This hamburger recipe is simple perfection with only 4 ingredients-no fillers needed. Homemade hamburger patties don’t need much, just seasoning and a hot grill or skillet.

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Flavor: They’re juicy and tasty, with no fillers.
Skill level: These hamburger patties are so easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time.
Toppings: These are tasty basic burgers and can be topped with your favorites like tomato, lettuce, pickles, onion, bacon, or sauteed mushrooms.
Budget tip: Turn leftovers into a whole new meal! Add them to hamburger soup, chili, or spaghetti sauce.
Freezing: These hamburger patties are easy to freeze, check the recipe notes.

Choosing Beef For Homemade Hamburger Patties

Ground Beef: A really great hamburger starts with the right meat. I prefer an 80/20 blend of ground beef (aka lean ground beef). It has enough fat to keep the hamburger patties moist without being greasy or causing flare-ups. Regular ground beef has too much fat that will drip out into the grill, and extra-lean beef can dry out.
Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce helps the beef brown and adds a nice savory flavor. The seasonings are simple. Salt in this burger recipe can be replaced with a DIY burger seasoning.
Cheese (optional): Cheddar cheese is one of the best cheeses to top a burger, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack.

seasoning ground beef patties to make Classic Hamburger Recipe

How to Cook Hamburgers

I save breadcrumbs for meatloaf and let the flavor in this recipe come from the beef instead!

Mix beef, grated onion, & Worcestershire sauce. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Form patties & indent the center of each one with your thumb to prevents the patties from swelling up in the center as they cook . Chill according to the recipe below.

GRILL: Cook burgers on medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
STOVETOP: Use a heavy-duty skillet or cast-iron skillet. Cook the burgers over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
AIR FRYER: Place prepared patties in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook for 6 minutes, flip, & cook another 3-5 minutes.

The key to perfect hamburgers, regardless of the cooking method, is to use a meat thermometer. Burgers should reach 160°F or just a few degrees less since they’ll continue to cook once they’re removed from the heat. And always let the burgers rest a few minutes before serving.

Use 80/20 lean ground beef, so you have a little fat for great flavor.
Combine the meat mixture just until mixed; overmixing will make the burger tough.
Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to add a dent to the center of each patty. This will keep it from bulging in the center.
Hamburger patties will shrink and become a bit thicker as they cook, so make them a bit wider than your bun.
Once your burger is done, place a cheese slice on top of each patty and let it rest until melted for the perfect cheeseburger.

Sides to Savor

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

5 from 79 votes

Author Holly Nilsson

Classic Hamburger Recipe

Author Holly Nilsson

Servings 4 servings

Savor the simplicity of this classic hamburger recipe made with only 4 ingredients, whether grilled or cooked on the stovetop.

Save Rate Print

Servings 4 servings

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 20

Total Time 50

Equipment

Large Bowl

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound ground beef 80/20 or lean ground beef
▢ 1 tablespoon grated onion
▢ 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
▢ salt and black pepper or burger seasoning
▢ 4 hamburger buns

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine beef, onion, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix just until combined.
Gently shape into 4 patties, about ¾-inch thick. Using your thumb, create an indent, about ½-inch wide, in the center of each burger.
Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cooking.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Season the outside of the burgers with salt & pepper or burger seasoning.
Cook burgers about 4-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160°F.
Rest for 5 minutes. Serve on toasted rolls or buns.

Notes

Use the large side of a box grater, to grate the onion.

To Freeze: Hamburgers can be frozen (raw or cooked and cooled) with parchment paper between each patty for up to a month.

To Cook on the Stove Top

Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
Season the outside of the burgers with salt & pepper to taste.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the beef patties and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160°F.
Rest for 5 minutes. Serve on toasted rolls or buns.

Air Fryer
Arrange the prepared patties in a single layer within the air fryer. Cook them for 6 minutes on one side, flip them, and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Store raw burgers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store cooked burgers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

5 from 79 votes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

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