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The Best Hamburgers Recipe – Perfectly seasoned and made with a handful of simple ingredients, this is the easiest and most delicious all-purpose hamburger patty recipe you will ever make! Ready in less than 30 minutes, you’ll have juicy, perfect burgers every time.
The best hamburger recipe – topped with sweaty, gooey melted American cheese and sandwiched between two layers of pillowy white bread smeared with creamy, lip-smacking mayo.
Ah, my favorite all-American classic – well sorta – hamburger patties are actually of German origin, but placing it between two slices of bread is completely American.
Anyway, no matter how you slice it, nothing beats a summertime burger hot off the grill (or your favorite seasoned cast iron skillet). All that’s left are a few fresh toppings and your favorite condiments for the best homemade burgers – ever!
How to Make the Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
Making my favorite homemade burger recipe is super simple. Less labor intensive than making a million little meatballs, this classic burger can be grilled or cooked on the stovetop.
This recipe combines ground beef with panko breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire, milk, and seasonings in a large bowl until just combined. The mixture is divided into 6-8 equal portions (depending on how thick you like your patties) before rolling them into balls. From here, you’ll shape the balls into patties and cook them on a cast-iron pan or preheated grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
So easy, yes? Let’s learn more about it below.
Hamburger Patty Ingredients
- Ground meat
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Milk
- Worcestershire sauce
- Paprika
- Salt and Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion Powder
What Type of Meat is Best?
The juiciest, best-tasting burger recipe relies on two things – the quality of the meat and the total fat content. When shopping for meat for hamburgers, choose ground chuck over ground beef. Ground chuck is more flavorful. Second, pick meat that is at least 20% fat. Lean ground beef (90/10) can result in a dry burger, especially if you prefer a more well-done patty.
Hamburger Patty Thickness
You can shape your hamburger patties to be thick or thin, depending on how you like them. Imagine a steakhouse patty versus In-N-Out.
For reference, I wrote this recipe to make 6-8 hamburger patties of an average thickness (so not too thick, not too thin). Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing patty thickness.
- Thick patties will take longer to cook but have better protection against overcooking if you prefer a medium-rare burger.
- If you prefer thick burgers, it’s essential to use the back of a spoon to make an indent in the center of each patty. This helps prevent the center of the patty from puffing up as they cook.
- Thinner patties should be moved and flipped as little as possible.
Stovetop Hamburgers
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place one pre-portioned ball on the skillet and gently press it into a ½-inch thick patty using a flat spatula. Cook burgers for 3-4 minutes, undisturbed, before carefully flipping and cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. Cast iron pans create a delicious caramelized sear on the bottom of each burger.
Optional: If making cheeseburgers, place a slice on top of each of the patties, turn the heat down to low and cover the pan with a lid and let the cheese fully melt.
Grilled Hamburgers
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F.
Shape each ball into patties using your hands (they should be about ½ – inch thick). Add each burger patty to the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Add cheese if desired.
How to Tell When Burgers are Done Cooking
It is recommended to cook ground beef to 160 degrees F for a well-done burger with no pink in the middle. The easiest way to check for doneness is to use a digital meat thermometer.
- 2-3 minutes for medium rare
- 3-4 minutes for medium
- 5-6 minutes for well done
Homemade Hamburger Toppings
The toppings required to make a good burger are highly personal. Some people love all the toppings, while others love just a bun. My favorite? Bacon and peanut butter. I know, DELICIOUS!
- Ketchup, mustard, and mayo (the classics)
- Garlic Aioli
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles or pickle relish
- Sauteed Mushrooms
- Caramelized Onions
- BBQ sauce
- Fried egg
- Cheese (cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, feta cheese, goat cheese, etc.)
Recipes to Serve with Hamburger Patties
These juicy burgers are fantastic with various side dishes. Here are some of my favorites:
- Macaroni Salad
- Fruit Salad Recipe
- Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan
- Easy Creamy Potato Salad Recipe
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
- Coleslaw Recipe
If you try making this Delicious Burger Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
Hamburger Patty Recipe
Ingredients
Hamburger Patty Ingredients
- 2 pound ground beef, 80% lean, 20% fat Ground Chuck
- ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Assembly and Toppings
- 6 sesame seed buns, toasted
- 6 slices American cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Pickles
- Red onion
- Mayonnaise, about 1 tablespoon per hamburger
Instructions
- Combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Mix just until the ingredients are combined, being careful not to over-mix, or the patties will be tough.
- Divide the meat mixture into six equal portions, then shape each portion into a ball and set aside.
Stovetop Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place one portioned ball on the skillet and gently press it into a ½-inch thick patty using a flat spatula. Tip: Use a spoon to dent the center of each patty as they will puff up as they cook (this is especially important for larger, thicker hamburger patties).
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer them well-done.
- Optional: If using cheese, place a slice on top of each of the patties, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pan with a lid and let the cheese fully melt.
- Once the patties are cooked, and the cheese is melted, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate to rest.
Grill Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F.
- Shape each ball into patties using your hands (they should be about ½-¾ – inch thick. Use the back of a spoon to make an indent in the center of each patty. Add each burger patty to the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Add cheese if desired.
- Once the patties are cooked remove them from the grill and place them on a plate to rest.
- To assemble, spread mayonnaise on the top and bottom halves of the buns before placing a patty on the bottom bun, followed by lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
