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A good burger should not be about additional ingredients that cover up nonexistent flavors. Instead, a good burger starts with good ground beef. Some people choose to have a special cut ground specifically for them by their butcher. That makes a burger slightly more time-consuming. Instead, choose to look for ground beef that is good quality.

What is good-quality ground beef?

When trying to find good-quality ground beef, look for grass-fed, sustainably raised beef. This kind of beef is often grown using regenerative farming practices. Grass-fed beef also has high omega fats, sometimes as high as wild-caught salmon. More importantly, the flavor will be unmatched.

Top down view of grilled burger sitting on sandwich bun with top bun half sitting halfway on burger with cheese, lettuce, and tomato
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The ingredients in these grilled burgers

  • Ground beef is the entire point of burgers. For the best flavor, choose ground beef that’s 80-85% lean. The fat content is important to achieve juicy burgers. Fat also carries flavor and will result in a better-tasting burger.
  • Beef bouillon is a secret way to increase the natural beef flavor in the burgers. Personally, I look for the Better Than Bouillon brand beef base. This product is created in a stock that cooks beef with some vegetables. It’s then condensed to create rich beef bouillon.
  • Dried minced onion provides instant onion flavor without any crunchy raw onion. Raw onion in burgers often doesn’t fully cook on the grill, so this is a great alternative.
  • Neutral oil, such as grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil, is an oil that has no flavor. Personally, I use avocado even though it does impart a bit of flavor. A little bit of oil provides richness to the meat and helps the burgers not to stick to the grill.
  • Salt is one of the most important ingredients. It seasons the meat and brings out more flavor than any other ingredient. Once the burgers are placed on the grill, make sure to salt the outside of the burger as well.

Summer is the time for grilling and grilling is for burgers. A good burger recipe will be with you for life and be used time and again. This recipe is simple, carefree, and full of flavor. I guess it’ll be with you for life!

Top down view of yellow picnic cloth with grilled burger sitting on white plate with lots of toppings and side dishes around
Two hands holding burger bun with grilled burger in the middle topped with ketchup and lettuce and tomato

More Summer Recipes

Watch How to Make These Grilled Burgers

YouTube video

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The Best Grilled Burgers

5 from 7 votes
There's nothing more quintessentially summer than a good grilled burger straight from the grill! This burger made entirely from beef is flavorful, juicy, and super delicious! If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing sandwich, this is the recipe to use!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 ¼-lb patties
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Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef (80-85% lean)
  • 1 tbsp beef bouillon
  • 1 tbsp dried minced onion
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl combine the ground beef, beef bouillon, dried minced onion, oil, salt, and pepper. Mix together, making sure the ingredients are well combined. Weigh out or visually create 6-8 equal balls, depending on the number of burgers desired. Press the balls into patties, about ½-inch thick. The patties can be made several hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to grill.
    2 lb ground beef (80-85% lean), 1 tbsp beef bouillon, 1 tbsp dried minced onion, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp neutral oil, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Heat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates and place patties on the grate. Let cook for 3-5 minutes per side depending on personal preference. Once grilled, remove the burgers from the grill and serve.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Serving: You can put any number of toppings with these burgers: ketchup, mustard, and my favorite homemade burger sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pattyCalories: 260 kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. Nancy says:

    5 stars
    Made Kaleb’s Hamburgers and his Cucumber Salad for our first of the year cookout today and it was perfect!
    These will be on our menu forever more!

  2. Sue Kuly says:

    Hi Kaleb:

    I plan on making these burgers and the sauce for my son’s birthday.

    Would these freeze well if I made them ahead of time?

    Thank you.

    Sue

    1. Kaleb Wyse says:

      Hello! Yes they freeze very well. I form the patties, then freeze so they are easy to handle before packaging in an airtight container.

  3. Mary says:

    What did you use to press the burgers after you formed them into a ball?

  4. Carolyn Gerber says:

    5 stars
    The very best burgers ever!

  5. Louise O'Sullivan says:

    5 stars
    Hi Kaleb! I made these burgers last night they were amazing. I love watching your videos because even at 68 I learn something from you.
    I have never added the beef bouillon or the 2 Tbsp of oil to my meat before. The whole experience was delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. I have made quite a few of your recipes.

  6. Elizabeth says:

    I truly enjoy your videos and monthly newsletter. I find them both informational and enjoyable.

  7. Jeffrey says:

    5 stars
    I made these burgers for Memorial Day and they were delish! I topped them with just smoked pepper jack cheese and in between a whole wheat bun and I was so happy with how they turned out. Very flavorful and well worth making your own patties! Thanks, K