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My Famous Burger Seasoning Recipe is the best burger seasoning for grilling! Mix it up using easy spices from your pantry in just minutes. Try this burger seasoning mix just once, and you'll never want to use simple salt and pepper again!
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Burger Seasoning
My family and friends are always telling me I make the best burgers. I am literally "famous" for my burger recipes! It all comes down to one little secret... my hamburger seasoning. And I'm sharing it with you!
Yes, you can use salt and pepper; if you use great quality beef, simple seasoning still makes a fantastic burger. But once you try my burger seasoning mix... you won't want to make them any other way!
The trick to creating a good burger seasoning is to mix flavors for the most tender, juicy burger with a beautiful crust. That's what makes my mix the best burger seasoning recipe!
Best Burger Seasoning
- Sea Salt: Maldon Sea Salt Flakes is my salt of choice, but if you don't have sea salt, kosher salt is the next best thing. I don't recommend using a finer table salt.
- Black Pepper: You can also use cayenne pepper! I prefer freshly ground black pepper.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika is smoky, sweet, and works to enhance the overall flavor of the seasoning. If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular, sweet, or hot paprika, but keep in mind it will change the taste.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder has a slightly sweet, savory flavor to it that you can't get from fresh onions. Even if you're topping your burger with onions, definitely include this seasoning.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a garlicky, savory kick to seasoning and is a great stand-in for fresh garlic. You can also use granulated garlic, but you may need to use a bit more to achieve the same taste.
Burger Seasoning Variations
- Try using Himalayan Sea Salt or salts infused with herbs to tailor the flavor of your burger seasoning!
- Other than cayenne pepper, you can also use white pepper, pink peppercorns, or mixed peppercorns.
- In place of smoked paprika, try chipotle powder or any variety of Spanish Pimentón for a twist in the flavor profile of your burgers.
- Instead of onion powder, you can use shallot powder, or toasted onion powder.
- For garlic powder, try swapping it out for roasted garlic powder or garlic salt. If you use garlic salt, make sure to cut down on using any other salt.
Additionally, consider these extra ingredients for more variations:
- Herbs: Dried herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, or basil all add a pleasant herb flavor.
- Mustard Powder: Tangy and sharp, mustard powder is a great addition to burger seasoning.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is great for enhancing BBQ burgers!
- Cumin: Try adding cumin to give your burger a warm and earthy tone - it's great for Tex-Mex burgers!
- Chili Powder: Adds spice and complexity. This would be a great complement to a taco burger.
- Lemon Zest: If you love the fresh, zippy taste of lemon, try adding some zest and pairing it with a Mediterranean-style burger.
Hamburger Seasoning Recipe
- Add salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to a small bowl or plate.
- Mix well to combine.
- Season your favorite burgers with our burger seasoning mix. I highly recommend sprinkling the seasoning on the patties and gently pressing down to ensure it sticks. Do not mix the seasoning blend into the meat before forming the patty.
- Follow directions on how to cook the perfect burger.
Burger Spices Tips
- This spice blend is also excellent on turkey or chicken burgers.
- I highly recommend sprinkling the seasoning on the patties and gently pressing down to ensure it sticks. Do not mix the seasoning into the meat before forming the patty.
- I like to make a big batch of this spice blend and keep it in my spice rack for whenever I am ready to make burgers.
- I love adding caramelized onions and burger sauce.
Homemade Burger Seasoning FAQs
Label your burger seasoning mix in an empty spice container or jar. Store it with your other seasonings!
I do not recommend mixing the seasoning into your ground beef. Either season your patties just before grilling them but after forming them, or season them while they're cooking on the grill or in a pan.
Easy Burger Recipes
- Smash Burger Recipe
- Mushroom and Swiss Burger
- Air Fryer Burger
- BBQ Burgers
- Wagyu Burgers
- Smoked Burgers
Check out my favorite gourmet burger recipes. If you love a good burger recipe that is super easy to prepare and feeds a crowd, my hamburger casserole is perfection!
Burger Temperature
Always follow my guide for the perfect temperature for your burgers. This is the perfect guide to How Long to Cook Burgers!
The USDA recommends ground beef be cooked to a minimum of 160°F.
| Doneness | Temperature | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 120-125°F | Bright reddish pink throughout |
| Medium-rare | 130-135°F | Pink throughout |
| Medium | 140-145°F | Slightly pink at the center |
| Medium-well | 150-155°F | Mostly brown throughout, with some pink |
| Well-done | 150-155°F | Brown throughout |
Best Beef Seasoning Recipes
- Homemade Steak Seasoning
- Chili Seasoning Recipe
- Prime Rib Rub
- Meatball Seasoning
- Sloppy Joe Seasoning
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Our Famous Burger Seasoning
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
Instructions
- Add salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to a bowl or plate.1½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Mix well to combine.
- Season your favorite burgers with our burger seasoning mix and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
» About Me
- Grilled Beef Tenderloin - March 14, 2024
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- Burger with Egg - March 5, 2024
Bettie says
Sounds delicious!
Em Beitel says
Thank you Bettie! It is delicious!
Nomad says
How much meat for this concoction? 1lb 3lbs
Em Beitel says
Thank you for your question! For this amount of seasoning, we used 1 lb.!
Edward says
I would cut back on the salt a little bit and add a little sage!
Karissa j Thomas says
I agree! I've made this twice now. First time used recipe exactly. Too much salt and our family loves salt. Usually we find we end up adding extra salt to recipes. Second time I used 3/4 tsp salt and my fam said that was the perfect amount! Still use the base of recipe though. Just halve the salt content.
Isabel Laessig says
Very glad to hear you and your family enjoy this seasoning, Karissa! Thank you for your comment!
Mary Good says
How many pounds of meat do you pair one batch of the seasoning with? Seems like a lot of salt, I usually cook with 1 lb of beef when I make burgers. Looks like a great recipe!
Em Beitel says
Hi there! This recipe is for seasoning suitable for 1 pound of beef. This is a very tasty seasoning and will create a very flavorful burger. If you prefer a milder flavor, I would recommend starting with half of the seasoning.
Aimee Hannan says
How much of this do you use per pound?
Thanks!
Em Beitel says
Hi there! This recipe is for seasoning suitable for 1 pound of beef. This is a very tasty seasoning and will create a very flavorful burger. If you prefer a milder flavor, I would recommend starting with half of the seasoning. Thank you, Aimee!
Wes says
Makes an awesome chicken wing rub as well, deep fry wings then shake them in this spice after they are done cooking, pretty good!
Em Beitel says
That's awesome, Wes! Thank you so much for sharing, we're glad you enjoyed it!
DD says
What about air fryer? Just wonder
Em Beitel says
Hi! You could definitely use this seasoning for an air fryer burger. We have one here you can use it with: Air Fryer Burger Recipe
Charlotte Hillis says
Great seasoning! I mixed it in with the ground beef before grilling, and it was great. I will, however, cut the salt down by 1/2 tsp next time, as it was a little bit salty.
Em Beitel says
We're so glad you enjoyed it, Charlotte! Thank you for your comment!
Ginny says
Love this recipe! Thank you for sharing. 😊
Em Beitel says
So glad you love it, Ginny! Thank you for your comment!
Ginny says
Love this seasoning. 5 STARS all the way! Thank you for sharing.
Rebecca Cravens says
This is the only recipe I ever use for hamburger seasoning. It's the best!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Rebecca! We're so glad you enjoy it!
Teresa says
This is the best burger seasoning I have found, thanks for sharing. I used 1lb of beef and split into 4 patty's. I only used 1.5tsp of this seasoning and it was incredibly yummy.
Isabel Laessig says
So glad you enjoyed it, Teresa! Thank you very much!