If you love burgers as much as we do at Chowhound, then this barbecue burger recipe will be right up your alley.
This delicious BBQ hamburger has all the components necessary for an amazing meal.
What Are The Ingredients In A BBQ Hamburger?
The first thing that makes this recipe stand out from other hamburgers is its sauce.
Instead of using ketchup or mayonnaise, it uses a sweet tomato-based barbecue sauce called Smokin’ Tex Barbecue Sauce by Smithfield Foods.
The sauce itself contains some of the best flavor enhancers we know, like paprika, chili powder, garlic, cumin, onion, oregano, and salt.
You can mix these into your favorite meat product with no problem.
To add more flavor to your barbecue burger, you should consider using ground beef instead of whole chuck steak.
Whole chuck steaks have a lot of collagen which means they don’t break down easily when cooked quickly over high heat.
Ground beef on the other hand breaks down very well so there is less need for extra seasoning.
Next, you’ll want to choose your toppings.
Most people go with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, cheese, etc., but if you’re looking for something different, try adding grilled jalapeños (remove seeds before eating) or roasted red peppers to your burger.
If you’ve never had a burger with bacon, now is the time to give them a try.
They taste great with any kind of meat.
And if you’d like to get creative even further, you could always grill pineapple rings on top of your burger too.
Another key ingredient in a good BBQ burger is the bun.
While most buns are made of white flour, you can use a gluten free bread option such as a multi grain bagel roll or a pita pocket to keep you healthy and help reduce cholesterol intake.
How Do You Make A BBQ Hamburger?
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (or any other sweet-sour flavor)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 sesame seed buns
- 8 ounces of mustard or mayonnaise
- lettuce leaves
- tomato slices
- onion rings
- ketchup
Preparation:
- Mix together the first six ingredients (ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, cayenne). Make sure that there aren’t any large chunks of meat remaining from when you ground it.
- Form into four patties about ½ inch thick.
- Season each side with additional salt and pepper.
- Add one slice of cheese on top of each patty.
- Place two buns split open on a baking sheet.
- Cover each bun with half of the lettuce, tomato, onion ring, and another patty.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of mustard on each bottom bun.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of ketchup over the tops of both buns.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy!
What Is The Best BBQ Hamburger Recipe?
The secret behind these tasty sandwiches is in the seasoning blend that we use.
Our homemade spice mix includes onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, salt, sugar, and dried oregano.
The spices are mixed with olive oil and packed into small jars before being stored away until needed.
This homemade barbecue sauce uses tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, and liquid smoke (which adds smoky flavor).
We recommend using a natural smoked meat like hickory wood or applewood chips for this recipe because it gives off more of a smokiness than regular charcoal briquettes.
These ingredients create a great taste on any kind of sandwich, but they’re especially effective when combined together in one simple formula.
To put it simply, our homemade barbecue hamburgers contain “everything good about beef burgers and everything good about barbecued meats.”
They have a nice crusty exterior from the char-grilled bun while keeping their inside moist enough to hold together without falling apart.
Our secret ingredient is the homemade spice blend, which we think elevates this BBQ hamburger recipe above others.
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of making your own, there are plenty of other options available online if you want to save some time.
Check out the links below to find out what products you can buy to recreate them yourself!
Homemade Seasoning Blend
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Once you have made your seasoning blend, follow the instructions below to make your BBQ hamburger recipe.
How Do You Grill A BBQ Hamburger?
Grilling is one of our favorite ways to prepare food.
The flavor of meat cooked over coals is unparalleled, especially when it’s done with a little bit of smoke added in.
If you want a burger that tastes like a real-deal barbecued beef patty, then you should try grilling it instead of cooking it in the oven or frying it on the stovetop.
The secret to making a good grilled burger lies in how well it cooks while being seared on the surface.
A lot of times people overcook their burgers because they don’t realize that grilling is different from other methods of preparing food.
For example, if you use too high heat, your burger can get dry and tough.
You also have to keep in mind that there are different types of surfaces (grills) that require different temperatures for optimal performance.
There are three main factors to consider when grilling a burger, including temperature, time, and type of grill.
Let us take a look at each of them.
- Temperature: The ideal temperature range for grilling a burger depends on what type of grill you are using. Generally speaking, medium-low heat is used for indoor gas grills and electric ones. Medium-high heat is usually reserved for outdoor charcoal grills.
- Time: How long should you grill your burger? That depends largely on its thickness. Thicker patties need more time than thinner ones. There is no standard duration for grilling burgers, but some experts recommend waiting until a thermometer reaches 160°F/71°C before removing the burger from the grill.
- Type of Grill: Different kinds of grills work differently. For instance, wood fires tend to produce less intense smoke than charcoal grates. Gas grills are faster and easier to clean compared to traditional wood burning pits.
What Kind Of Cheese Do You Put On A BBQ Hamburger?
The answer is simple.
You can use any kind of cheese that goes well with beef.
If you want something tangy like blue cheese or goat’s milk feta, go ahead.
However, if you prefer milder cheeses such as cheddar or mozzarella, by all means choose those options.
Just keep in mind that they’ll melt away quickly when cooking so don’t forget to serve them before eating.
How Do You Make A BBQ Hamburger Sauce?
The first step in making the best BBQ hamburgers ever is choosing the right ingredients.
The secret ingredient that makes these burgers so good is barbecue sauce.
You can use any brand of barbecue sauce, but if you want to go with something extra special, try using our homemade version.
You’ll find it here.
For more information about how to make a great BBQ hamburger sauce, see below.
For tips on preparing meat for cooking, check out these helpful guides from Chowhound.
Step 1: Preparing the Meat
There isn’t anything worse than undercooked meat or overcooked meat, so start by prepping your ground beef properly before putting it in the oven.
Here are five things you should know before you begin grinding your own beef:
- Use lean meats such as chuck steak, sirloin, flank steak, bottom round, eye-round roast, short ribs, brisket, or tri tip.
- Remove excess fat from the cutlets (if applicable)
- Wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a large resealable bag
- Add fresh ice packs directly on top of the meat until ready to refrigerate
- Flatten the frozen meat into a single layer when thawing
Step 2: Making the Burger Buns
Now that the meat is prepared, you need to get started on the buns.
Using two standard white sandwich rolls, split each one down the middle lengthwise.
Place the halves back together to form a hollow cylinder shape.
Then lightly brush both sides of the bread with olive oil.
Step 3: Grinding Your Own Beef
Next, you’re going to grind your own beef.
To ensure even distribution throughout the meat, use a food processor fitted with the coarse blade attachment.
If you don’t have a food processor, you can also process the meat manually by hand by cutting the meat into small cubes and pounding it with a mallet or rolling pin until it becomes fine enough to blend well.
Just remember not to overwork the meat or else it will turn tough.
Step 4: Mixing Up the Sauce
After you finish grinding the beef, mix up the barbeque sauce.
In a medium sized bowl, combine the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, liquid smoke, hot sauce, and Tabasco sauce.
Whisk everything thoroughly to incorporate the seasonings evenly.
Step 5: Adding Cheese
Once the sauce is mixed, add in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Use your hands to gently fold the cheese through the sauce.
Make sure there aren’t clumps of cheese left behind.
When finished mixing, set aside until needed.
What Are Some Toppings For A BBQ Hamburger?
Toppings can add flavor, texture, or just more fun to your hamburgers.
Here are some of our favorites from Chowhound members:
- Honey mustard mayo (or ranch)
- Sliced red onion
- Pickled jalapeños
- Crispy bacon bits
- Chopped pickles
- Cheese slices
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Dill pickle chips
- Bacon-wrapped hot dogs
You can also try adding any of these ingredients if they sound good to you:
- Ketchup
- Barbecue sauce
- Hot pepper jelly
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Ranch dressing
- Sweet relish
The sky’s the limit when it comes to toppings on your burgers.
The key is finding what works best with each ingredient in the recipe.
If you have other favorite toppings that aren’t listed here, feel free to share them below!
How Do You Make A Healthier BBQ Hamburger?
Most of us know that it’s important to eat healthy foods so they can provide our bodies with what we need in order to stay well-nourished and active.
However, sometimes eating healthy isn’t always possible, especially when you want to enjoy tasty food too.
That’s where barbecue burgers come into play.
This BBQ hamburger recipe uses lean ground beef, which allows you to get plenty of protein without having to worry about fat content.
The extra flavor comes from adding bbq sauce and other spices, like garlic powder and chili powder.
If you prefer something lighter on your stomach, try making this BBQ hamburger using turkey instead of beef.
What Are Some Alternative BBQ Hamburger Recipes?
BBQ hamburgers are one of our favorite types of meat dishes that can easily fit into any type of dietary lifestyle.
The main component of these great burgers is beef that is cooked on the grill with a special rub made from spices and herbs.
These burgers are also served with a variety of toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, cheese, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and more.
What Are Some Tips For Making The Perfect BBQ Hamburger?
The key to a great BBQ hamburger is in the prep work.
As with any cooking technique, it’s important that the ingredients are prepared correctly before putting them on the grill or into the pan.
Here are several things to keep in mind when preparing these tasty burgers:
- Make sure there is plenty of room between each patty so they don’t stick together while grilling.
- Grill the patties over medium heat until well-cooked through.
- Remove from the grill when both sides have been seared for about 3 minutes per side (or longer if desired). The burgers should still be slightly pink inside.
- Don’t press down hard on the patties – just use enough pressure to flatten them out but not too much to squeeze out the juices.
- Let the burgers rest for 5 to 10 minutes after removing from the grill/pan.
- Once rested, top with your favorite toppings like cheese, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.
- Serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 3 tablespoons onion diced
- 2 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
- Hamburger buns for serving
Instructions
- All burger ingredients should be blended just enough in a big bowl.
- Create 4 equal-sized patties out of the meat. Make an indentation in the middle of each patty with your thumb.
- Until the burgers are cooked to your preference, grill them over medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes on each side.
- Brush a bit additional barbecue sauce on top of the burgers during the final minute of cooking. If using cheese as a topping, add the cheese and let it start to melt.
- The burgers should be taken from the grill and given some time to rest. Enjoy by placing on buns with your preferred toppings.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.