Juicy Hamburger Recipe to Make All Summer Long
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission if you shop through the links on this site, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use, love, or would recommend for making cooking, hosting, and gifting easier and more enjoyable.There’s nothing quite like a delicious burger sizzling on the grill to make you feel that summer vibe. I can’t wait to share my favorite hamburger recipe with you all. It’s super juicy, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to beat any fast-food burger you’ve ever had. Let’s get grilling!
Confession: I’ve only grilled twice in my life, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy it. Growing up, I always saw the women in the family prepping the food inside, which was then handed off to the men who typically took charge at the grill. That was just how it was, so I never thought to learn how to grill myself.
My husband and I lived in Southern California for seven years, where we could grill almost any day of the year. Which we did — but the routine remained the same: I prepped the food, and he grilled. One day, I asked him to teach me how to grill. He assured me that it was easy, and once I got the hang of it, I could grill anything.
Well, when he opened the grill and the heat hit me, the panic set in. Were my eyebrows and eyelashes still on my face?! I couldn’t get away fast enough and quickly realized that my comfort zone is definitely in the kitchen.
A grill master I am not.
If you’re like me, then this easy recipe is for you. Because if I can do it, anyone can.
P.S. Shout out to my grandmother, this is really her hamburger recipe. It’s always been a crowd pleaser at every family BBQ, and every bite I take brings me back to my childhood summers in her yard — swimming in her pool and coming out just to have one of her burgers.
What you will need:
- 2 ground beef (80/20)
- Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 medium onion
- 1 egg
- dried parsley
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- slices of your favorite cheese (optional)
- food processor (optional)
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Tips for Juicy Burgers
- Use ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio for the best balance of flavor and juiciness
- Avoid over-mixing the meat. Overworking it can make the burgers dense and tough
- Form the patties gently without packing the meat too tightly
- Try to make your patties the same size so they cook evenly—this helps everything finish at the same time and keeps each burger juicy and consistent
- Press a small indent in the center of each patty to help prevent it from puffing up while cooking
- Don’t press down on the burgers while they cook, or you’ll lose all those flavorful juices
- Let the burgers rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices can settle before serving
These little steps really make all the difference! They’re what take a homemade burger from just good to something you actually remember after the last bite.
Serving Ideas
- Classic fries for that true burger-and-fries combo
- A simple coleslaw or fattoush salad for something cool and crunchy on the side
- Pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onions for a build-your-own burger setup. Don’t skip the mayo…I’m a big mayo fan! It takes it to the next level.
- A side of potato salad for that summer backyard BBQ feel.
- Ice cold lemonade, iced tea, or soda to keep things easy and refreshing.
Storage and Meal Prep
These burgers store really well if you have leftovers. They still taste great the next day…maybe even a little better since all the flavors have had time to settle in.
Store the cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the buns and toppings separate so nothing gets soggy and everything reheats evenly, keeping the toppings as fresh as possible. You want that leftover burger to taste just as good.
If you made cheeseburgers, avoid stacking the patties on top of each other, as the cheese can stick and make a mess when separating.
To reheat, warm the burgers on the stovetop over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until heated through, being careful not to overcook the beef. You can also use the microwave for a quick option and just heat until warmed through.
Prep Ahead
If you want to get ahead, you can prep the burger patties in advance and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. It’s one of those small things that makes cooking feel a lot more relaxed when it’s time to actually get everything on the table. I recommend just a few hours ahead, or at most overnight, so they stay fresh and hold their texture.
Form the patties and place them on a plate or tray lined with parchment paper. If you’ve made enough to layer, place a piece of plastic wrap between each layer to prevent the meat from sticking to each other or to the parchment. This also helps everything stay in place. Then cover and refrigerate for up to a day ahead. It makes things so much easier, especially when you’re hosting and don’t want to be doing everything last minute.
Take them out of the fridge about 15–20 minutes before cooking so they can come to room temperature slightly, which helps them cook more evenly.
Let’s get started!
Preheat your grill to high heat while you are prepping the hamburgers.
I prefer getting the hard part out of the way, and for me, that means cutting an onion. My eyes start to sting and water almost immediately, making it challenging to see while chopping, especially with a large knife. It’s not as fun as it sounds. So, to make things easier, I use a food processor.
Ok, now that that’s out of our way, let’s move on.
In a large mixing bowl, add in the ground beef, onion, egg, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, breadcrumbs, and mix everything until it’s well combined. Careful not to overmix the meat because it makes the burgers dense.
If you feel the meat is a little on the sticky side, add in some more bread crumbs little by little until you get the perfect texture.
Next, it’s time to form the burger patties. Make them a little bigger than the bun you will eat them on, because the meat will shrink in size while cooking. Make a small dent in the center of the patty to prevent puffing during the cooking process.
Using 80/20 ground beef for this hamburger recipe is perfect because the 20% fat keeps the burger juicy and adds more flavor. It also helps the burger maintain its shape during cooking, preventing it from becoming dry and crumbly.
Take it to the grill
After all the patties are formed, they are ready to hit the grill. Take the grill temp down to medium and put those burgers on. Cook for 5 minutes on each side -only flipping once-for a perfectly juicy hamburger. Don’t press down on the burger while cooking or juices will escape.
I love barbecue sauce on my hamburgers, so I add my favorite barbecue sauce right before the burgers are ready to be taken off the grill. Coat all the burgers, then flip to coat the other side. This process is quick, and it will caramelize quickly as well. Just adding more summer flavor to your hamburger! To make these cheeseburgers, add the cheese of your choice immediately after the barbecue sauce and cover your grill for about 30 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.
Mona’s tip:
Toast the hamburger buns for added grill flavor and a satisfying crunch when you bite into them.
Pile on your favorite toppings to build the perfect burger, and don’t forget to pair it with my potato salad. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Hamburger Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Pre-heat your grill to high. We will turn down the temp when we are ready to put the burgers on.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix together until everything is thoroughly combined. If the meat feels a little sticky, add some more breadcrumbs, little by little until the texture feels moist but sturdy.
- Form into large patties. The meat will shrink while cooking
- Turn down the grill temp to medium. Cook for 5 minutes on each side for medium well burgers.
- If making cheese burgers, add cheese after the 5 minutes on the flipped side. Cover for 30 seconds or until the cheese is melted.
- Finally, assemble your burger with the toppings of your choice and enjoy!
