The BEST hamburger recipe that’s simple and delicious! This grilling classic is perfect for summer cookouts and makes the most juicy homemade hamburger patty that’s filled with tons of flavor.
We love burger recipes. Whether it’s classic burgers, cheeseburger sliders, burger in a bowl or the best cheeseburger, the patties are meaty, juicy and rich in flavor!
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Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
You can’t beat a classic hamburger in the summer. Sometimes we make turkey burgers, but a big, juicy beef hamburger recipe simply made with quality beef and a few seasonings has my heart. The best patties don’t even need fillers like eggs or breadcrumbs!
Grilling is a summertime favorite. There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family for a BBQ. After you make this hamburger patty recipe, you’ll never go back to frozen patties again. This easy recipe with ground beef makes the best grilled burger!
Homemade Hamburger Recipe Ingredients
From steakhouses to diners, the best hamburger recipes like this one and my homemade smash burger only need a few simple ingredients.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: For the best juicy hamburgers, I love to use meat that is 80/20 fat (not lean). Ground chuck is also a great choice, but more pricey.
- BBQ sauce: This is the secret to the flavor and moisture in this homemade hamburger patty is BBQ sauce.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Special sauce (optional): Mayo, ketchup, white vinegar, seasoned salt and dill pickle relish.
Toppings
Choose as many or as little burger toppings to create your own perfect hamburger!
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion slices
- Pickles
- Cheddar cheese
- Pickled onions
- Caramelized onions
- Burger sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Garlic aioli
- Avocado
- Bacon
How to Make The Perfect Hamburger
Combine ground beef, BBQ sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper in a medium bowl.
Using your hands, mix the ground beef mixture until combined and shape into 4 patties about 3/4-inch thick. Make an indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent bulging.
Place burger patties on a preheated grill set to medium-high heat and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and then cook an additional 4-5 minutes. You can also use a meat thermometer for accuracy. A medium burger should register an internal temp of 140°F.
Serve on hamburger buns or make a lettuce wrap burger with your favorite toppings.
Tips for the Best Burgers Ever
- Make sure to use 80/20 ground beef. The fat helps bind the meat together.
- Some people will use 1 egg with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs to help bind their patties, but I like to use BBQ sauce. If I’m feeling fancy sometimes I’ll use teriyaki or steak sauce. You could even use ketchup. The sauce really adds an extra boost of flavor, while helping bind the meat together so the patties don’t fall apart while cooking.
- For even more flavor, mix some hamburger seasoning in with the meat before forming into patties.
- Use a large spatula when flipping, be careful not to press down and don’t flip until the patties have cooked 4-5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
A good old fashioned hamburger only gets better with some classic BBQ sides! This hamburger patty recipe pairs perfectly with:
- Homemade french fries
- Grilled vegetables
- Sweet potato fries
- Baked parmesan potato wedges
- Corn on the cob
- Baked potato
- Broccoli salad
- Pasta salad
- Grilled sweet potatoes
- Vegetable skewers
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
To make ahead of time form ground beef into patties and then store covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. You can also freeze uncooked burgers up to 4 months. Place a piece of wax paper between each burger so they don’t freeze to each other.
Need more grilling recipes? Try these grilled steak kabobs, BBQ chicken foil packets or BBQ pork sandwich!
More Delicious Burger Recipes
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Best Hamburger Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds (80% lean and 20% fat) ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce , or steak sauce
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns , I prefer brioche buns
- slices of American cheese , optional
- butter for toasting , optional
Special sauce
- ¼ cup mayo
- 2-3 Tablespoons ketchup
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- pinch of seasoned salt , I use Lawry's
- dill pickle relish , optional (can add 1-2 Tablespoons)
Optional toppings: Bacon, Lettuce leaves, Tomato slices, Sliced red onion, Pickles
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium high.
- In a medium bowl, using your hands, mix the ground beef, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper just until combined. Shape into 4 3/4-inch thick patties. Using your thumb, make a well in the center of the patties to prevent bulging.
- Place patties on the grill and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until juices run clear. Top with cheese slices, if desired. Cover the grill and cook until cheese has melted. You can also butter your buns and put on the grill the last minute of cooking if desired.
- While the burger are cooking combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl. Mix until combined and set aside.
- Place on buns and top with your favorite toppings to serve.
Notes
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- Make sure to use 80/20 ground beef. The fat helps bind the meat together.
-
- Sauce: I like to use BBQ sauce but you could use ketchup. If I’m feeling fancy sometimes I’ll use teriyaki sauce. The sauce really adds an extra boost of flavor, while helping bind the meat together so the patties don’t fall apart while cooking.
-
- For even more flavor, mix some hamburger seasoning in with the meat before forming into patties.
-
- Use a large spatula when flipping, and don’t flip until the patties have cooked 4 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
FAQs
When considering the best kind of meat for hamburgers, you want to focus on the quality and fat content in the beef. While some might say ground chuck is best, you can still get amazing results using quality beef just from the supermarket! Aim to choose fatty beef that is 80/20. I don’t recommended using 90/10 as it will be too dry.
Two words: BBQ sauce! Not only does it help bind the patties together, but it keeps them super juicy and moist. Plus it adds amazing flavor. I never make homemade hamburgers without it.
It is also a good idea to let your burger rest for a few minutes after removing from the grill. This allows the burger to reabsorb some of its own juices.
Yes, just follow my oven baked hamburger recipe which relies on both high heat and baking on a cooking rack set over a sheet pan to ensure the exterior of the burger still gets nice and crisp.
While I love a binder such as egg, crackers, bread or breadcrumbs in meatloaf or meatballs, a hamburger can hold its shape on its own and does not need a binder for help.
Homemade hamburgers are great for customizing with your favorite spices! Try crushed red pepper for a punch of heat or diced jalapenos. Add some fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley or scallions or try some finely diced onion or shredded cheese.
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, 4th of July, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Beef, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Grilling, Grilling, Reader Favorites, Sandwiches
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
That was great, simple prep and very tasty. Thanks