This easy burger seasoning only takes 5 minutes to whip up and is made with ingredients you likely already have on hand! Take your burgers to the next level with this homemade mix!
The Best Seasoning for Burgers
Burger purists (cough---Bon Appetit---cough, cough) insist the best burger seasoning is simply salt and pepper.
And while a good ol’ salt and pepper burger is still a great burger, I have no problem zhushing things up a bit with a little garlic and onion powder.
That’s where this homemade burger seasoning comes in. It’s a simple blend of just 5 spices that you probably already have in your cupboard.
I love keeping homemade seasoning blends, like Taco Seasoning and Chicken Seasoning on hand for quick dinners, and this burger seasoning is definitely being added to my list of pantry staples.
This spice mix is easy to mix up and keeps for quite a while, so you can have a well seasoned burger in a jiffy!
Ingredients in Homemade Burger Seasoning
- Kosher salt- I prefer Kosher salt over table salt for flavor, but it also makes it harder to over season the meat.
- Ground black pepper- Salt and pepper are the backbone of a good burger seasoning, and we’ve got plenty of each here!
- Garlic powder- Always a welcome flavor enhancer, especially with meats!
- Onion powder- Onion powder amps up the savory ground beef while also adding a touch of sweetness.
- Brown sugar- Speaking of sweetness, we’re adding sugar! This might seem counterintuitive, but that hint of sugar is a really nice contrast to the ultra savory beef. If you prefer, you can omit this, and you’ll still have a delicious seasoning!
- Cayenne pepper- This one is completely optional, but if you like a little heat, cayenne pepper will do the trick!
One thing you won't find in this seasoning blend is paprika. It's used in many burger seasoning recipes, but I personally find it too overpowering. If you love it, feel free to add it!
How to Make Seasoning for Hamburgers
Are you ready for this?
Add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together. You’re ready to season some burgers!
How do you season burgers right?
Here’s the big question. How and when should you season burger patties? Is it best to combine the seasoning with the ground beef before forming it into patties, or is it better to season only the outside of the patties?
I was very curious to find the answer myself, so I tested both methods at home. I was always on Team Season All the Beef, assuming that would be the best way to ensure every morsel was well seasoned.
However, much to my surprise, seasoning the outside of the patties actually delivered a better, more flavorful burger. The seasoning helped form the crust of the burger, and there was plenty of flavor in each bite.
There’s one other benefit to this method. Seasoning only the outside involves less handling of the meat, which makes for an ultra tender burger.
When should you season burgers?
The best time to season burgers is right before they go on the grill or pan. Salt actually draws moisture out of the meat, so we want to add it at the last possible moment to ensure our burgers stay nice and juicy.
Wait until your pan or grill is preheated, then season your burgers and put them right on the grill.
Be sure to visit this post on How to Grill Burgers for more tips to make the juiciest burgers!
More FAQs
How long does hamburger seasoning keep?
The seasoning should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, like these. It will keep for several months. In fact, you could even gift little jars of it to friends and family! It would make a great stocking stuffer.
Can I double it?
Absolutely! Feel free to double or even triple the recipe if you prefer.
How much seasoning do I use?
I use approximately 1 teaspoon of seasoning for every pound of beef. This mix will be enough for 12-15 burgers. To be honest, I season by eye. The seasoning should lightly cover the entire surface of the patties. If it passes the eye test, you’re good!
Burger Recipes to Try It Out
You can use this seasoning blend to amp up any kind of burger. We love it on grilled or Air Fried Burgers, but if you really want to go all out, try it on these Mushroom Swiss Burgers or Double Bacon Cheeseburgers.
You can also use this seasoning on steak!
📖 Recipe
Burger Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Add all of the seasonings to a bowl and whisk together. Seasoning keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature. Use approximately 1 teaspoon for every pound of meat (or 3-4 burgers).
