From burgers to chicken and fish, throwing something on the grill is an easy summer dinner. But how long should they be grilled for? This guide will help alleviate some of the “Is it cooked?” stress from grilling. Exact times will vary due to the thickness but the following is a great starting point.
Burgers
Pre-heat the grill pretty high – 450-550F – when grilling burgers. Cooking at that temperature will create a delicious crust on the outside. Once on the grill, close the lid and step away. Do not press down or flatten the meat. It will result in a less juicy burger. Only flip one time halfway through cooking too.
- Rare: 5 minutes
- Medium Rare: 7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Well Done: 10 minutes
Chicken
Thighs and breasts are two popular cuts of chicken to grill. Make sure to cook over medium heat (350-450F). If the temperature is too high it will cause the outside to cook before the middle gets to 165F. Always check the internal temperature with a thermometer before serving.
- Chicken Thighs (Boneless): 5-6 minutes per side
- Chicken Breast (Boneless): 5-6 minutes per side
Fish
Don’t fear cooking fish on the grill. Make sure the grates are properly pre-heated (450-550F) before placing any fish on them. Since fish is delicate, only flip once halfway through cooking. When done, it will release from the grates.
- Fillet/Steak: 8 minutes
- Shrimp (large): 5 minutes
- Scallops: No more than 5 minutes
Pork
Don’t worry about serving tough pork if these cooking guidelines are followed. Medium heat is best – between 350 – 450F – since it’s lean and easy to overcook.
- Pork Chop: 8-12 minutes, flipping once
- Tenderloin: 20-30 minutes, turning occasionally
Steak
High heat is best when grilling steak – 450-500F – to seal in the juices and ensure beautiful grill marks. Set it and forget it. Don’t open the lid or flip too many times. Steaks only need to be flipped once during the cooking process.
- Rare: 8 minutes
- Medium Rare: 9 minutes
- Medium 10 minutes
- Well Done: 14 minutes
Want all of this information handy? Save our How Long to Grill… infographic to your recipe box.