Get ready for the ultimate summer grilling experience with this classic Hamburger recipe! These patties are incredibly juicy, full of flavor, and quick to grill, making them the perfect addition to any cookout.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just craving a delicious homemade burger, this recipe delivers everything you love about a classic hamburger.
Of all the summertime grilling recipes, a good old-fashioned hamburger is always a good choice. I particular love enjoying a bunless burger with air fryer sweet potatoes. So yummy!
This homemade hamburger recipe is one that we make all year long. Just as delicious cooked in a cast-iron as on the grill, and they both take no time at all.
These hamburger patties are loaded with flavor from the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onions. They also keep the meat so tender and moist without falling apart.
Plus, this recipe is super versatile. You can customize everything from the seasonings to the toppings to make your ideal burger. Pair it with my coleslaw and French fries for the perfect summer menu.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground chuck beef — Medium ground beef is best for this hamburger recipe because the extra fat adds flavor and keeps the burger juicy. I find that 85/15 or 80/20 are perfect for this recipe, but you can go with lean ground beef if you prefer!
- Egg — Binds the hamburger patty together and adds more depth of flavor.
- Mustard — Classic yellow mustard or zesty Dijon both work well in this recipe.
- Worcestershire sauce — Keeps the patties super moist and enhances the savory flavor. Soy sauce or coconut aminos are good alternatives.
- Onion & garlic — Finely diced so they’re easy to mix with the ground beef.
- Salt & black pepper — Simple seasonings work best here.
Hamburger Toppings & Variations
To ensure your hamburgers are perfectly assembled, have all your toppings prepared before cooking the patties. Start by toasting the buns and getting the toppings ready. Once the patties are hot off the grill, you can quickly build your burger. Choose toppings that add a variety of textures, colors, and flavors for a delicious result.
Sauce — This is what makes this recipe even better! My go-to is this easy garlic aioli, but classic ketchup, mayo and Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, sour cream or my creamy avocado sauce are all great options.
Cheese — Go with a cheese that melts easily, like Cheddar, American, Swiss or Pepper Jack for a spicy kick. If you’re dairy-free, try sliced avocado or guacamole instead.
Veggies — Customize your burger with toppings like lettuces, tomato, onion, caramelized red onions, grilled mushrooms, and your favorite pickles.
Protein — Use ground chicken or turkey as a leaner (but equally delicious) option. You can also use slices of bacon.
Spices — You can also season your burger patties not only with salt and pepper but with garlic powder, onion powder and even paprika for a little heat.
How To Make The Best Hamburgers
- First, lightly oil your grill and preheat it to medium.
- Whisk the egg in a mixing large bowl before adding the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, garlic, and seasonings.
- Add the ground beef and use your hands or a fork to gently mix everything together.
Grill:
- Press the seasoned ground beef into patties ¾-inch thick and use your thumb to press a shallow indentation in the middle of each patty.
- Arrange your burgers on the grill and close the lid.
- Cook them for 6-8 minutes per side until they reach 160°F in the center.
Don’t have a grill? Make it on the stovetop!
No problem! You can get the same crispy char on a cast-iron skillet. Just heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side depending on how done you like your burger.
Assemble:
- Warm the buns and add cheese to the patties, if desired.
- Enjoy this delicious grilled burger with your favorite toppings and sides!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- Be careful not to overwork the meat when you mix it and form the patties. You want to handle it as little as possible to keep the hamburger tender.
- To help form the patties, keep your ingredients cold and your hands slightly wet. This will keep the meat from being too sticky.
- The burgers will shrink as they cook, so form your patties slightly larger than the bun you’re using.
- Avoid pressing down on the burger as it cooks. This releases all of the juices and will dry out the meat. We’re aiming for juicy and tender!
How To Store Leftovers
To Store: Once the hamburger patties have cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I also store all of the toppings separately to keep them fresh.
To Freeze: You can keep cooked patties in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For uncooked patties, flash-freeze them on a baking sheet first before storing them.
To Reheat: Pop your burger patties in the skillet or the microwave for just a couple of minutes until they’re heated through.
The Best Hamburger Sides
Fries: The most classic combo! I love to make sweet potato fries or potato wedges in the air fryer since it’s so quick and easy.
Salad: A simple caprese salad, egg salad or cucumber salad is the perfect fresh side dish for a juicy burger.
Potato Salad: The best of both worlds! You’ll love my healthy potato salad recipe or this roasted potato salad.
Grilled veggies: Since the grill is already hot, whip up some grilled corn, potato wedge, zucchini, or portabella mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
A meat thermometer is the best way to check if your burgers are done. The patties should read 160°F at the thickest part and be firm to the touch when they’re ready.
I prefer the grill or stovetop so you can get a nice sear on the hamburger patty. But, you can certainly cook these in the oven if you like. Preheat your oven to 425°F and place the patties on a baking sheet. Cook for about 15 minutes or until they’re cooked through.
Feel free to get creative with the seasonings! You can use Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, BBQ seasoning, or even add fresh herbs to the mix.
Absolutely! You can mix and shape the patties up to 2 days in advance. Just be sure to keep them covered and cold until you’re ready to cook.
If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below! And be sure to check out all of the other Summer Recipes here at Primavera Kitchen!
Hamburger Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Primavera Kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon mustard yellow or Dijon
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup white onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 lb medium ground beef
Instructions
- Lightly oil the grill and preheat the BBQ to medium.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg, then add mustard, Worcestershire sauce, white onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Crumble in the beef and gently mix together with your hands or a fork, if desired. Handle the meat as little as possible to keep it tender.
- Form the mixture into ¾-inch thick patties, using your thumb to create a shallow indentation in the center of each to prevent puffing while cooking.
- Put the burgers on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, turning once, until they are no longer pink inside. An instant-read thermometer should register 160°F.
- Avoid pressing the burgers with a spatula, pricking with a fork, or turning frequently to retain juices.
- Serve the burgers in warm crusty buns with your favorite toppings such as ketchup, garlic aioli, slice of cheese, red onion, tomato, bacon, lettuce and/or pickles.
Tips
- Don’t forget the thumbprint. This helps the patties keep their shape on the grill.
- Refrigerate your hamburger patties until you’re ready to grill.
- To get the best sear, try to flip the patties only once.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Leave a Comment