Homemade Burgers

The Best Burgers are tender, juicy and flavorful, infused with seasonings and either topped with cheese or sandwiched in between toasted cheddar jalapeno buns. I go with the cheesy buns. I’ve included tips and tricks to make the best Homemade Burgers, How to Make Burgers Ahead of Time, and How to Freeze Burgers.

The Best Homemade Burgers on your table in less than 30 Minutes!

Do you ever just crave a good burger?  There’s just something about the juicy meat, melted cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and onions that is just is so magical. It just doesn’t get much better.

I actually didn’t make my first homemade burgers until after I’d been married few years – and to be completely honest, I was kind of shocked at how fast and easy they were – like seriously, done in 15 minutes start to finish.  Shocking – right?!  like in the best kind of fast, easy AND delicious way!

So recently, my friend had a challenge for me…

He said he had tried many different burger recipes and they were all either too dry or too bland.  He wanted a “traditional” burger that was super flavorful and moist and just straight up GOOD! He wanted the Best Burger Recipe.

So Dave Todd, this one’s for you…

This Hamburger Recipe is Magical!

This burger recipe IS super flavorful – infused with garlic, shallots, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.

This burger recipe IS super tender – the meat is blended with egg, Worcestershire sauce and panko.

This burger recipe IS straight up SUPER GOOD!   Extra good from the toasted jalapeno cheese buns and barbecue mayonnaise!  (still “traditional” flavors right? 🙂 )  The cheese and jalapenos are broiled on the buns, so not only do the buns get toasted, but the cheese melts to golden perfection.  The extra “oomph” of toasted cheese buns was all Patrick’s idea. He’s so extra cute when he gets creative in the kitchen!

The heat of the jalapenos (as little or as much as you would like) is balanced by the sweet and tangy barbecue mayonnaise which is mega creamy and somehow more than double the deliciousness of both mayonnaise and barbecue sauce – I guess when you mix the two, exponential deliciousness happens!

Add some fresh tomatoes, lettuce, onions, etc., and you have yourself a winning burger.  Challenge conquered.  Nay.  Challenged crushed!  Way crushed.

Dave Todd, this Best Burger Recipe with Cheddar Jalapeno Buns and BBQ Mayo is for you…

And whoever else wants to stuff their face with this super flavorful, super moist and just straight up SUPER GOOD burgers!!!

Hamburger Recipe ingredients

• Buns: Use whatever your heart desires! Usually, the bakery section will have soft buns such as brioche.
• Beef: I recommend 80/20 ground beef chuck. See below.
• Cheese: Sharp cheddar, gouda, Havarti, Swiss, and pepper Jack are all great choices.
• Jalapeno: This is used to create the jalapeno cheddar buns! Seed the jalapenos if you don’t love heat.
• Patties: One egg and ¼ cup panko hold the burgers together, allowing us to add shallots, garlic and Worcestershire to pump up the flavor.

Best Seasoning for Burgers

Dried oregano, salt, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and pepper are the best seasonings for traditional burgers because they create a well-rounded flavorful profile that elevates and enhances the taste of the meat without overwhelming it. Dried oregano adds a fragrant and herbaceous note, smoked paprika lends a smoky and slightly sweet undertone, cumin offers an earthy and warm spice, pepper adds a touch of heat and salt enhances natural taste of the meat.

What meat makes the best burger?

I recommend ground chuck for the best Beef Burgers although you may substitute ground beef if that’s what you have on hand.  I don’t recommend ground sirloin or ground round as they are leaner, less flavorful and drier.

Ground chuck can easily be found at the butcher counter of any grocery store.  Ground chuck is optimal for flavor, juiciness and texture.  Freshly ground chuck is also optimal because it hasn’t been compressed together in packaging which means more tender beef.

Ask your butcher for 80/20 which means 80% meat and 20% fat.  I find this to be the perfect ratio for a juicy burger that’s not too greasy.

If you choose ground beef, look for 80/20 lean ground beef and avoid anything higher or leaner.  Some ground beef can have 30 percent fat which I find way too greasy.  Leaner than 20% and you are left with tough and dry burgers.

 Also, take care you use QUALITY ground beef, as any combination of cuts can be labeled “ground beef.”

How to make the Best Burger Patty

1. First, add an egg to a large bowl and whisk.  We want to whisk the egg first because we want to handle the mixture as little as possible.
2. Next, add ground chuck, panko, shallot, garlic, Worcestershire, oregano, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt and pepper.  Using clean hands, mix just until combined.  Don’t overmix or you’ll have tough burgers.
3. Divide the meat into 4 equal sections.  You can use a kitchen scale to make sure they are equal, but I just eyeball it.
4. Roll each section into a loose, big meatball, but don’t continue to roll once it takes shape. We don’t want it too compact or overworked or you’ll have a hard burger.
5. Flatten the ball with the palm of your hand.  This will likely make the edges crack, so just push them back together.  Try and make the patties a little larger than your bun because they will shrink while cooking.
6. Make a 1/2” indentation in the middle of each patty with your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon. This will help the burgers cook evenly.

How do you keep hamburger patties from falling apart?

• Add Egg: There is debate on whether or not adding eggs to burgers is necessary to hold them together.  Some cooks always add eggs to their burgers (like me), while some think it isn’t necessary.  I am a huge proponent of egg because it acts as a binder and ALWAYS works!  I have never had a problem with my burgers falling apart when I add an egg.  As the egg cooks, it binds all the ingredients together which in turn holds the burger together – no more falling apart burgers!

• Handle as Little as Possible:  Once all the ingredients are added to the bowl, don’t overmix and don’t over handle the patties.  The shapes don’t need to be perfect!

• Refrigerate:  the colder the patties, the better they will stick together, so it is a good idea to refrigerate your patties for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

• Flip Once: as the burger goes from cold to warm, to cooked, it is more likely to fall apart, so handle your burger as little as possible on the stovetop or grill.  You should only need to flip your burger once.  This will also ensure even cooking.

How to cook Hamburgers on the Stove

I prefer to cook these burgers on the stove because I am already in the kitchen making my toasted cheesy jalapeno buns but you can grill them if you prefer.

To cook burgers on the stove, choose a cast iron skillet.  Heat it over medium high heat until it smokes lightly, this can take up to two minutes, so be patient! 

We want the skillet nice and hot so it will create a nice crust.  At the same time, we don’t want it so hot that the outside will burn before the center is cooked.  I find medium-high to be perfect to start with, but you may need to reduce the heat if you like your burgers more well done.

How long to cook Burgers on the Stove

Cook the burgers until brown and charred on one side, about 3-5 minutes, flip, reduce heat to medium and cover.  Covering the pan ensures the burger will cook evenly all throughout and reducing the heat is necessary so it doesn’t burn. 

The pan will still have residual heat, so the bottom will still char.  You will cook on this side for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your burgers and how well done you like them.  I suggest using an instant read thermometer to check for doneness.

While the burgers are cooking, don’t press them or touch them at all, just let them do their thing for a nice sear and optimal juiciness.

Best Hamburger Recipe: How to grill

Grease grill then heat to medium-high heat.  Once hot, place the burgers on the grill directly over the heat so they aren’t touching. We want to make sure there is enough room in between the burgers so they grill and don’t steam. 

Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the bottom, about 4-5 minutes.  You’ll know to flip the patties when you see liquid pooling on the uncooked surface.  Don’t push down on the burger while grilling or you will lose juices and cause flareups. If flareups happen, move the burgers away from direct heat until the flames diminish.

Flip the burgers over only once then continue to cook until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side. It will take 4-6 minutes depending on desired doneness. If the outsides get charred before the burgers reach desired temperature, move the burgers away from the direct heat, cover, and continue to grill cooking until they reach the desired temperature.

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD A BURGER BE COOKED TO?

I highly recommend an instant read thermometer otherwise you won’t know the temperature of your burger without breaking it open.  You can purchase an instant-read thermometer at any grocery store or Target, etc.   When taking the temperature, make sure you insert it into the middle of the burger, as this is the part that cooks last.

Here is a temperature guide for YOUR perfect burger:

• MEDIUM-RARE BURGER: 125 to 130 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes per side
• MEDIUM BURGER: 135 to 140 degrees, 3 to 4 minutes per side
• MEDIUM-WELL BURGER: 145 to 160 degrees, 4 to 5 minutes per side. 160 degrees is recommend for safe beef consumption
• WELL-DONE BURGER: 160 degrees and up, 5 minutes and up per side

How do I make this Hamburger Recipe as a cheeseburger?

Once your burgers are done to your liking, you are welcome to add cheese directly to the hamburger patties, or you can make my toasted cheddar buns.

I recommend a good melting cheese such as cheddar, American, pepper Jack, Swiss, or mozzarella.

To add cheese, place a slice of cheese on top of each patty then cover the skillet until the cheese has melted, about 1 minute.

If you’re cooking your burgers on the grill, then wait until your burgers are almost done, then add the cheese directly on top of each patty.  Close the lid of the grill to melt the cheese.  

How to toast buns for the Best Burger

Whether you make my Toasted Cheesy Jalapeno Buns or not, I strongly believe the buns need to be toasted in order to achieve the Best Burgers.  The toasted exterior prevents them from becoming soggy as well as deliver golden, crispy on the outside, giving way to soft inside. 

TOASTED CHEESY JALAPENO BUNS

The cheese and jalapenos are broiled on the buns, so not only do the buns get toasted, but the cheese bubbles to golden deliciousness.

1. Lay the hamburger buns (tops and bottoms) on a baking sheet cut side up.
2. Top all of the buns with cheese.
3. Top ONLY the bottoms with jalapenos – 3-5 slices, depending on your “heat” preference.
4. Broil until cheese is melted and golden, keeping a close eye on them so they don’t burn.

OVEN

If you’re making more than 4 buns, then it might be easier to toast them in the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line top and bottom buns on a baking sheet, cut side up.
3. Spread with softened butter (optional).
4. Bake until warmed and lightly crispy about 5 minutes.
5. Don’t over bake or they can become dry – we don’t want croutons!

STOVE

The stove is perfect if you only need 4 buns, like in this recipe, although it will still require 2 batches, to toast both the top and bottoms.

1. After the burgers are cooked, don’t wipe out pan.
2. Heat pan to medium low heat.
3. If there isn’t much grease left, then you may want to melt 1-2 tablespoons butter.
4. Add buns, cut side down.
5. Toast until golden, tilting a bun up to check for doneness.

GRILL

If you’re grilling your burgers, the toasting the buns is super simple and doesn’t require any additional pans.

1. Wait until the last minute, once your burgers are almost done.
2. For more flavor, spread some softened butter on the cut side of the buns before grilling.
3. Add buns to the grill in a single layer, cut side down.
4. Grill until slightly charred, about 1 minute.

Condiments for the Best Burger Recipe

The condiments are ENDLESS when it comes to Hamburgers!  What you want to top your burger with is a personal choice, just take care you have the condiments ready to go before you make the burgers otherwise your burgers can get cold and will no longer be the Best Burgers!

Here are a few burger condiment ideas:

• Bacon
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Pickles
• Red onions
• Caramelized onions
• Thin crispy fried onion rings
• Mushrooms like grilled portobellos
• Fried eggs

Sauce for this Burger Recipe

A burger NEEDS some sort of Burger Sauce.  Even if you just have mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, these add a needed creaminess that binds all the condiments together.   You can even use barbecue sauce, steak sauce, ranch dressing, Russian dressing, etc., depending on what you’re going for. 

My FAVORTE Burger Sauce is 2 parts mayonnaise to 1-part barbecue sauce.  Barbecue sauce already has ketchup and mustard, plus additional seasonings, so it just makes sense to combine them all together to create the best Burger Sauce!  It is creamy tangy and elevates this burger to a whole new level.

How to Make the Best Burger TIPS

• Correct Pan:  Use a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom pan because they distribute heat more evenly and therefore cook your hamburgers more evenly.
• Hot: Get the pan very hot before adding the burgers to create a nice crust/char for maximum flavor and juiciness. 
• Season:  Seasoning the burgers with just salt and pepper or seasoning just the surface of the hamburger patties will leave you with boring, bland burgers.  In this Best Burgers recipe, the beef is seasoned throughout with shallots, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper to create a dynamic, well rounded flavor profile.
• Don’t Overwork:  Stop mixing the ingredients as soon as they are combined.  Overworking the meat will create rubbery, tough burgers. Shape the hamburger patties gently and don’t pack the meat together or else you’ll end up with a hard burger. 
  Make an Indent:  Making a shallow indentation in the center of each patty will ensure the burgers cook evenly and prevent the centers from bulging as the surrounding collagen tightens.
• Don’t Press:  We’ve all seen it done, but don’t EVER press down on your burgers with your spatula. Pressing down on the burgers squeezes out the flavorful juices just like a sponge.  Every time you press, you loose flavor and moisture resulting in a drier burger.
• Let Burgers Rest:. Once the burgers are done, place them on a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes.  This allows the juices that have been pushed to the outside of the burger when cooking to be redistributed throughout the burger.

What to serve with the Best Burger

Best Burgers are fabulous with your favorite potluck foods! Serve them simply with chips and watermelon or amp it up with pasta salad, fruit salad and grilled corn. Here are some of our favorite sides to serve with burgers:

• Potluck Favorites: Baked Mac and Cheese, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Corn Casserole.
• Salad: Watermelon Salad, Garden Salad, Broccoli Salad, Strawberry Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, and Corn Salad.
• Pasta Salad: Italian Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and Orzo Pasta Salad.
• Fruit: Grape Salad, Summer Fruit Salad, Fruit Salad, or Tropical Fruit Salad.

How to store Homemade Burgers

Store burger patties separate from buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Homemade burgers will keep for up to 3 days.  For longer storage, freeze hamburger patties instead (see below).

Can you make burger patties ahead time?

Absolutely!  You can assemble the beef burger patties, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.  You can prep your toppings at this time so they are all ready to go as and all you have to do is cook and eat! 

You can also completely cook your burgers ahead of time and keep them warm, see section below.

Can you freeze Homemade Burgers?

Yes, burgers freeze very well without cheese – another win for toasted jalapeno buns!

To freezer burgers, place cooked patties in a freezer size plastic bag and separate patties with parchment paper OR place patties in individual plastic bags.  With either option, make sure you squeeze as much excess air out as possible in order to prevent freezer burn.  Alternatively, you can wrap individual patties tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil.

When ready to eat, let burgers thaw overnight in the refrigerator then cook within three to four days.

Ground beef is technically safe to freeze indefinitely but it can suffer freezer burn and lose quality.  For bests results, consume your frozen burgers within 4 months.

Can you freeze uncooked burger patties?

Yes, but uncooked burger patties should be flash frozen first so they don’t loose their shape.

To freeze uncooked burger patties:

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Line patties on the parchment paper in rows so they aren’t touching.
3. Place tray in the freezer and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
4. Using kitchen shears, cut the along the imaginary grid to separate the patties, this way each patty has its own parchment square. 
5. Stack patties separated by parchment paper into a freezer bag.
6. Squeeze out as much air as possible in order to prevent freezer burn then seal and label.
7. Freeze for up to four months.

Best Burger Recipe FAQs

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