The BEST hamburger recipe that’s super simple and tastes absolutely delicious! This grilling classic is perfect for summer cookouts or get-togethers and makes the most juicy homemade hamburger patty that’s filled with tons of flavor.
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Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
You can’t beat a good hamburger in the summer. It’s always the first thing my family requests when we fire up the grill. Sometimes we keep it healthy and make turkey burgers, but a big, juicy beef hamburger recipe definitely has my heart.
Grilling is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family for a big ol’ BBQ. After you make this hamburger patty recipe, you’ll never go back to frozen patties again. This easy recipe with ground beef is just SO good!
The hamburgers are meaty, juicy and have the perfect amount of rich flavor. Melt some cheese on top for the best cheeseburger or add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles (or desired toppings) for a delicious burger that can’t be beat. Or skip the bun and make a low carb lettuce wrap burger or burger in a bowl. Your choice!
Homemade Hamburger Recipe Ingredients
The secret to a juicy burger patty is the addition of BBQ sauce! It not only adds flavor but moisture, too! Here is what else you need for the best homemade hamburgers.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: For the best juicy hamburgers, I love to use meat that is 20% fat (not lean). Ground chuck is also a great choice, but more pricey.
- BBQ sauce: I love my homemade BBQ sauce but your favorite store-bought sauce or even steak sauce can be used.
- 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
It’s simple and quick to make a restaurant-quality hamburger from scratch at home in your own kitchen or on the grill!
- Combine. Combine ground beef, BBQ sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Mix and form. 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.
- Grill. Place burgers on a preheated grill set to medium-high heat and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and then cook an additional 4-5 minutes, or until juices run clear. You can also use a meat thermometer for accuracy. A medium burger should register an internal temp of 140°F.
- Serve. Serve on hamburger buns with your favorite toppings.
Expert Tips for Juicy Burgers
- 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, 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 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
FAQs
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. You don’t need to add much…only about 2 Tablespoons per every 1.5 pounds of beef. You can even use steak sauce or ketchup instead, but I just love the flavor that BBQ sauce adds.
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 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.
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 cookout dinners? Try these grilled steak kabobs, BBQ chicken foil packets or BBQ pork sandwich!
More Delicious Burger Recipes
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Best Hamburger Recipe
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.
Video
Notes
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- Make sure to use 80/20 ground beef. The fat helps bind the meat together.
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- 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.
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- 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!
These hamburgers really are so juicy and flavorful. Can’t beat homemade!
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
Family really enjoyed these! I used one tbsp ketchup and 1 BBQ.
Great hamburger recipe!
Very good and very easy. This is now my go-to method of making hamburgers.
I’m so glad to hear it’s become your go-to! Thank you for your comment Karen! :)
It’s true that it’s so juicy and tasty! The BBQ Sauce made the recipe special and delicious, thank you I’ll definitely be making this again this week!
These are sooo delicious and so simple! We’re obsessed!! Thanks for sharing!
Very tasty. Good recipe I’ll make these again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Made these last night and they where a big hit in my household!
I’m so glad they were a hit!
I am going to have to try this soon! :) Usually I add steak sauce, salt, & pepper to my burger meat, but this sounds yummy too.
This looks like a recipe for alllll the summer BBQs! What a great burger!
These look like the PERFECT hamburgers!
Hamburger perfection, and now I’m craving one!
This looks like a new favorite for weeknights! Yum!
Yummy! My family will be having tons of burgers this summer!
Give me all of this. Love this!