Here’s Why You Should Never Forget to Give Your Homemade Burgers a Dimple Before Cooking Them

There’s nothing more disappointing than pulling your homemade burger off the grill, only to find it has shrunk into a sad, dome-shaped patty. You followed the recipe, seasoned the meat perfectly, but somewhere along the way, something went wrong. The culprit? You forgot to make a dimple. Yes, that small, often overlooked step is the key to preventing your burger from turning into a shrunken, dry disappointment. Here’s why you should never skip making a dimple in your burger before cooking.

Prevent the Burger from Shrinking

Ground beef has a habit of shrinking when exposed to high heat. The fat renders, the protein contracts, and before you know it, your beautifully shaped patty has become a shadow of its former self. By making a dimple in the center of the patty, you give the burger room to expand evenly, ensuring it holds its size and shape as it cooks. Without it, the burger can contract into a smaller, thicker patty that not only looks less appetizing but also cooks unevenly. A well-placed dimple allows the meat to spread out instead of bunching up, keeping your burger closer to the size you started with.

Keep It Flat for Optimal Cooking

One of the biggest frustrations with homemade burgers is that they often puff up in the center, leading to an uneven cook. This results in a burger that’s thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, which can be difficult to cook to the right doneness without overcooking parts of it. When you make a dimple in the patty, it helps the burger cook flat, preventing that unwanted dome from forming. The result? A patty that is evenly thick across the surface, making for a more consistent cooking experience, and ultimately, a juicier, more satisfying bite.

Achieve Better Texture and Juiciness

Let’s face it: nobody wants a dry burger. Skipping the dimple not only messes with the shape but also affects the texture and moisture of the patty. As the meat shrinks and thickens in the middle, the edges cook faster than the center, often leaving the burger dry on the outside while still undercooked inside. The dimple helps regulate the cooking process, ensuring the heat penetrates the meat evenly. This results in a patty that’s juicy all the way through, with that perfect balance of a slightly crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful center.

Avoid the Burger Bulge

That annoying bulge in the middle of your burger? It’s more than just an aesthetic problem—it can make it harder to stack toppings and create an even bite. A burger that’s puffed up in the middle will push your lettuce, cheese, and onions to the side, making your sandwich messier and more difficult to eat. By making a dimple, you keep the patty flat, which makes assembling your burger a breeze. You’ll get even layers of toppings, no toppling ingredients, and a burger that stays together from the first bite to the last.

What Is a Dimple and How to Make It

So, what exactly is this magical dimple we keep talking about? It’s simple: a slight indentation made in the center of your burger patty before cooking. To make it, all you need to do is form your ground beef into patties as usual, then gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each one, creating a small, shallow depression. The dimple should be about 1/4-inch deep and wide enough to cover the center of the patty without breaking it apart. This tiny trick ensures the burger stays flat, cooks evenly, and retains its juicy goodness.