Recipes

The Best Burger Recipe

by Marie Williams on Feb 16, 2024

The Best Burger Recipe

This homemade juicy burger recipe makes the best burgers, thanks to 2 simple secret ingredients. Includes grill or stovetop options!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy grilling season is with a good barbecue… especially when the best burger recipe is involved! With my secret ingredients and a few tips and tricks, you’ll be making the best homemade juicy burgers in no time.

INGREDIENTS

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

INSTRUCTIONS

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  • Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Work through using your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  • Shape into 1/2 in (1 cm) thick patties, about 1/4 pound each. Make a thumb print in the center of each patty to keep the burgers from bulging out when cooking.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill, or cast iron grill pan or cast iron skillet on the stovetop, to medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook 4-5 minutes with the lid closed, until browned on the bottom and the only juices visible are no longer red. Do not push down on the burgers or move them around. Flip over, top with cheese if desired, and cook 2-3 minutes for medium, or until done as desired. (For best results, use a meat thermometer. See time and temp chart in the post above!)
  • Remove burgers from heat. Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving.

 

Burger recipe ingredients measured out.

 

WHY THIS IS THE BEST BURGER RECIPE

  • Juiciest burger meat ever
  • 4 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper)
  • Done in less than 15 minutes
  • 2 cooking methods — grill or stovetop!
  • Easy lunch or dinner that comes together fast
Juicy burger with cheese and fixings on a bun.

 

  1. Mix the beef, oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder salt, and pepper. Place ingredients in a large bowl. Work through using your hands until just combined (see tips below).
  2. Shape the patties. Make 1/2-inch-thick patties. Make a thumb print in the center of each patty.
  3. Grill or pan fry. Preheat a grill or grill pan. Cook burgers until browned on the bottom. Flip, add cheese if desired, and cook until done to your liking (see time and temp chart below).
  4. Rest. Remove from heat. Let the homemade burgers rest for a few minutes before serving, which lets the juices settle.

 

TIPS FOR THE BEST BURGERS

 Whether you’re using the grill or making stovetop burgers, follow these tips to ensure you end up with the best burger recipes possible:

  • Don’t overwork the meat. Mixing or mashing too much pushes the juices out and leads to a tough burger. Instead, use a gentle kneading motion to mix the ingredients into the ground beef.
  • Use cold hands. This will prevent the meat from heating up and becoming rubbery. Just wash your hands with cold water before working with it.
  • Be gentle. Form the patties gently too to avoid driving out the juices. You want the moisture to stay in the burgers instead of escaping.
  • Make a thumbprint. Making a large thumb print in the middle of each patty prevents the burgers from puffing up as they cook. This happens because the heat pushes the juices to the middle, so if you start out with a cavity in the middle, the burger will be nice and flat when they are done.
  • Turn up the heat. For super juicy burgers, you want to sear them for maximum flavor. Have the heat up on medium-high, and make sure your grill or pan is preheated before adding the meat.
  • Don’t move them around. Don’t keep checking on your burgers by lifting the lid of the grill (or pan lid if making stovetop burgers), or moving them around. Once you add the patties, leave them undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, then flip only once.
  • Don’t push down on the burgers. Whatever you do, don’t push down on the burgers with a spatula. I don’t know who started this idea, but it literally pushes all the juices out!
  • Let them rest and don’t cut open to check. If you cut the burgers open to find out if they are done, all the juices will leak out and you’ll end up with a dry burger. Instead, use a meat thermometer or the time chart below to check for doneness, and wait a few minutes after cooking before eating.

 

HOW LONG TO GRILL BURGERS?

Grill burgers for a total of 6-8 minutes for medium doneness.

HOW LONG TO COOK BURGERS ON THE STOVE?

Cook burgers on the stove for a total of 6-8 minutes for medium doneness.

WHAT TEMP ARE BURGERS DONE?

The USDA officially recommends at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (well done) as the stovetop or grill temp for burgers, but for juicy burgers I recommend medium (140-145 degrees F). If you have a meat thermometer that’s the most reliable way to test for doneness.

Use these times and temperatures as a guide for the best burger recipe:

DONENESS TEMPERATURE IN FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE IN CELSIUS TOTAL COOK TIME
Rare 120 to 125 degrees 49 to 52 degrees 4-5 minutes
Medium Rare 130 to 135 degrees 54 to 57 degrees 5-6 minutes
Medium 140 to 145 degrees 60 to 63 degrees 6-8 minutes
Medium Well 150 to 155 degrees 65 to 68 degrees 8-9 minutes
Well Done 160 to 165 degrees 71 to 74 degrees 9-10 minutes

The internal temperature will rise an additional 5 degrees from the temperatures above while resting, so these temps are when you’d remove from heat.

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Store: To keep your burgers delicious and juicy, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat: You can either place them in a pan on the stovetop with a little bit of oil and heat until warm, or place them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. You can also reheat burgers on the grill.
  • Freeze: You can freeze this homemade burger recipe before or after cooking, but before cooking works best. Shape the patties, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Alternatively, you can keep cooked burgers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking or reheating.

Purchase Lean Ground Beef HERE Today!

Want a faster alternative? Purchase Beef Burger Patties HERE Today!

Source: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/the-juiciest-burgers-ever/