The art of cooking contains many rules that have been passed down over the years. Some, like the five-second rule, have been revealed to be myths upon closer inspection — while others, like the rule of threes for grilling steak, can help you perfect your craft. A rule that falls into the latter camp is the 5-6-7 rule, which, when done correctly, can yield the perfect medium burger every time.

David “Chef Fig” Figueroa, grill expert and co-founder of Melinda’s Foods, told Food Republic that this is a go-to rule when grilling thick burgers. “It means five minutes on one side, six on the other, and seven minutes resting. If your patties are about half an inch thick, this method gives you a solid medium burger without needing a thermometer,” he informed us. Cook your burgers following this directive over medium heat with the lid down and marvel at the consistent perfect medium your burgers achieve