Learn the secrets to creating the juiciest, most delicious burger patties. Create the burger of your dreams with this basic recipe and simple techniques… you’ll never go back once you try them!
Come see what the best burger patties look like – no restaurant required. You can make these so easily right in your own kitchen!
There’s not much better than a hot, juicy burger. With the perfect toasted bun and your favorite gourmet burger toppings, it’s easy to create a meal to write home about.
I’ve written about burgers quite a lot, actually. I’ve got a complete All American Burger Guide, How to Cook Burgers on the Stove, What to Serve with Burgers, and so many more. You can learn how to create Burger Bar with toppings galore for parties, or serve these little sliders so you can eat more than one burger, with less guilt!
The ideas are endless, and so is my love for a juicy burger. It’s an all-time favorite comfort food around here, and with good reason!
Today we’re going to talk about the best methods, seasonings and techniques for making your own burger patties. Because if any burger is good… really good homemade hamburgers are better.
Why You’ll Love these Burger Patties
- Fast and simple to throw together
- Easy to customize seasonings
- Great on the stovetop, grill or in the oven
- Perfect for weeknights or entertaining
Burger Patty Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Chuck – 80/20 is ideal. Yes, it’s a high saturated fat content, but you don’t eat burgers every day!
- Egg Yolk – Adds a touch of extra moisture to your burgers and helps bind the burger patties.
- Olive Oil – This traps a little extra moisture into your burgers! You’ll be amazed at how the additional oil creates the best juicy finish.
- Minced Garlic – You can mince your garlic cloves fresh, but I like to buy the pre-minced garlic from the product section of our local grocer.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper – adds the perfect spiced finish.
- Butter – a pat of butter in your pan if you’re making these on the stove top is a delicious addition and helps brown the burger quickly, creating the perfect crust at high heat.
Variations
- Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for additional flavoring
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder or garlic powder if you’re skipping the fresh garlic.
How to Make this Hamburger Patty Recipe in Four Easy Steps
For complete grilling instructions after you make your burger patties, see the printable recipe card.
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Create four burger patties of roughly the same size with the meat mixture, creating a thumb print in the center of each one.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes before cooking.
- brush patties with olive oil and an extra crack of pepper before cooking on stovetop, grill or in the oven.
Cook these burger patties any which way you’d like! Find the detailed directions for Stovetop Burgers, Burgers in the Oven, and Grilled Burgers here!
Want to cook your meat to the perfect temperature, every time? Don’t miss this printable Meat Temperature Chart with all the guidelines you’ll ever need!
Tips for the Best Burger Patties
- Use the best quality ground beef you can afford – we tend to prefer 80/20 ground chuck for the higher fat content.
- Avoid handling the meat too much, as you’ll toughen it as you touch the fibers more and more. Don’t give into the temptation of pressing your burger patty down onto the pan or grill.
- Loosely shape your patties. No need to tightly form them. Let the beef breathe a little and you’ll thank me later!
- Season with burger seasoning before you form the patties, or season after. Save a few cracks of sea salt for the end, after they are cooked. There is some evidence that salt dries your burgers as they cook.
- Prior to cooking your burgers: make a small depression in the center with your thumb on one side of your burger. This keeps your burger from puffing up too much in the center, making it more even and flat as it cooks.
- Keep those juices locked inside the burger patty by flipping just once!
- Want your cheese to be perfectly melted? Throw a little water onto the cheese after you’ve place it on the burger patty, and cover the pan with a lid. It helps the cheese liquefy into perfection!
Find out how to Toast Burger Buns and get all the best ideas for What to Serve with Burgers here – your dinner is complete!
Frequently Asked Questions
This could be the addition of too many ingredients in the burger patties. Recipes often add liquids like soy sauce, Worcestershire and more, and all the extra ingredients can add to much moisture. Binders like breadcrumbs or eggs can help keep your burger patties together.
You can tell a burger patty is done by using a thermometer. The internal temperature should read no less than 155°F. Once the burgers rest for 10 minutes, the internal temperature should rise to the 160°F mark.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
- Keto Friendly (without the bun, of course)
More Beef Dinner Inspiration
Burger Patties
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- fresh ground pepper {or to taste}
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Create four burger patties with the meat mixture, creating a thumb print in the center.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes before cooking.
- preheat grill to 450 degrees or medium high
- brush patties with oil and and extra crack of pepper
- place burger patties onto direct heat – do not press down
- flip after 3-5 minutes or halfway through
Julie’s Tips
- Use the best quality ground beef you can afford – we tend to prefer 80/20 ground chuck for the higher fat content.
- Avoid handling the meat too much, as you’ll toughen it as you touch the fibers more and more. Don’t give into the temptation of pressing your burger patty down onto the pan or grill.
- Loosely shape your patties. No need to tightly form them. Let the beef breathe a little and you’ll thank me later!
- Season before you form the patties, or season after. Save a few cracks of sea salt for the end, after they are cooked. There is some evidence that salt dries your burgers as they cook.
- Prior to cooking your burgers: make a small depression in the center with your thumb on one side of your burger. This keeps your burger from puffing up too much in the center, making it more even and flat as it cooks.
- Keep those juices locked inside the burger patty by flipping just once!
- Want your cheese to be perfectly melted? Throw a little water onto the cheese after you’ve place it on the burger patty, and cover the pan with a lid. It helps the cheese liquefy into perfection!
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
