The BEST Hamburger Recipe

Name: Best Hamburger Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef, (80% lean/20% fat; or ground chuck); 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1½ teaspoons minced garlic; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1½ teaspoons seasoned salt; 4 brioche buns, (toasted); lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced cheese, pickles, sliced onions, bacon, and sliced avocado (optional)

Best Hamburger Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions
How to Make Our Best Hamburger Recipe
Best Hamburger Recipe Recipe
Recipe FAQ
Complete The Meal

Grilling hamburgers is a classic American summer tradition and one we LOVE. Time and time again, we turn to our favorite BEST hamburger recipe!

Hamburgers are an especially popular dinner during patriotic holidays, sporting events, parties, AND countless Merkley gatherings. We love to grill!

Not only is this perfect burger extremely flavorful and delicious, but it’s always easy and quick to make. Seasoning and forming the patties only takes about 10 minutes, and they cook quickly. You’re ready to sink your teeth in – in no time at all!

Enjoy this best hamburger recipe with our favorite fries and watermelon for one of our favorite meals!

Why we think you’ll love it:

A classic. Pair this favorite grilled dinner with classic BBQ side dishes like Fried Zucchini, Easy Coleslaw, or Homemade Potato Salad.
Perfect every time. We’ve included plenty of tips and step-by-step directions for the best hamburger every time!
Pile it high. Top burgers with your favorite sauces and toppings like Chipotle Ranch or Chick Fil A Sauce.

Best Hamburger Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions

1½ pounds ground beef – 80/20% fat; or ground chuck. A little fat makes the most flavorful, juicy patties. For a rare cook, use leaner ground beef. For a well-done burger, use ground beef with a higher fat content so that it doesn’t dry out.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1½ teaspoons minced garlic – see How to Mince Garlic
½ teaspoon pepper
1½ teaspoons seasoned salt
4 brioche buns, toasted – Brioche or potato buns are a family favorite for hamburgers, but any type will work. Be sure the hamburger buns match the size of the burger patties.
optional toppings – lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, onions, bacon, and avocado
optional condiments – mayo, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or relish

Raw hamburger and seasonings in a mixing bowl.

How to Make Our Best Hamburger Recipe

PREP. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or 375°F.
PATTIES. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined (do not overmix).
- Divide this mixture into fourths and shape into patties using your hands. The patties should be about ¾ inch thick.
- Use the back of a spoon to make an indent in the middle of each patty. This will prevent it from puffing up too much in the middle while cooking. Sprinkle patties with seasoning salt.
GRILL. Add burgers to the grill and cook for 3-3 ½ minutes per side for a medium burger. The internal temperature should be 130°F for medium rare, 140°F for medium, or 150°F for medium well.
SERVE. Place on a toasted bun and top with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

To keep the center from puffing out, don’t forget to make an indention in the middle of the patty with a spoon.
We prefer 80/20 or 85/15 ground chuck when grilling because the extra fat makes the most flavorful, juicy patties.
The size of the patties will shrink as they cook, so shape them slightly larger than the burger bun.
We make 4 thick and juicy burgers with this recipe, but you can easily shape 6-7 thinner patties.

Cook in a Skillet on the Stove

Cast iron skillets work best for burgers, but any frying pan will do.

Preheat the pan over medium-high heat.
Once hot, add 2-3 patties to the pan and do not overcrowd.
The hot skillet will create a nice sear on the outside while allowing you to cook the patties to the desired internal temperature. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side for a medium cook.
If the outside burns before you reach the right internal temperature, turn down the heat of the burner.

5 from 37 votes

Best Hamburger Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

This is the BEST Hamburger recipe for grilling up a juicy American classic. You'll have a perfect burger every time!

Servings: 4 hamburgers

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Equipment

meat thermometer

Ingredients

▢ 1½ pounds ground beef, 80% lean/20% fat; or ground chuck
▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
▢ 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
▢ 1½ teaspoons seasoned salt
▢ 4 brioche buns, toasted

Toppings

▢ lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced cheese, pickles, sliced onions, bacon, and sliced avocado optional

Instructions

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or to 375°F.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined (do not overmix).
Divide the mixture into fourths and shape into patties using your hands. The patties should be about ¾ inch thick. Use the back of a spoon to make an indent in the middle of each patty to keep it from puffing up too much in the middle while cooking. Sprinkle patties with seasoned salt.
Add burgers to the grill and cook for 3–3 ½ minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches about 140°F for a medium burger.
Place each burger on a toasted bun and serve with your favorite toppings.

Video

Notes

Doneness guide: Measuring the internal temperature is the best way to gauge your burger’s doneness. Cook to:

130°F (54°C) for medium-rare (totally pink and warm)
140°F (60°C) for medium (strand of pink, starting to dry out)
150°F (66°C) for medium-well (grayish-pink, significantly drier)

To pan fry. A cast-iron skillet works best for pan-frying burgers. Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in the pan over high heat. When you put the burgers in, they should immediately sizzle. Cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes on each side.

Prep ahead of time. Form the ground beef into patties and keep them covered in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Separate each patty with wax paper or place each patty in a fold-top sandwich bag so they don’t stick together.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger, Calories: 798kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 53g, Saturated Fat: 24g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 264mg, Sodium: 1425mg, Potassium: 501mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 725IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How do I toast the hamburger buns?

Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on the inside of each bun.
Sprinkle on a little garlic salt for extra flavor. Heat a skillet on the stove and place the buns, butter side down, on the skillet. Toast them for 30-60 seconds or until golden brown.
Alternatively, place the buns on a baking sheet with the buttered side facing up. Broil the buns until lightly golden and toasted, about 1 minute.

Make ahead of time?

Form the hamburger patties and keep them covered in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze them for up to 4 months. Separate each patty with wax paper or place each patty in a fold-top sandwich bag so they don’t stick together.

How to keep your burgers warm?

If you have access to an oven, turn it to 200°F. As the burgers finish cooking, place them on a tray in the oven and cover with foil. Or place an aluminum tray over indirect heat in the grill. Place the cooked burger in the tray and cover with foil.

How to store?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.