ultimate collection of the biggest, fullest burger recipes. You can also pick from a variety of Stuff-A-Burger Sets that include the Press & Basket, Press & Book, or the Press, Basket & Book.

You can also see how much fun we had in the office with our Stuffed Burger party; then get started planning your own!

Stuffed Burger Video

For a quick overview on how to make stuffed burgers and the Charcoal Companion Stuff-A-Burger products, watch Sarah’s demonstration.

Now go and stuff it!

Niki Gross

Niki is the Marketing Communications Manager for The Companion Group. She is responsible for marketing and communications strategies, from advertising to websites. She is a wife, mother, yogi, and lover of cheeseburgers, proper grammar and a strong work ethic!