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Here’s the Only Way You Should Eat a Burger. Hint: You’re Probably Not Doing It Right!

You just pulled that juicy, perfectly cooked hamburger off the grill or out of the cast-iron skillet. You placed it on the bottom of the pillowy roll and layered on sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, ripe tomato, tangy pickle slices and a dollop of special sauce. This hamburger looks like it belongs on your Instagram grid, and you’re practically drooling. You go in for the first bite, and suddenly the toppings slide out, sauce drips down your wrist and the bun collapses.

Nightmare? Definitely. Preventable? Absolutely. Believe it or not, there’s a right way to eat a hamburger, and it’s not the way most of us do it. Want proof? Upscale chains like Shake Shack and In-N-Out have been serving their burgers this way for years.

For the lowdown on this not-so-secret technique to keeping your burgers intact and mess-free at home or on the go, I turned to Sef González—better known as Burger Beast—a Miami food blogger, author and all-around burger enthusiast. Let’s dig in.

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How should you eat a burger?

Don’t unwrap your burger fully—keep it half wrapped. “Long before Shake Shack served wrapped burgers in a little bag, In-N-Out wrapped their burgers. Lots of California drive-throughs hand you a burger still in its wrapper,” says González. “They expect you to eat it in the car, so it’s handed over ready to go. That wrapper is part of the experience.”

And In-N-Out and Shake Shack aren’t the only ones. Five Guys, Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box and even regional fast-food chains like Southern California’s Original Tommy’s (one of González’s faves, known for its “phenomenal chili burger”) all serve their burgers in a paper or foil wrap or sleeve for your eating convenience.

What’s the benefit of eating a burger this way?

There are actually several benefits to eating a burger half-wrapped.

  • It’s portable: “The burger is the ultimate handheld food,” says González. “You can’t eat lasagna while driving, but you can eat a burger in the car if it’s wrapped right.”
  • It’s easier to hold: A half-wrap gives you grip without squishing the bun or patty, so the burger keeps its structure from first bite to last.
  • Toppings stay in place: “If you unwrap the whole thing, you’re asking for disaster,” he says. “The cheese, lettuce, tomato, sauce—all of it wants to slip out the back.
  • It’s neater: Juicy patties and condiments can leak; the wrapper is there to catch everything, including the drips. “You don’t end up with greasy hands or a shirt full of ketchup.”

How can you wrap burgers at home?

Homemade burgers can get messy and fall apart too. To prevent that, keep everything intact and catch all the drips, wrap them like the restaurants do. Here’s how (see this video on TikTok).

@problemsolved Keep your hands clean and your burger intact with this simple wrapping hack 🍔 #fourthofjuly #burgers #grill #problemsolved ♬ original sound – problemsolved

For the classic half-wrap:

  1. Start with a piece of deli paper, parchment paper or wax paper (or use pre-cut 12-inch squares).
  2. Fold into a triangle.
  3. Place the burger on top of the long side.
  4. Fold in the side corners.
  5. Roll up the bottom.
  6. Tuck the last flap inside.

Entertaining? Line a plastic basket with paper, then add the half-wrapped burger and fries (of course) for individual servings. It makes for easy cleanup, cuts down on waste and feels like a restaurant experience.

So next time you grab or grill a burger, skip the mess. Keep it half-wrapped, enjoy every bite—and you’ll never go back.

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About the expert

  • Sef González, aka Burger Beast, is a Miami-based food blogger, writer and influencer who’s been celebrating comfort food culture since founding BurgerBeast.com in 2008. His blog is a trusted guide to the best burgers and hidden culinary gems in Florida and beyond. Passionate about food history, González created Miami’s Burger Museum, co-wrote All About the Burger, runs events like Croqueta Palooza and the Hamburger House Party, hosts the Burger Beast podcast and has more than 64K followers on Instagram.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

Why Costco Is the Best Place to Buy Beef

The Most Overpriced Fast-Food Chain

The Most Popular Grocery in the U.S.

The post Here’s the Only Way You Should Eat a Burger. Hint: You’re Probably Not Doing It Right! appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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