How To Easily Fix An Overcooked Burger

Throwing a burger on the grill is one of the best things to do when the weather is nice — and with plenty of unique burger recipes out there, it's a satisfying and flavorful meal that never gets old. But even the best of us can get distracted for a minute too long, leaving us with an overcooked patty. Luckily, Silvio Correa, grill master at Silvio's BBQ in Southern California, shared a very easy tip with us.

"I work hard to never let a burger dry out! But if it happens, a great fix is topping it with Brazilian vinaigrette — it brings a burst of flavor and moisture," Correa told The Takeout. Brazilian vinaigrette is a condiment that's similar to pico de gallo, featuring a mix of finely diced ingredients like tomato, onion, bell peppers, oil, vinegar, and parsley. It's a great way to fix a dry burger because the oil and tomato will reintroduce moisture as it soaks into the meat. It will also add flavorful complexity from the tangy vinegar and fresh herbs — which is perfect for masking any overly charred parts of the patty.

Rather than just introducing moisture to a burger in the form of a topping, you can also try rehydrating it by briefly dipping it into a warm broth. This will allow it to soak up some of the liquid, but just make sure you use a broth with complementary flavors so the taste of the beef still shines through. Adding a creamy sauce is also a good way to cover up some of the dryness. Think mayo, ranch dressing, or aioli sauce – anything with a higher fat content that can add moisture to the patty. 

If, however, your burger is so dry it's past the point of redemption, there are also a few creative ways to repurpose it. Silvio Correa gave us a couple of easy suggestions: "Chop it up and make a delicious stir-fry, or mix it into a hash with potatoes and eggs." In addition, you can add chopped burger meat to a soup, allowing it to soak up the broth while giving the soup some extra protein. You can also use burger meat for taco night – just simmer it in salsa or a tomato-based sauce to rehydrate it first. So next time your burger is a little too well done, use one of these creative tips to save the day.