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It's summer, and nothing is more classic than a fresh burger off the grill. Here is the best gourmet burger seasoning and all my tips, and tricks to make sure you have the best burgers ever!
It's summer, which means it is time to pull out the grill and make something delicious outside! Anyone can make a good burger, but biting into a perfectly flavored, juicy hamburger with the best homemade burger seasoning right off the grill makes any summer day better.
We make hamburgers around our house all the time. Our oldest daughter is kind of obsessed with them, but she likes to stick with the classics. Our youngest loves to experiment with different flavors on her burgers and is always asking to try new things. My husband, however, loves the classic, but the actual hamburger meat has to be just right! Trust me when I say, I've made burgers with this gourmet burger seasoning for probably 50 or more platoon cookouts we've done for his soldiers over the years, and they've never disappointed.
What makes a good burger?
A good hamburger can be hard to come by, but not when you know how to make homemade burger seasoning. This burger seasoning leaves you with the best hamburgers no matter if you like to cook burgers on the grill, on the stove, or even in the air fryer. Yes, you can make burgers in the air fryer. You want to make these burgers because they are the best!
- You get a juicy, flavorful burger patty that doesn't fall apart!
Ingredients to make the best homemade burger seasoning.
- Ground Beef - I use ground chuck.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Mustard Powder
- Sage
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Liquid Smoke
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How to make hamburger patties with the best burger seasoning.
- Combine the ground chick and the remaining ingredients into a bowl.
- Mix the burger seasoning into the ground chuck just enough to combine.
- Shape the hamburger patties.
- Keep the burger patties cold until you are ready to cook them.
Get the best burgers start before the meat hits the grill.
Ground chicken is the best cut of beef for burgers. The Fat Content should be around 8o% lean or 20% fat. I personally find anything leaner than this can lead to drier burgers. The 80% lean ground chuck leaves make for a much more flavorful and juicy burger.
Do NOT overwork the meat - The more you work the beef, the tougher it will be. Work the meat just enough to mix the burger seasoning into the ground beef and shape.
Make uniform-shaped hamburger patties - This will ensure even cooking time. I like to use a simple burger press to shape.
Tips and tricks for grilling hamburgers.
Once you are ready to cook, here are my favorite tips and tricks for making juicy burgers on the grill.
- Make a dimple - By making a small indent in the middle of the meat it will allow the meat to expand as it cooks and helps to prevent it from shrinking on the grill.
- Watch the temperature - If you want the best grilled hamburgers, lower your heat.
- Do NOT press down on the burgers - When you press down on the burgers, you are essentially squeezing out the juices in them. By leaving them alone, you are keeping all that deliciousness inside where you want it.
- Do NOT close the grill - This might seem odd but closing the grill raises the temperature and can lead to an overcooked burger. Because burgers cook fast there is no need to close the lid.
- Flip only once - Only flip your burgers once halfway through cooking. The more you flip the burgers and they get moved, the more they lose juices that you want to stay in the burger.
- Rest your burgers - Just like with cooking other meats, you'll get the best, juicy burger if you let it rest for about ten minutes when it comes off the grill.
How long does it take to grill a burger?
Burgers take on average 8-10 minutes depending on thickness. Do not try to test the doneness by the color of the meat. Instead, always use an instant-read thermometer to check if the meat is done to your liking.
- Rare - 125-130 degrees
- Medium Rare 130-140 degrees
- Medium 140-150 degrees
- Medium Well 150-155 degrees
- Well Done 160 degrees
I always cook burgers to about medium because they still cook a little more from the residual heat as they sit off the grill. This usually takes about 4 minutes per side on the grill.
Why does by burger stick to the grill?
A burger will stick to the grill for a few reasons. To help keep a burger from sticking to the grill you first need to make sure your grill is clean. Do not move the burger once you place it down. Allow the burger to cook undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes and then flip it only once. If you find your burgers are still sticking you can rub a little bit of oil over your grill plates.
Can you make burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, you can make these hamburgers in the air fryer. You can even cook them from frozen by adding a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Can you freeze hamburger patties to cook later?
Freezing hamburger patties is easy. Just season and shape the patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the patties for a few hours, until they are solid, and then transfer them to a freezer bag or container for longer storage. If you plan to stack the burger patties while frozen, separate them with pieces of parchment paper so they don't stick together.
Can you cook frozen hamburger patties?
While it's not something I tend to recommend, yes you can cook frozen hamburger patties on the grill or even in the air fryer. Just place your frozen hamburger to cook and let it cook for at least 5-7 minutes before trying to flip it. The frozen burger should take about 5 minutes longer than it would from fresh. Check the temperature of the burger to ensure it is cooked properly before consuming it.
What are the best toppings for burgers?
- Cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Fried Egg
- BBQ Sauce
- Mayo
- Mustard
- Ketchup
The possibilities are endless.
When is the best time to add cheese to burgers?
I've found that the best time to add cheese to burgers for cheeseburgers is the last two minutes of cooking time. This makes the best cheeseburgers with the perfectly melted cheese without it melting away into the grill and off the burger.
How to make a gluten-free burger?
It's easier than ever to make a gluten-free burger these days. This homemade burger seasoning is already gluten-free, so all you have to do is load it up on your favorite gluten-free burger buns. My favorite gluten-free burger buns are from Canyon Bakehouse, they even make gluten-free brioche buns now. Udis and several other brands now make gluten-free burger buns. You can also wrap your burger in lettuce if you want to make it more low carb or a keto hamburger. Just watch your toppings.
Best gluten-free side dishes for grilling
Grilled Garlic Butter Potato Wedges
Gluten-free Slow Cooked Baked Beans
Now that you know my tips and tricks, it's time to give my homemade burger seasoning recipe a try!
Homemade Hamburger Seasoning for a Juicy Burger
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¾ Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Sage
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
Instructions
- Carefully mix everything together.1 Pound Ground Beef, 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt, 2 Teaspoons Pepper, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¾ Teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder, ½ Teaspoon Sage, 1 ½ Tablespoons Ketchup, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- Shape the Patties.
- Cook the hamburgers to your liking.
Notes
Ground chicken is the best cut of beef for burgers. The Fat Content should be around 8o% lean or 20% fat. I personally find anything leaner than this can lead to drier burgers. The 80% lean ground chuck leaves make for a much more flavorful and juicy burger. How do you keep your burger patties from getting tough?
Do NOT overwork the meat - The more you work the beef, the tougher it will be. Work the meat just enough to mix the burger seasoning into the ground beef and shape.
Make uniform-shaped hamburger patties - This will ensure even cooking time. I like to use a simple burger press to shape. Tips and tricks for grilling hamburgers. Once you are ready to cook, here are my favorite tips and tricks for making juicy burgers on the grill.
- Make a dimple - By making a small indent in the middle of the meat it will allow the meat to expand as it cooks and helps to prevent it from shrinking on the grill.
- Watch the temperature - If you want the best grilled hamburgers, lower your heat.
- Do NOT press down on the burgers - When you press down on the burgers, you are essentially squeezing out the juices in them. By leaving them alone, you are keeping all that deliciousness inside where you want it.
- Do NOT close the grill - This might seem odd but closing the grill raises the temperature and can lead to an overcooked burger. Because burgers cook fast there is no need to close the lid.
- Flip only once - Only flip your burgers once halfway through cooking. The more you flip the burgers and they get moved, the more they lose juices that you want to stay in the burger.
- Rest your burgers - Just like with cooking other meats, you'll get the best, juicy burger if you let it rest for about ten minutes when it comes off the grill.
Let me know what you think or if you have any questions.