Juicy Homemade Burgers (Ultimate Beef Burger Recipe)
Updated May 22, 2025, Published May 22, 2024
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Juicy Homemade Burgers (No Filler, All Flavor!) – These tender, flavorful burgers are ready in under 20 minutes and perfect for your next BBQ or weeknight dinner. Made with just ground beef and seasonings—no fillers—plus an irresistible burger sauce. Includes both grill and stovetop methods!
Why This Recipe Stands Out!
Your new favorite Hamburger Recipe! This recipe creates the best results for the perfect restaurant-style burger with the juiciest patty every single time. My dad makes the BEST burgers and this recipe is inspired by his recipe that we’ve enjoyed countless times over the year. I know you will love these perfectly juicy burgers too! They go so well with potato salad, polenta fries, or your favorite French fry variety.
You’ll also love our grilled chicken sandwich and Greek orzo pasta salad.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This is the only way we eat burgers in our house! With only a few simple ingredients, you’ll have great burgers with fresh ingredients.
Burger Patties (without egg or bread crumbs)
- Ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat). You can use lean ground beef if you prefer, but the high fat content creates the juiciest burger. You can also grind your own meat!
- Worcester sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Favorite Toppings:
Best Burger Sauce:
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: Mustard
- Optional: Dill pickle relish
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Meat Substitutions: Swap ground beef with turkey, chicken, pork, lamb, or plant-based options like black bean, mushroom, or veggie patties. Another variation of this is our ground chicken burgers.
- Cheese Substitutions: Use Swiss, mozzarella, pepper jack, or provolone instead of cheddar. Swap blue cheese with feta, gorgonzola, or goat cheese.
- Bun Substitutions: Use whole wheat, brioche, pretzel buns, or lettuce wraps.
- Sauce Swaps: Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, or homemade burger sauce. Use Greek yogurt or sour cream for mayo. Try Dijon, honey, or whole grain mustard. Try my gremolata as toppings.
- Bacon Avocado Burger: Top with crispy bacon and sliced avocado or avocado coleslaw, plus tomato, lettuce, and garlic aioli.
- Caprese Burger: Layer with mozzarella, tomato, basil, and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Try my caprese sandwich with pesto genovese next time.
How to Make Juicy Homemade Burgers
Thick or thin, this is the best and easiest burger patty recipe for the perfect homemade hamburger! A simple burger recipe you will make time and time again. See the recipe card at the bottom for full details.
Prepare the Hamburger Patties
Step #1: Mix all the ingredients and shape into patties.
Step #2: Shape the hamburger into small balls- you will have 4 total.
Step #3: Creating a small hole makes it so the burger doesn’t puff up in the middle.
Step #4: Place the burger patties on the hot grill.
How Long To Grill Burgers?
Use a meat thermometer and follow this guide:
- Medium-rare: 130–135°F
- Medium: 140–145°F
- Medium-well: 150–155°F
Step #5: Flip the burgers and cook on the other side.
Step #6: Add cheese at the end just to melt it!
Make the Burger Sauce
Step #7: Make the secret sauce in a bowl. So easy!
Assemble the Burgers
Step #8: Assemble the burger the way that you like. Here is how we layer it.
Step #9: Add the cheese and lettuce, then the burger and cheese, on top of the sauce.
Step #10: Top with fresh tomato, onion, and pickles.
Step #11: Lastly, add more secret sauce and top with the brioche bun.
I’m a firm believer that the perfect hamburger is homemade! With little effort and good ingredients, this recipe makes the best homemade burgers. Enjoy!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Quality Meat: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Handle Gently: Don’t overmix—form patties loosely for a tender bite.
- Season Well: Salt and pepper generously. Add garlic or onion powder for more depth.
- Indent the Center: Make a thumbprint in each patty to keep it from puffing up.
- Preheat First: Get your grill or pan hot to create a flavorful crust and lock in juices.
- No Pressing: Avoid smashing patties—this forces out moisture and dries them out.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Make Ahead: Form patties up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Storage: Store cooked burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze uncooked patties (layered with parchment) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
FAQ’s
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C); for medium, 140-145°F (60-63°C); for medium-well, 150-155°F (66-68°C).
Potato Buns: Soft and flavorful, making them an excellent choice for juicy burgers. Why Choose: Their tenderness contrasts the burger’s texture, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Pub-Style Buns: Soft, tall, and reminiscent of restaurant-style buns.
Why Choose: The height of these buns allows for substantial toppings, and their softness complements various burger styles.
Classic Sesame Seed Buns: Inexpensive and timeless, a staple for traditional burgers. Why Choose: Their versatility and affordability make them a go-to choice, offering a familiar taste that pairs well with a range of burger variations.
Brioche Buns: Sweeter flavor and rich texture.
Why Choose: Ideal for those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their burgers, providing a gourmet feel to your homemade creation.
Pretzel Buns: Denser texture with the least likelihood of becoming mushy.
Why Choose: Their sturdiness makes them a great option for heartier burgers and those who prefer a denser bun.
To minimize shrinkage, form patties slightly wider than your buns and make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty. This helps maintain their shape during cooking.
What to Serve with Hamburgers
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Juicy Homemade Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Burger
- 1 pound ground beef, 80% lean, 20% fat for juiciness
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Burger Sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon mustard, optional
- ¼ cup dill relish, optional
Burger Toppings
- 4 brioche burger buns, or buns of choice
- 4 slices medium cheddar cheese, thick sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced into 8 rings
- 8 leaves green leaf lettuce
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced into rings
- ½ cup dill pickle slices
- Additional ideas: blue cheese spread, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms,
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. See notes for the stovetop method.
- Make the burger sauce by combining all the desired ingredients in a small bowl and mixing until well combined. Test flavor and adjust to preference.
- Add the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix by hand until the meat mixture is smooth.
- Divide the ground beef mixture into 4 parts in the bowl.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil. One at a time, form patties with your hands (or a burger press)—about 1/2- 1″ thick (depending on your preference for a thick or thin burger) and a little wider than the burger buns.
- Place patties on the baking sheet. Use a spoon, or your thumb, to press a dent in the center of each burger patty (this prevents a puffy center as they cook). Add a little more salt and pepper to both sides.
- Place the patties on the hot grill and cook for about 2-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting the time for your desired doneness. Flip burgers when juices start to gather on top of the burger and you have a good sear. Avoid flipping multiple times.
- Optional: Add cheese slices during the last minute of cooking and close the grill lid to melt the cheese.
- Toast the burger buns on the grill for a minute or two until they are lightly browned.
- Assemble with burger sauce and desired toppings and enjoy your perfect juicy hamburgers!
Notes
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
- Prepare burger patties as directed above.
- Place the patties in the hot skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer a more well-done burger.
- Optional: Add cheese slices on top of the patties during the last minute of cooking and cover with a lid to melt the cheese. Toast the burger buns in the pan for a minute or two, until they are lightly browned.
- Assemble your burgers with any classic burger toppings.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The best way to make a delicious burger! 🌟