This must-have hamburger recipe has all you need to know to make delicious burgers with only 4 ingredients!
Big juicy hamburger patties don’t need a lot of ingredients or extras. With just a few great tips, these patties are perfect for cookouts all year ’round!
Turn them into cheeseburgers or add your favorite toppings.
Homemade Hamburgers
- Hamburgers are a classic dish that stands the test of time!
- These homemade patties are easy to make without any fillers or extras.
- Perfect for picnics, parties, and BBQs, try a BYO (Build Your Own) Burger Bar!
- Simply seasoned and easy to freeze for future recipes.
- Leftovers are great in hamburger soup or cooked up Salisbury steak style.
Ingredients in Hamburgers
This hamburger recipe is simple and makes perfect juicy patties.
Ground Beef – A perfect hamburger starts with the right meat. Look for an 80/20 blend of ground beef. It has enough fat to keep the hamburger patties moist without being greasy or causing flare-ups.
Seasonings – Worcestershire sauce not only helps the burger brown, but also adds umami or a nice savory flavor. While I keep these simple, you can level up your homemade burgers with a DIY burger seasoning.
Cheese – I love a slice of cheddar cheese, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Once your burger is done, place a cheese slice atop each patty and let it rest until melted for the perfect cheesburger.
How to Make Hamburger Patties
The best hamburger recipe is simple with just a few ingredients. These contain no breadcrumbs, allowing the flavor to come from the burger itself.
- Mix beef, grated onion, & Worcestershire sauce. Add salt & pepper to taste.
- Form patties & indent the center of each one with your thumb (this prevents the patties from swelling up in the center as they cook).
- Chill before cooking.
- GRILL: On medium heat, cook burgers for 4-5 minutes per side.
- STOVETOP: Use a heavy-duty skillet or cast-iron skillet. Cook the burgers over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
- AIR FRYER: Place prepared patties in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook for 6 minutes, flip, & cook another 3-5 minutes.
Tips for Great Burgers
- Use 80/20 lean ground beef so you have a little fat for great flavor.
- Combine the meat mixture just until mixed; overmixing will make tough burger patties.
- Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to add a dent to the center of each patty. This will keep it from bulging in the center.
Best Burger Toppings
The perfect way to finish of this burger recipe is in fresh hamburger buns with lots of toppings.
- Condiments: Think beyond ketchup and mustard. Add bbq sauce, mayo, or even a little hot sauce or thousand island dressing.
- Toppings: Tomato, lettuce, pickles, and red onion are classic toppings but try bacon, mushrooms, or even fried eggs.
Can you Freeze Hamburger Patties?
Hamburgers can be frozen (raw or cooked and cooled) with parchment paper between each patty for up to a month in the freezer.
Sides to Savor
Did you enjoy this Classic Hamburger Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Classic Hamburger Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck 80/20
- 1 tablespoon onion grated
- 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- salt & pepper
- 4 buns or rolls
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine beef, onion and Worcestershire. Mix just until combined.
- Gently shape into 4 patties, about ¾-inch thick. Using your thumb, create an indent in the center of each burger.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Season the outside of the burgers with salt & pepper.
- Cook burgers about 4-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160°F.
- Rest for 5 minutes. Serve on toasted rolls or buns.
Notes
- Use the large side of a box grater, to grate the onion.
To Cook on the Stove Top
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Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
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Season the outside of the burgers with salt & pepper to taste.
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Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the beef patties and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160°F.
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Rest for 5 minutes. Serve on toasted rolls or buns.
Arrange the prepared patties in a single layer within the air fryer, cooking them for 6 minutes on one side, then flipping them and cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes. Store raw burgers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store cooked burgers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course air fryer, Beef, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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From thick patties for great burgers and meatballs, ground beef is the perfect protien for so many meals.
What temperature do you cook the burgers in the air fryer?
I cook them at 370°F in the air fryer. You can find the full recipe with times and temperatures here.
Great recipes thanks so much for making it easy with my new air frying experience
Thanks for mentioning that burgers always need to rest for a few minutes before serving. My husband loves burgers, so I want to surprise him with some for his birthday this weekend. I don’t typically cook beef, so I’ll definitely need to follow this recipe!
Good luck this your surprise this weekend Eve and happy birthday to your husband!
80/20 of what?
80% of what to 20% of what else? I get it it’s 80% of some kind of ground beef — what’s the other 20%? Is it 80% beef, 20% onions? That seems like a lot of onions.
I’ve been cooking burgers for years but I thought I’d try something new in this recipe. Unfortunately, I just don’t know what you mean… Too much assumed.
Hi Peter, that’s a great question! 80/20 refers to the lean beef to fat ratio when buying ground chuck from the store. You can buy ground beef with different fat ratios from extra lean (a 93/7 ratio of lean beef to fat), lean (85/15), to regular (70/30). A ground beef with a higher fat content will make have more flavor and keep the burgers moist and juicy. I hope this helps!
I made this with a bunch of Worcestershire sauce and the onions and added some bell pepper and mixed it all together. Then made the hamburgers and they are in the fridge for later to grill! I bet they will be yummy. I am not a big HAMBURGER fan as they are usually boring. Not tonite~! Some corn on the cob and baked beans it will be the best!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Kris!
Who would’ve thought there’s a recipe for a really good hamburger. Well… me actually… and I knew Spend With Pennies would have it. Thanks for being my go to recipe place!
You’re too kind, Joyce! But we are so happy you enjoyed this recipe.
A trick I learned a long time ago. If you poke a hole in the center of the burger before grilling it will cook through more quickly without drying out
Thanks for the tip Mary, we will have to try that out!
The fact that as a bachelor I say this for everything does not mean it’s not true: wonderful delicious thank you very much.
You’re very welcome Mike!!
We’ve been making hamburgers for years; these were the best we’ve ever made. Thank you. : )
Jesus is Good.
Hi! Holly im glad i found your recipes im new in cooking and im willing to learn from you but i want to start with easy recipes that will help me to be confident and thank you about information i wish you all the best
Thanks so much, Naledi! So happy we are able to help :)
This is basic as promised, but I was hoping to see your recipe for the hamburger dressing that looks like the Big Mac sauce.
The dressing is Thousand Island dressing.
Holly, I just love your recipes, nice and easy to follow ,even for a mere male .
Thanks so much John, glad you’re enjoying them!! :) Happy Cooking!