Today, we’re sharing a delicious and juicy burger recipe that is sure to become a new favorite in your household. Plus, the four secrets that will make every homemade burger turn out perfectly every time. Whether you’re cooking for a group or just want to treat yourself to a tasty meal, this recipe is easy to follow and delivers mouthwatering results every time. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Why I Love This Juicy Burger Recipe
I’ve been married for 30 years and my husbands #1 most favorite food on this planet is hamburgers. He could eat them every night at not get tired of them. Seriously. And now that we are no longer living through the brutal winters in Mnnestoa, we can grill year-round here in Arizona. That means we have these hamburgers once a week. And I make enough so he can warm up a few for lunches as well during the week.
I have lost count of how many friends and family we have given this juicy burger recipe to after they’ve come over for a backyard BBQ. They all want to know what my “secret ingredient” is for such amazing, juicy burgers but it’s nothing but quality ground beef and kosher salt. No, it’s not putting an ice cube inside the burger. Or butter. Or any other crazy “hack” you’ve seen on the internet. It’s just an amazing homemade burger made simply and deliciously
Juicy Burger Recipe Ingredients and Supplies
Making a delicious, juicy burger is so easy and you don’t need any special tools and there are no special ingredients. Everything is available at your local grocery store.
- 80/20 ground beef
- Kosher salt
- Charcoal or gas grill
- Digital scale
How To Make Juicy Burgers
These four secrets will teach you how to make a juicy burger every single time and are backed completely by science! Plus, I’ve also included the best homemade burger recipe for you to print and use.
Time needed: 20 minutes.
How to Make Juicy Burgers
- Use 80/20 Ground Beef For The Best Burgers
Ground beef comes in all percentages of beef to fat ratio. An 80/20 mix means there is 80% beef and 20% fat in one pound of meat. While a leaner ground beef ratio may be a bit healthier in other applications, if a juicy burger is really important to you, that 20% fat is necessary. On the opposite side of the coin, if you go with a ratio that is higher in fat, like the inexpensive 70/30 mix, you will end up with a greasy burger with not enough meatiness. And, that will shrink significantly as it cooks. Grab that 80/20 mixture. It’s the most popular ground beef for a reason.
- The Best Burgers Require Kosher Salt
While we all have iodized salt in our cabinets because it is the cheapest at the store, that doesn’t mean it is the best salt for cooking. Not only does the addition of iodine alter the flavor of whatever you are cooking, but its tiny crystal size makes it dissolve too quickly, leading to over-salting. If you remember only one point from this juicy burger recipe, let it be this: everything you cook and bake will taste better if you use kosher salt instead of iodized salt!
And please, don’t come at me in the comments about how we need the additional iodine in our diets. That used to be true 50 years ago but if you eat a standard, modern-day diet, you have more than enough iodine in your diet from other sources.
When it comes time to salt your juicy burgers, it is important to not be shy. The best ratio is 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon for every 6-ounce patty. You should be able to see the kosher salt on the outside of your patties before you toss them on the grill. - Do Not Salt Your Burgers Until Right Before You Grill Them
If you salt your burgers to soon, the kosher salt will immediately begin to draw out the water and break down the proteins in the meat. That is a great thing if you are making a chewy sausage, but since you are here looking for a tender, juicy burger recipe, please wait to generously salt them until right before tossing them on a hot grill. Trust me, this simple step makes a massive difference in the end result.
- Don’t Overwork The Ground Beef
When you form the ground beef into patties, try to work it and handle it as little as possible. Once the patties are formed, you should still be able to see many of the individual strands of the ground beef. And since you are only seasoning the outside of the burger with kosher salt, this will be really easy. No need to work in any seasonings, binders, or extras into the meat like you would a meatloaf.
Simply weigh out a 1/3 pound of ground beef, roll it gently into a ball, then form it into a patty about 25% bigger than your bun since it will shrink as it grills. You can watch the short video in this post to see how to easily do this. It also helps to create a two-inch dent in the center of the patty to keep the burger from swelling in the center as it cooks.
Juicy Burger Recipe FAQs
If your burger turns out dry, check the following three areas that are the usual suspects. First, be sure you are using 80 / 20 ground beef. It has the perfect amount of fat for a juicy burger, without letting it shrink too much. Up next, check that the kosher salt didn’t hit the burger until right before going on the grill. Salting too early draws out moisture from the meat, resulting in a dry burger. Lastly, be sure you don’t overcook the hamburger. Juicy burgers should have just a hint of pink on the inside.
There is no one secret, despite all the “hacks” you have seen on social media. Adding other “secret” ingredients only mess with the flavor and texture of the hamburger. Simply use quality ingredients, don’t salt the burgers until they go onto the grill, and don’t overcook them. It’s a simple as that.
Can I add more seasonings to this juicy burger recipe?
Yes, you can. However, I suggest making this juicy burger recipe as written first. When you use the proper ground beef and kosher salt, it’s amazing how much flavor is in every bite. Usually people add seasonings to hamburgers to try to make them taste better. But when you follow this juicy burger recipe and secrets, there’s no need. It will be the best burger you’ve ever made without any thing extra added.
Homemade Burger Recipe Variations
Being a home cook provides endless opportunities to experiment with recipes, personalizing them to your tastes and creativity. Any of the following variations would be great spin-offs of this juicy burger recipe..
- Take them spicy by adding some pickled jalapenos to the top of the finished burger, or shaking some red pepper flakes to the top of the burger before grilling.
- Add smokiness with a few slices of cooked bacon to the top of the finished burger, or shaking some smoked paprika on the burger before grilling.
- Include a hint of sweetness to the bun with a spread of jam, or add a slices of pear to the burger after grilling.
- Add flavorful cheeses and leave behind the American cheese. Add cheeses with a stronger flavor profile that will add some interest to the burger. Gorgonzola, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, and Swiss cheese would all be great additions.
What To Serve With Juicy Burgers
Since you’ve just found the perfect juicy burger recipe, let’s pair that up with some amazing side dishes that are perfect for a backyard cook out or BBQ.
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is the best summer side dish you will make! Loaded with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, and bacon, plus a simple homemade salad dressing drizzled over the top. It is super quick and easy, plus makes a great side for a BBQ or cookout.
- Grilled Romaine Lettuce If you’ve never grilled lettuce before, you are about to have your world flipped upside down! This grilled romaine with balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese is a favorite side dish recipe during the grilling season. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar create the salad dressing drizzled over the top with a fresh grating of Parmesan cheese!
- Grilled Baked Potatoes Love baked potatoes but don’t want to turn your oven on this summer? I’ve gotcha covered my friend with these amazing grilled baked potatoes in foil! They make an easy side dish with fluffy insides and flavorful potato skin.
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad is packed with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and a dash of mayo to make it taste like your favorite stuffed potato. This creamy recipe will turn your potato salad haters into potato salad lovers. This easy BBQ side dish recipe will be an instant hit for all your summer parties and backyard gatherings.
How to Make a Juicy Burger Video
Looking For More Great Grilling Recipes?
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Print
Simple Juicy Burger Recipe
These burgers turn out perfectly juicy and tender every single time!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 large burgers 1x
Ingredients
2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
3 – 3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high.
- Divide ground beef into six – 1/3 pound servings. Gently roll into balls. Gently press into patties that are about 25% larger than your buns. Make a 2 inch wide dimple in the center of each patty.
- Do not salt the patties until right before you put them on the grill.
- Salt generously on both sides of the patties, and place on the hot grill. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook for 2-5 minutes longer depending on how you like your burgers. 2 minutes will have a pink interior and 5 will be well done.
Notes
You can make these patties ahead of time, cover them well, and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days before grilling. Remember, don’t salt them until right before grilling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 1069 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
Keywords: juicy burger recipe, homemade burger
Josh says
Followed these secrets for Labor Day and the result was fantastic! Thanks Carole!!
Yea!!! I’m so glad you gave them a try Josh. Seriously, we had these burgers once a week over the summer 🙂
Ryan Kilgore says
Results are great my dad tried the recipe and it was good thanks Carole.
Awesome! So glad to hear it Ryan and thank you for coming back to leave a review.