When to salt and pepper burger--before or after grilling?

[HowlinPup]

Hi, all. This is an embarrassing question--but I am not sure if you are supposed to season burgers before putting them on the grill, or while grilling, or after. It seems I had heard at some point that putting salt on the burger before grilling will cause the meat to dry out, but I don't know if that's right or not.

There are some non-adventurous eaters in the crowd today, and it is definitely a crowd today, so we are just using salt and pepper on all the burgers to keep everybody happy.

Thanks as always!

--Panicked Howlin' Pup

[ipsedixit]

You realize that there's nothing wrong with both, right?

Season it after you grind your meat and form the patty. And once you've bunned the burger, and realize it's a little light on the salt and/or pepper, heck, throw caution to the wind and break out that salt shaker and pepper mill (you are using freshly ground pepper, right?).

[Isolda]

I always do it before, and then afterwards, too, if it still needs s&p.

[rob1234]

I'd salt right before you grill. http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2...

[jaykayen]

before. always, before, for everything. the drying out thing is a myth.

[thew]

supposed to is a funny phrase.

i always salt and pepper before