Despite the recent recall of some frozen, pre-formed ground beef patties, consumers can eat hamburgers with confidence by following a few simple handling and cooking guidelines. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, consumers should be sure the cooked meat is gray or brown throughout. When cooking at home, potential problems can be alleviated by making sure all ground beef products are cooked until the juices in the center are no longer pink or red.
Thorough cooking destroys potentially harmful bacteria.
You don't have to sacrifice taste or time for safety. The first step in making a perfect burger starts at the supermarket. Choose packages that are cold and well wrapped without tears or punctures. It's also important to defrost home-made frozen patties before cooking. If you cook burgers that are frozen or partly defrosted, they may appear cooked on the outside but not be completely done on the inside.