Craving the best hamburger recipe that’s juicy, flavorful, and easy to make at home? This old-fashioned version comes together in minutes using simple ingredients and tastes just like the burgers you remember from childhood.
Updated July 2025: This post has been updated with new tips and clearer instructions to help you make the best hamburger recipe at home. Whether you’re grilling or pan-frying, these old-fashioned burgers are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for any weeknight dinner.
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Make a classic hamburger at home in minutes!
All you need are a few ingredients, and they come together to create a burger that is incredibly tasty, tender, and juicy.
Let's get started!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Grill or Stovetop Friendly - Make juicy burgers in a cast iron skillet, on a grill, or even on a griddle, whatever you’ve got works.
- Simple Seasoning Blend - No complicated spice mix here. Just paprika, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce bring out that classic burger flavor.
- Fully Customizable - Load it up your way with cheddar, onions, lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo, or even a drizzle of barbecue or comeback sauce.
- Comfort Food Classic - Tastes just like the burgers you grew up with. Familiar, satisfying, and always a hit.
Ingredients You'll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the best homemade hamburgers. These are easy to find and deliver bold, classic flavor.
- Ground Beef - Use ground chuck or any ground beef you prefer. An 80/20 fat ratio is ideal for juicy burgers that hold their shape.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Adds deep, savory umami flavor. Don’t skip it, this one ingredient makes a huge difference.
- Fresh Garlic - Two cloves, minced. You can also use garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand.
- Paprika - Adds a touch of smokiness and subtle sweetness.
- Salt - Enhances flavor and keeps the patties from tasting bland.
- Ground Black Pepper - Adds a little bite. Freshly ground is best if available.
Optional Add-Ins
These aren’t required but can be helpful if you want to tweak texture or add more flavor:
- Breadcrumbs - Add a small amount to create a firmer, crispier edge.
- Egg - A lightly beaten egg can help bind the patties if they’re falling apart.
- Seasoning Boosters - Try onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, onion soup mix, or cayenne pepper if you want to mix things up.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
What Kind of Beef Makes the Best Homemade Burgers?
When it comes to the best beef for homemade burgers, fat content is key. You want a cut that delivers flavor, juiciness, and just enough fat to keep the patties from drying out.
Here’s a quick breakdown of popular choices:
- Ground Chuck (Recommended) - This is the gold standard for burgers. With an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio, it gives you rich, beefy flavor and a juicy texture. Perfect for skillet burgers, grilled burgers, or even smash burgers.
- Ground Round - Leaner than chuck, this beef can be a little too dry for burgers unless you mix in extra fat. Better suited for tacos or meat sauce.
- Ground Sirloin - More expensive and leaner, this cut can result in a dry patty on its own. Only use if you’re mixing with a fattier meat like ground sausage.
Bottom Line:
If you want the best homemade hamburger, go with ground chuck (80/20) for flavor, juiciness, and burger-shop results.
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📖 Recipe
Best Hamburger Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 grill or large cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the 1 pound ground beef, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 cloves minced garlic, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir the mixture together to combine.
- Form the mixture into 4 to 5 even size hamburger patties. I prefer to do this by hand.
- Heat the grill to medium heat and add the burgers allowing them to cook 5 to 10 minutes on each side until desired doneness is achieved. This step can also be completed in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat as well.
- Carefully remove the burgers from the hot grill or hot pan onto a serving plate, allowing them to rest while preparing your favorite toppings.
- Serve the burgers immediately between a bun, with your other favorite burger fixings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, slice of cheese, and condiments. Enjoy!
Notes
- Select ground beef with a 20% fat content for a flavorful and juicy hamburger.
- Try not to overcook the meat, once it browns and reaches your desired internal temperature using a meat thermometer you can remove the patty from the heat.
- Tightly form and flatten the patties, doing this will help them to stay together throughout the cooking process. Also forming the patties while the meat is still cold makes the process much easier.
- Flip the burgers as often as you want! This actually helps the burger to cook faster and more evenly. This really isn't a recipe to walk away from.
- Press a dimple into the center of each raw burger patty, this helps to prevent them from shrinking while cooking.
Best Toppings
- Sliced Cheddar or American Cheese
- Pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo
LaKita's Tips & Tricks
- Choose 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful burgers that hold together well.
- Form patties while the meat is cold. It's easier to shape and less sticky.
- Flatten tightly and press a dimple into the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
- Flip often! Contrary to popular belief, flipping burgers multiple times helps them cook more evenly and faster.
- Avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer if needed. Remove once the center hits your preferred doneness.
- Toast the buns in the skillet after cooking for extra flavor and texture.
- For a fun twist: Add shredded cheese inside the patty before cooking for a melty surprise.
FAQs
Ground chuck with an 80/20 fat ratio is best for a juicy, tender burger.
Absolutely. Cook over medium-high heat, flipping once.
Yes. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Refrigerate Leftovers: Store cooked hamburger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them separate from buns and toppings to preserve texture.
- Reheat Gently: Warm burgers in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for a crispy exterior or use the microwave for convenience.
- Freezing Patties: Freeze raw burger patties in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Avoid cooking directly from frozen.
What to Serve With Hamburgers
Want More Tasty Beef Recipes? Try These:
I’d love to hear how your hamburgers turned out! Did you serve it with chips, fries, or something creative? Drop your tips or twists in the comments below. I read every single one.
💌 From my kitchen to yours, happy eating!
Will says
I love this simple hamburger recipe. I even used this recipe for a hamburger omelette, and it came out so good. Thank you !
LaKita says
A hamburger omelette? That sounds so good! I’m glad the recipe worked well for you, thanks for sharing! 🖤
Jane says
I am a huge fan of how simply this recipe was. I already had everything at home !
LaKita says
Thank you, glad that you enjoyed the hamburger recipe 🙂