Level up your burger game with this easy-to-make Classic Burger Seasoning recipe. Whether you're grilling thick, juicy burgers or griddling crispy smash burgers, this customizable seasoning mix will bring out the best flavor in your patties. Make the seasoning ahead of time and store it in a covered shaker so it's ready to head to the grill when you are!
Before You Start Cooking
Method: Grill, Griddle Skill: Easy
- This small-batch recipe is all about bold, fresh flavor-so make sure your spices haven't been sitting in the cabinet too long. If you make burgers often, feel free to double or triple the recipe. It keeps well for a few months.
- Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, but you'll need Worcestershire powder for an extra depth of flavor. It's worth tracking down online or at a spice shop.
- You can use this seasoning on ground beef, chicken, and turkey burgers for a bold, classic flavor.
How to Make Classic Burger Seasoning
We usually mix our burger seasoning right in the container we're going to use for storage. No extra bowls to clean!
Try using a spice jar, a mason jar, or my personal favorite, a stainless steel dredge shaker {affiliate link}, which makes it easy to season the burgers out at the grill or griddle. (Be sure it has a plastic lid over the shaker top so the mixture doesn't dry out.)
In your container (or a small bowl), mix together:
- Paprika. We use a combination of Sweet Hungarian Paprika and Smoked Paprika, but you can use full quantities of either. We love the lightly smoky flavor that you get from smoked paprika, especially when we're cooking burgers on the griddle.
- Fine Kosher or Sea Salt. Feel free to omit or reduce the salt to make a low-sodium blend. When using kosher salt, we use Diamond Crystal.
- Black Pepper. We like to grind it fresh (medium grind) for the best flavor.
- Granulated Garlic Powder and Onion Powder. Classic flavor enhancers that add depth to your burger seasoning.
- Brown Sugar. Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory spices. Light or dark brown sugar works equally well, depending on what you have on hand. Feel free to skip it for a sugar-free option.
- Worcestershire Powder. This "secret ingredient" adds a savory umami kick to the burger seasoning, without having to work liquid into the ground meat mixture. Look for Worcestershire powder on Amazon {affiliate link} and from spice shops like The Spice Lab or Spice Jungle.
- Cayenne Pepper. Optional, for those who like to add a spicy kick to their burgers.
Tip: You can easily tweak this recipe to taste. Want more garlic? Need to skip the sugar or salt? You're in control-use the base recipe as a jumping-off point for your own signature blend.
Storing Your Seasoning Blend
To maintain freshness, store your seasoning blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet or pantry. For the best flavor, use it within 3 to 6 months.
The brown sugar and Worcestershire powder in the recipe may clump a bit during storage. Before using the seasoning, give it a quick stir with a fork or small whisk to break it up.
How to Use The Seasoning
Whether you're heading to the grill or griddle with your burgers, you'll have a couple of options for how to use your homemade seasoning mix.
Option 1: If you want the flavor of the spices to infuse throughout the entire burger, mix 2-3 teaspoons of the seasoning mix into 1 pound of ground meat before you shape your patties. Distribute the seasoning evenly, but a burger with the best texture, don't overwork the meat mixture.
Option 2: For a flavorful crust on the outside of the burgers, sprinkle the seasoning over the formed patties just before cooking. If you're making Smash Burgers, season the burgers right after you've smashed them on the griddle (before flipping).
Amanda's Top Tip
For the most flavorful burger seasoning, make sure that your spices are fresh! Even if stored in airtight containers, ground spices lose their potency over time. (I'm looking at you, bottle of insert-spice-name-here, that's been hanging out in the pantry for 5 long years!)
You can expect most ground spices to last from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the variety and how fresh they were when you bought them.
I like to buy most of my spices in smaller quantities, replenishing them as I use them up. Speciality stores, such as Savory Spice Shop and Penzeys, are a great resource for the freshest spices, and a fun way to discover new flavors.
It's a good idea to go through your spice cabinet once a year to see what's past its prime. If the herb or spice is no longer as aromatic as it should be when you open the jar, or the flavor is lackluster, it's time to replace it.
More Seasoning Recipes
⏲ Recipe
Classic Burger Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire powder, (see note)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional (see note)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Store seasoning mix in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. (Shelf life will depend on how fresh your individual spices were.)
- When ready to use, sprinkle over burger patties before grilling. Or, gently mix 2-3 teaspoons of seasoning into 1 pound of ground meat before shaping the burgers. If you're making smash burgers, sprinkle the seasoning over the patties on the griddle right after you've smashed them.
Notes
- Worcestershire powder can be purchased online, from specialty spice shops and on Amazon. Head to the Ingredients section in the article above for more info.
- Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick to the burger seasoning. Feel free to increase or decrease the quantity, to taste. We often leave it out entirely for a milder seasoning.
- If the seasoning mix clumps with storage, use a fork or small whisk to stir it before using. It'll easily break up.
Holley says
This seasoning is the BEST! My burgers came out incredible! Everyone LOVED these at my bbq. Thanks for sharing this recipe!