The Best Grilled Burger Recipe

Perfectly grilled burgers are juicy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make with a few simple techniques. This easy grilled burger recipe shares five game-changing hacks for making the best hamburgers on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or pellet grill every time. Whether you’re grilling fresh ground beef for a backyard BBQ, summer cookout, holiday gathering, or an easy weeknight dinner, these tips will help you season, shape, and cook burgers with a perfectly browned crust and a tender, juicy center.

Originally posted June 2018, updated July 2026

Grilled Burgers Recipe

Out of all my burger recipes, this one is hands-down our favorite way to make best grilled hamburgers at home. Whether you’re using a gas grill, charcoal grill, a Blackstone, or even an iron grill pan, these tips will help you avoid a dry burger and get that perfect bite every single time.

If you’ve ever wondered about the right internal temperature, cooking over medium-high heat, or how long to cook the first side, I’ve got you covered.

Why You’ll Love This Best Burger Recipe

This really is the best burger recipe because:

• It uses simple ingredients like quality ground beef burgers and pantry staples
• You get a golden brown crust with a nice sear every time
• The burgers stay moist with even juicier meat
• It works for thick patties or thin patties
• It’s flexible for different ground meats like a turkey burger or chicken burger

Hacks for the Best Grilled Burgers

• Add sour cream for even juicier meat – This is the secret to super juicy burgers. It adds moisture and keeps the burger from turning into a tough burger.
• Make a slight indent in the center – Press a slight indent into the center of each patty (or center of each burger patty) before grilling. This keeps your hamburger patties from puffing up and helps them cook evenly.
• Let raw patties rest – Take your raw patties out of the fridge and let them sit for 20–30 minutes. This helps them cook evenly over direct heat.
• Use the best way to grill: flip once – Cook the first side for about 4-5 minutes, then flip once. Avoid pressing – this just squeezes out the only juices that keep your burgers tender.

Ingredients

• Ground beef (I recommend ground chuck for the best fat content)
• Dry onion soup mix
• Sour cream
• Water
• Garlic salt (or swap for garlic powder + black pepper)

Optional additions:

• Worcestershire sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Sliced raw onion
• Fresh pickles

Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Outdoor grill (Blackstone, gas grill or charcoal grill)
• Tongs or spatula
• Spoon (for indenting)
• Meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer
• Optional: iron skillet or iron grill pan

How to Make the Best Grilled Hamburgers

1. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion soup mix, sour cream, water, and seasoning until just combined. Don’t overmix or you’ll end up with a tough burger.
2. Form into thick patties or thin patties, depending on your preference. Press a slight indent into the center of each patty.
3. Let patties rest at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes.

4. Preheat your grill to medium heat to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates with a little oil or neutral oil to prevent sticking.
5. Place burgers over direct heat (or over hot coals if using charcoal).
6. Cook the first side for 4-5 minutes, until a nice sear forms.
7. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes for a total of 6-8 minutes, depending on thickness.
8. Add cheese during the last minute of cooking so the cheese melts perfectly.

9. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness:
   • 140-145 degrees F for a medium burger (medium doneness)
10. Remove and rest briefly before serving.

Burger Recipe Tips for Best Results

• Choose the right kind of beef – higher fat content means better flavor
• Don’t use too much salt before grilling
• Avoid pressing burgers – it much pushes out juices
• Give burgers enough time to develop a golden brown crust
• Clean and oil your grill grates for the best results
• Let burgers rest so juices redistribute for the best results

Handy Chart of Grill Times

Here’s a quick time chart (or temp chart) for reference:

• Rare: 125°F
• Medium: 140-145 degrees F
• Well done: 160°F+

Use a meat thermometer for accuracy—this is the best way to avoid overcooking.

Favorite Toppings

Build your best hamburgers with:

• American cheese
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Fresh pickles
• Raw onion(see how to slice onions here) or Tennessee Onions
• Bacon or even bacon jam
• Ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce

What to Serve with Burgers

Pair your burgers with:

• Chips or fries
• Baked beans
• Coleslaw
• Pasta salad

Storage Tips

Store leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked or uncooked patties in freezer bags separated with plastic wrap.

Variations

• Swap beef for a turkey burger or chicken burger for a lighter option
• Try a smash burger recipe for crispier edges and a crispier patty
• Use an air fryer or iron skillet if you don’t have an outdoor grill
• Experiment with a lamb burger recipe for something different

FAQs

What is the best internal temperature for burgers?

For a medium burger, aim for 140-145 degrees F using an instant-read thermometer.

How do you avoid a dry burger?

Use quality ground beef, don’t overcook, and avoid pressing the patties so you keep those only juices inside.

What’s the best way to get a nice sear?

Cook over direct heat on hot grill grates or hot coals and don’t flip too early.

If you try this best burger recipe, I’d love to hear about it! It’s one of those recipes that gets positive reviews every single time—and once you make it, it’ll probably become your favorite way to cook burgers too.