A burger is a classic American favorite, which is perfect for grilling outdoors during the summer months. As a food traditionalist I like to keep recipes simple, but it doesn’t mean you can’t elevate them to the best they can be. Today I am sharing how we make the best, most flavorful burger ever around here with just a few key ingredients and tips!

In keeping with a basic hamburger recipe, but making it the best it can be, I have developed this flavorful burger recipe. I will share how we make our burgers around here, and you can always tweak it to your dietary needs and desires. Enjoy!

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Inspiration behind the Best, most Flavorful Burger Ever

Personally I love a good burger. There are gourmet burgers and there are McDonald’s burgers and everything in between. Truth be told I eat all of them. I’ve had ostrich burgers and turkey burgers and veggie burgers and more, but today I want to focus on the traditional beef hamburger. I am sharing how we make burgers around here, and they prove to be tasty and special for a homemade burger.

They’re layers of flavor in this recipe and certain techniques, which makes for some tasty bites. I have developed all the components through the years based on how our family prefers to eat. I think it’s so yummy; I want to share with you. Remember, this is my recipe and suggestions, but feel free to adapt it to your preferences BUT trust me when I tell you it’s super flavorful. Please, by all means, make it yours and enjoy.

The Recipe for the Best, most Flavorful Burger Ever

Ingredients

1 lb. ground meat {Kobe or Wagyu recommended}
4 tsp Farmhouse Tuscan Spice Blend
4 slices Havarti Cheese
4 Brioche Hamburger Buns
S&P to taste

Cooking Pro Tip: Always read a recipe all the way through before starting. Then re-read the recipe and assemble all your ingredients so you are fully prepared, knowing all the things you need (ingredients and tools included).

Instructions

Assemble all ingredients
Divide ground meat until 4 equal parts of 1/4 lb each

In one section of the ground meat make a divot in the center and add 1 tsp of the spice blend

Surround the spices with the meat, (almost like a meatball) and knead the ground beef to incorporate the spices evenly throughout

Form into patty and repeat same steps with each section of ground meat, forming 4 seasoned hamburger meat patties
Season with salt and pepper to taste on top of burger patties

Start grill and bring to medium temperature
When ready to cook, place patties on grill and cook on one side for 2 minutes and then flip

Once patties are flipped to the other side place buns open faced on the grill

Cook for two minutes on second side
Place one cheese slice on each patty right before it’s done cooking

Remove buns from grill and place on serving platter
Once cheese is melted place patties on grilled buns

Burger is ready for desired garnishes and condiments
Bon Appetit!

Cooking Pro Tip: Add salt on top of burger to sear in flavor; if you include salt with other spices incorporated into patty will cause the meat to dry out while cooking.

The Layers behind the Best, most Flavorful Burger Ever

Choice of Meat

Like I said, this is a classic beef burger, but it doesn’t mean I use prefabricated basic beef patties. Instead I seek out some flavorful meat options like Kobe beef or Waygu. This doesn’t mean it’s super expensive, hear me out. I found Kobe beef patties at my local Smart & Final. A pack of 4 sold for $6.99 when I started buying them years ago. Fast forward to today and yes, prices are higher. But that being said I recently bought this Wagyu 1 lb. ground meat pack for $9.99. It is considerably more now, relatively speaking, but it’s still less than $2.50 for each serving.

Ok, that’s enough about the economics part of the program. The point is that using choice ground meat imparts so much great flavor into your homemade burger. Whether you buy it in bulk form or premade patties doesn’t matter. You will see during the recipe section why this is.

Spices are Critical

Ok, this is the key component in all the flavorful layers. If you choose to use regular beef patties, that’s fine, but I highly urge you not to skip this step. I discovered this Tuscan Farmhouse Blend from Salt Sisters while I worked at Whim House. It’s a game changer! It adds so much flavor, which no matter how often we have burgers around here everyone always comments on how fabulous the flavor is. It’s key!

If you don’ t want another random spice packet in your cupboard, I totally get it. If anything you can use your one spices and make your own mix, including dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes plus garlic and onion powder. I would use equal amounts of all the spices to create your own mix. You might like it so much, you will end up using it in other dishes as we do around here,

Cream-y Cheese Please

So I am a huge Havarti cheese fan. The creaminess of Havarti is the perfect pairing to the punch of flavor imparted by the spices in the Tuscan Farmhouse Blend. I like the addition of cheese on my burger, which makes it a cheeseburger I guess. I understand not everyone can add cheese for medical, dietary or life choice reasons. But if you do indulge, Havarti is a fabulous choice.

A close second for cheese choices for me are Monterey Jack or Munster cheese. If you do cheese, I think a creamy choice is the best pairing for the spicy blend. But that’s me, you do you.

Don’t Neglect the Bun

I’ve narrowed down my bun selection to a brioche style bun. Although a regular style bun or sesame seed bun also works. The key to the bun in my opinion is grilling it. When the burgers are almost done cooking, place the buns open face down on the grill to provide a nice charred flavor.

Not only does this give the buns added flavor, but it also warms up the buns and adds another fabulous layer of texture. It gives it a crunch that is very different from the crunch from the garnishes, which all work together heavenly.

Garnishes are Super Important

Garnishes bring freshness to the burger, which is necessary to balance out the richness of the beef patty and cheese. I like to serve an assortment to give everyone varied choices. My go to are, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado. Of course this is not an exclusive list, and please feel free to include whatever garnishes you prefer, but I recommend including some kind of fresh elements.

There are so many additional options including pickles, slaws and more. The garnishes not only add freshness to the layers on the burger, but they also add crunch and texture to the burger stack. This all elevates your eating experience and tickles the palate.

Condiments- You Know that Special Sauce Thing

Last, but certainly not least are all the condiments. My preferences include ketchup, mayonnaise and yellow mustard. I include an equal amount of all three mixed together. That’s my special sauce. Use what appeals to you, but I also recommend including some form of condiment for another layer of flavor and texture.

I know some folks prefer flavorful and grainy mustards, and there’s a plethora of hot sauces plus relishes and more. Like I said earlier I tend to stick to traditional flavorings, but include the condiments that make you happy. Just make sure to add a wet component, which with a grilled bun prevents the bread from becoming soggy. Remember cooking is all about chemistry.

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Closing Thoughts about the Best, most Flavorful Burger Ever

I hope this post made you hungry. lol. If you’re not a meat eater you can adjust many of the techniques here for a turkey or veggie burger, or whatever you desire. One of the most uniquely delicious burgers I ever had was actually a portabella mushroom burger I had at an outdoor faire in Monterey, CA when we first moved out here. It was paired with a flavored aioli and charred bun. Many of the same concepts shared here but in a very different product.

Cooking Pro Tip: The best and the fresher your ingredients are, the better the end result of any dish.

Please note the cooking instructions here of 2 minutes per side for a 1/4 lb. burger yields a medium |medium rare doneness meat patty. Adjust the cooking time according to the wellness you desire. If you want to follow this recipe exactly, you will not be disappointed, but if you need or wish to adjust it by all means please do so for your enjoyment.

Shopping for the Best, most Flavorful Burger Ever

Best, Most Flavorful Burger Ever!

A classic burger recipe bursting with flavor.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 20

Serving Size 4 Servings