Gordon Ramsay has outlined a simple method he says will produce a "perfect" burger patty, offering cooking tips as he teams with Burger King to promote the chain’s new menu item, The Wagyu.
Ramsay, 58, recommended searing an average-sized patty for two minutes on each side, then resting it before assembly. He said cooks who want melted cheese should turn off the heat, place the cheese on the cooked patty, cover the pan and allow residual heat to complete the melt. "By the time you've assembled your burger, the cheese will be melted. Absolutely always rest your burger!" he said, while also describing cheese as not his personal go-to topping. He called a fried egg an "underrated" addition, praising its "oozy texture and flavour." Ramsay also criticised the air fryer, calling the appliance "ridiculous," though he acknowledged family members still use one at home.
The cooking tips were disclosed as Burger King unveiled The Wagyu, a burger that features a British wagyu patty, onions prepared three ways, rocket and a brioche bun. The chain has priced the item at £11. Ramsay said he "wishes" he had created the burger and pushed back against the idea that all fast food is low quality, calling that a "myth" and saying his takeaway "pet peeve" is when kitchens "cut corners on quality." He added: "If you're going to serve a burger, make sure it's done properly - great beef, great build, great flavour."
Ramsay provided precise cooking guidance aimed at home cooks: sear two minutes per side for an average burger, allow a resting period, and if adding cheese, rely on the pan’s residual heat covered by a lid to achieve a chef-quality melt. He said personal preference still governs final doneness and that some diners will prefer medium or well-done burgers.
The partnership with Burger King puts Ramsay’s culinary voice behind a mainstream fast-food launch at a time when chains are increasingly highlighting premium ingredients and limited-edition offerings. The Wagyu’s use of British wagyu and multiple preparation techniques for onions aligns with broader trends in the sector toward premiumisation and new product storytelling.
Ramsay’s comments also touched on household cooking habits. He expressed frustration with certain popular appliances but conceded that family choices influence what stays in his kitchen. His guidance on searing and resting echoes long-standing culinary advice promoted by many chefs and food writers who stress initial high heat for browning followed by a rest to retain juices.
Burger King’s release of The Wagyu and Ramsay’s public cooking tips underscore the crossover between celebrity chefs and fast-food marketing, a relationship that often brings professional technique into mainstream home cooking conversations. The burger is available now at participating Burger King locations.