How To Season Hamburgers For The Grill [9 Seasonings To Try Out]

Nothing quite says summertime like cooking hamburgers on the grill. If you're preparing burgers made from ground beef, you're probably curious about some ways to add seasoning to your hamburgers before grilling. We've researched for you and have found some fantastic ideas and tips for making the perfect burger.

Some fool-proof seasonings for burgers include:

• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Minced onion
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Shredded cheeses
• Dry onion soup mix
• Ranch seasoning packets

Next, we'll look at how to add these seasonings to your hamburgers, some tasty recipes, and helpful tricks to keep your burgers moist and delicious on the grill. Keep reading to find out more!

How To Add Seasoning To Hamburgers

Before adding any seasoning, make sure that you pick the correct type of beef. The best beef to use is ground chuck because it has a higher fat content, meaning your burgers will be ultra juicy. Once you add your seasonings of choice, make sure not to overwork the meat mixture.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce contains molasses, vinegar, and anchovies. It gives your burgers a savory, tangy flavor that's hard to beat. Mix about two tablespoons of seasoning per pound of hamburger meat and grill until done. Click here to see this recipe for Worcestershire burgers with swiss, mushrooms, and ranch dressing.

Garlic

Garlic adds a deliciously distinct flavor to burgers. Use freshly chopped garlic or garlic powder and mix with hamburger meat, salt, and pepper for an easy burger recipe.

Salt and Pepper

Sometimes all you need is the basics! Sprinkle salt and pepper on each side of your patties before grilling to give your burgers a mild flavor.

Minced Onion

Use freshly chopped onions or dried minced onions and mix them into your hamburger meat before grilling. The cooked onions inside the burgers will have a milder taste than raw onions and give them a nice texture.

Paprika

Paprika lends a sweet, red bell pepper taste to hamburgers. This spice is excellent when paired with garlic powder, brown sugar, and more in this homemade burger seasoning recipe.

Cayenne Pepper

If you want to give your burgers a spicy kick, try adding cayenne pepper. Mix some up with your meat mixture or sprinkle the patties while they're cooking on the grill.

Shredded Cheeses

Instead of adding cheese on top of your burger, try mixing a blend of savory cheeses into your patty mixture. Cheddar, mozzarella, swiss, and Colby jack are all great choices. You can also make a cheese-stuffed burger with larger chunks of cheese, known as a Juicy Lucy.

Dry Onion Soup Mix

Adding a packet of dry onion soup mix to hamburger meat makes for a phenomenal tasting burger. All you need is water, beef, and soup mix to create this easy recipe.

Ranch Seasoning Packets

Dry ranch seasoning added to hamburger meat creates a zesty-tasting recipe. Ranch burgers are super easy to make and takes about 10 minutes to grill.

Click here to see this ranch seasoning mix on Amazon. 

What Do You Add To Hamburger Before Grilling?

Besides the seasonings that we've already discussed, there are other ingredients that you can add to hamburger before grilling to improve the taste and texture. These include:

Eggs

Adding an egg to your meat will keep your burgers from falling apart on the grill and help the ingredients to bind together.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are an excellent add-in if you're using extra lean beef because they'll keep your burgers moist.

Mayonnaise

Adding a dollop of mayonnaise to your hamburger will keep them moist and juicy on the grill.

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or cilantro give burgers a little something extra.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter may seem like an odd choice for your burger recipe, but a spoonful will add a slightly sweet flavor and keep your burgers moist.

How Long Should Burgers Sit Before Grilling?

You can season and shape your patties up to a day before and keep them in the fridge. If you choose to make your burgers fresh, it's still a good idea to let them sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes; this is because the cold will help the burgers retain their shape on the grill.

When you're ready to cook them, let the mixture sit at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes to knock the chill off. Letting your meat sit at room temperature for a short time ensures that your burgers will cook evenly once they hit the grill.

What To Put On Burgers While Grilling?

Here are some ideas for things to add to your burgers while they're grilling.

Commercial Burger Seasoning

There's plenty of premade burger seasonings on the market that make burgers taste amazing and takes the guesswork out of mixing it yourself.

Click here to see this classic seasoning on Amazon.

Butter or Olive Oil

Brush a light layer of butter on each side of your burger for extra flavor; This will also keep the meat juicy and prevent sticking to the grill.

Sliced Cheese

Right before your burgers are done, add a slice of cheese to the patty until it's melted to perfection.

Seasoning Salt

A sprinkling of seasoning salt is an easy way to add flavor to your burgers while they're cooking on the grill.

How Do You Keep Burgers From Drying Out On The Grill?

Here are several helpful tips to keep your burgers juicy. These are:

Keep The Lid On

Leaving the lid on your grill keeps moisture locked in while cooking. Try to resist the temptation to constantly lift the lid and check on your burgers, as this will dry them out.

Cook At The Right Temperature

Cooking burgers at a medium-high temperature is best on the grill.

Use An Ice Cube

Before adding your patties to the grill, make an indentation in each one with your thumb. Place the ice cube in the indentations while they grill to keep a constant source of moisture in the burgers.

Never Press Your Burgers

You should never use your spatula to press on burgers while they're cooking! Doing so means that all the juices escape, leaving you with a dried-out patty. Instead, it would be best if you only flipped the hamburgers a maximum of three times on the grill.

In Summary

Summer cookouts aren't complete without delicious hamburgers and knowing how to properly season them before grilling means that your burgers will be a hit with everyone. So whether you decide to go all out with gourmet shredded cheeses and herbs or keep it simple with salt and pepper and garlic, there's no way to go wrong with these tips and tricks.

Thanks for reading! For more kitchen know-how, be sure to read:

Should You Butter Hamburger Buns?

Does Microwaving Meat Make It Tough?