Tasty Burgers I’ve Ever Made On Kamado Joe Grill

Burgers are one of the most popular fast foods and the Kamado Joe can be a great charcoal grill for cooking burgers. The Kamado Joe is a ceramic egg-shaped grill that provides excellent heat retention and airflow control allowing you to cook burgers that are juicy on the inside with a crispy char on the outside. 

In this guide, we’ll cover how to cook delicious burgers on a Kamado Joe grill from start to finish including tips on meats, prep, temperature control, and serving.

Benefits of Cooking on Kamado Joe Grill

• The ceramic construction of Kamado Joe provides excellent heat retention and distribution for highly-even cooking. So, food cooks properly.
• The Kamado grill keeps food juicier, resulting in a better-tasting experience.
• Kamado Joe can grill, smoke and roast almost any type of food ranging from 225F to 750F+ temperatures. This allows you to cook almost any type of food.
• The ceramic material used in Kamado Joe grills is highly efficient at trapping and radiating heat. This makes them a great choice for people who want to save money on their fuel costs.
• Hardwood lump charcoal burns clean without lighter fluid flavours.
• The thick ceramic construction of this mug will last for years without rusting or showing signs of wear.

Step-by-step Guide

Meat Selection

The first step is choosing the perfect burger meat. Use 80/20 ground chuck with a decent fat content for juicy and flavorful burgers. Ground sirloin can be a good option if you prefer less fat. If you like the beefiest flavour, try using ground brisket or short ribs. 

You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or lamb. Just make sure the meat should be freshly ground. Because pre-formed patties won’t cook the same.

Burger Prep

Shape the meat into evenly sized patties about 4-5 ounces each and 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. If you do not know about making burger patties, you can watch any video on YouTube on how to make a burger patty. 

Avoid overworking the meat. For seasoning, just use salt and pepper but you can also add other spices and herbs like garlic powder etc. Let the patties rest at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before grilling. This helps them cook more evenly.

Lighting the Kamado Joe

The unique shape and design of the Kamado Joe allows it to hold heat and cook at a range of temperatures. It takes a bit more time to light than a gas or charcoal grill. Remove the cooking grates and plates to let heat circulate freely. Open the bottom and top vents fully and load the charcoal up to the fire line. 

Use lump charcoal for best results as it burns hotter and gives a wood smoky flavour. You can use a chimney starter to get the charcoal hot before transferring it to the grill. Let the grill heat up, closing the lid, for about 15-20 minutes until the thermometer reads 225-250°F. 

Add wood chunks if desired for extra smoke flavour.

Grilling the Burgers

First, clean the grates by using a brush. Carefully place the patties directly over the charcoal. Let them cook untouched for 2-3 minutes so they develop a good crust. Use a spatula to flip them and cook for another 2-3 minutes. This gives you a perfect medium of doneness.

You can also take advantage of the 2-zone fire setup on the Kamado Joe. Pile charcoal on one side only and cook the burgers over direct heat before moving them to the cooler side to finish cooking. This helps render fat and improves the flavour. Always close the dome lid while cooking.

The ideal temperature for cooking burgers on a Kamado Joe is 400-450°F. This gives you a nice sear while keeping the interior juicy. 

Check the internal temperature of the burgers using an instant-read thermometer if unsure of doneness. 135-140°F is medium rare. 145-150°F is medium. Cook to 160°F for well done. Let burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Burgers deserve soft, flaky buns. Lightly toast the insides directly on the grill for a minute or two during the last few minutes of burger cooking. Layer the bottom bun with your favourite condiments and toppings like cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, etc. Add the juicy hot burger patty on top and finish it off with the top bun.

For extra flavour, butter or mayo the toasted buns. You can also brush or drizzle a bit of barbecue sauce onto the patties as they finish cooking to get a sweet, sticky glaze. Serve the burgers on the side with classics like potato salad, coleslaw, fries or potato chips. Now take a big tasty bite out of your incredible grilled burger!

Some Tips to Grill Burgers on Kamado Joe

• Let the charcoal preheat fully before cooking. 
• Use the right thickness of patties – 1/2 to 3/4 inch is ideal. Thinner patties can dry out.
• Don’t press down on the patties while they cook. This squeezes out the juices.
• Try adding a few wood chunks to the charcoal for extra smoke flavour. Hickory, oak and pecan work well.
• Flip the burgers gently and only once during cooking.
• Avoid flare-ups. Move burgers temporarily to a cooler area if needed.
• Brush the patties with a seasoning glaze or sauce as they finish cooking for a little extra flavour.
• Top with your favourite cheese slices during the last minute of cooking to melt the cheese.
• Set up a 2-zone fire for indirect cooking if wanting less charring.
• Try to make a note of cook times and temperatures for perfect results next time.

FAQs

Final Words

The Kamado Joe is one of the best choices for grilling juicy, flavorful burgers. Follow these tips on meat selection, proper burger prep, lighting the charcoal, setting up a 2-zone fire, and controlling grill temperature and doneness for cooking the perfect burger every time. You can make great burgers all summer long with a little practice. Fire up the Kamado Joe and make the tasty burgers now!