🔧 Burger Troubleshooting
Something went wrong with your burgers? Find the exact cause and fix below — or let the Burger Problem Solver walk you through it with a few questions.
Browse every burger problem
Why Do My Burgers Fall Apart?
Your patties crack, crumble, or break apart while cooking or flipping.
See the fix →Why Are My Burgers Dry?
The burgers you just cooked came out dry, crumbly, or mealy instead of juicy.
See the fix →Why Do Burgers Shrink?
Your cooked patties come off the heat noticeably smaller and thicker than the raw patties you formed.
See the fix →Why Do Burgers Puff Up in the Middle?
Your patties swell into a dome or ball in the center, so toppings slide off and the burger won't sit flat on the bun.
See the fix →Why Do Burgers Stick to the Grill?
Patties weld to the grill grates and tear apart when you try to lift or flip them.
See the fix →Why Do Smash Burgers Stick to the Griddle?
Your smashed patties glue to the griddle and the crust rips off when you try to scrape them up.
See the fix →Why Are My Smash Burgers Not Crispy?
Your smash burgers come out pale, soft, and greasy instead of dark, lacy, and crisp at the edges.
See the fix →Why Is My Burger Raw in the Middle?
The outside is browned but the center of the patty is still red, cold, or mushy and under-done.
See the fix →Why Does My Burger Cheese Not Melt?
The cheese on your burger sits there stiff and cold instead of going gooey and draping over the patty.
See the fix →Why Do My Burger Buns Get Soggy?
Your bun went wet and mushy and started falling apart before you finished the burger.
See the fix →Should You Add Egg to Burger Meat?
You're wondering whether to mix a beaten egg into your burger meat to hold it together.
See the fix →When Should You Salt Burgers?
You're not sure whether to salt the beef ahead of time, when forming, or right before cooking.
See the fix →How to Prevent Grill Flare-Ups
Flames leap up under your burgers and blacken or char the outside while they cook.
See the fix →Can a Cooked Burger Still Be Pink?
Your burger reached temperature but still looks pink inside, and you're unsure whether it's safe.
See the fix →How Long Can Raw Ground Beef Stay in the Fridge?
You've got raw ground beef in the fridge and need to know how long it's still safe to use.
See the fix →Can You Refreeze Hamburger Meat?
You thawed hamburger meat, didn't use it all, and want to know if you can put it back in the freezer.
See the fix →Why Are My Burgers Tough?
Your burgers come out dense, springy, rubbery, or chewy instead of tender and juicy.
See the fix →Why Do My Burgers Taste Bland?
Your burgers taste flat and under-seasoned even though they're cooked through.
See the fix →No problems in that category yet.