If you are like me, Summer isn’t quite Summer until you smell those first hamburgers grilling on a warm afternoon. The best thing is, like all good lazy Summer food, these little packets of flavor super-easy to make. Grab a pound of ground chuck and a bag of buns, fire up the grill and in no time you are enjoying a true taste of the season. But, even though they are super-easy to make you can mess them up just as easily. Be sure to avoid these 5 common burger mistakes weekend grillers make.

The best part — These 5 mistakes are super-easy to avoid.

The Big 5 Mistakes of Grilling Burgers

These are listed in order from start to finish of the burger grilling process.

Mistake #1. Buying Inferior Quality Meat

Simple solution to this one. Skip the “who-knows-what’s-in-there” package of ground meat and pick up the ground chuck instead. Better yet, pick out a nice piece of chuck or even steak and ask your butcher to grind it for you. That way you are 100% sure of what is in your burger.

Mistake #2. Picking Meat That Doesn’t Have Enough Fat

I know that we all want — and need — to eat healthier and less fat. But trust me when I tell you — This is NOT the right place to do it. Meat that doesn’t have enough fat ground with it will produce dry, tough burgers. Look for meat with at least 15 to 20% fat content — or, as many producers like to say on the the label, 80 to 85% lean meat.

Mistake #3. Working the Raw Patties Too Much

The perfectly packed burger should be loose. This creates a very juicy burger. Working the meat too much while you are forming the raw patties into burger will result in dry and hard results.

Mistake #4. Flipping the Burgers Too Often on the Grill

You should turn the burgers ONE time. Cook the first side — Flip — Cook the second side.

Mistake #5. The Absolute Worst and Most Common Mistake of Them All — Smashing Down the Burgers While They are on the Grill

Press down on the burgers — like everyone else — ONLY if you like your burgers dry and tough. What do you think is running out of them when you press down? That’s your juice and your flavor.

Just don’t do it. Don’t.

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