This Burger Seasoning Recipe is a quick homemade spice blend for grilled burgers, smash burgers, skillet burgers, and burger bowls. It has a simple, classic flavor with brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and mustard powder.
This recipe makes enough seasoning for 2 pounds of ground beef, or about 6-8 burger patties, depending on size.
🔍 At a Glance
- ⏱️ Ready in: 5 minutes (5 min. prep)
- 👥 Serves: Seasons 2 pounds of ground beef
- 📌 Main Ingredients: Brown sugar & kosher salt
- 😋 Flavor Profile: Smoky, savory, lightly sweet, and garlicky
- 📝 Great For: Grilled burgers, smash burgers, skillet burgers, turkey burgers, burger bowls, meatballs, or meatloaf
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced flavor: Salt, garlic, onion, mustard powder, and smoked paprika create a savory blend that enhances ground beef without overpowering it.
- Better browning: A little brown sugar helps burgers caramelize and develop a flavorful crust.
- Pantry-friendly: The blend uses simple dry spices, so it is easy to make ahead and keep on hand for quick dinners.
Ingredients & Why They Matter
- Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with browning. Light or dark brown sugar both work.
- Morton Kosher Salt: Seasons the blend. This recipe is written specifically for Morton kosher salt, which measures differently than Diamond Crystal kosher salt or table salt. For a similar salt level, use 3 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt.
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and sharpness. Freshly cracked pepper gives the best flavor.
- Granulated Garlic: Adds savory garlic flavor and blends evenly into the seasoning.
- Onion Powder: Gives the blend classic burger flavor and a little natural sweetness.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky flavor, color, and depth. Regular paprika can be used, but the seasoning will taste less smoky.
- Mustard Powder: Adds subtle tang and savory depth that pairs especially well with beef.
Find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Hamburger Seasoning Step by Step
- Combine the seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon mustard powder until evenly combined. Break up any clumps of brown sugar with the back of a spoon.
- Use or store: Use the full batch to season 2 pounds of ground beef, or use half for 1 pound. If not using right away, transfer the dry seasoning to an airtight jar and store in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.
Pro Tips for Perfect Burger Seasoning
- Use Morton kosher salt: This recipe is written for Morton kosher salt. Other salts vary by volume, so swapping can make the seasoning too salty or not salty enough.
- Make a big batch before summer: Double, triple, or quadruple the seasoning before grilling season so it is ready for quick burgers, cookouts, and weeknight dinners. Store it in an airtight jar in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.
- Break up the brown sugar: Brown sugar can clump in a dry seasoning blend. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to break it up before storing or mixing.
- Use fresh spices: Smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, and mustard powder lose flavor over time. For best results, use spices that smell strong and fresh.
- Store it airtight: Keep the seasoning in a sealed jar in a cool, dry pantry so the sugar does not harden and the spices stay flavorful.
Common Mistakes
- Not using enough seasoning: This full seasoning blend is written for 2 pounds of ground beef. Use the full batch for 2 pounds, or half of the batch for 1 pound. Measuring the seasoning and using the right seasoning-to-beef ratio keeps the burgers from tasting bland.
- Using too much ground beef: If you stretch this blend over more than 2 pounds of ground beef, the flavor will be too mild. Scale the seasoning up if you are making a larger batch.
Ways to Use Burger Seasoning
Use this seasoning anywhere you want smoky, savory burger-style flavor.
- Grilled Burgers: Mix the seasoning into the ground beef before shaping, or sprinkle it on the outside of the patties right before grilling.
- Smash Burgers: Sprinkle the seasoning on the outside of the patties right before or during cooking.
- Turkey Burgers: Use the same amount for 2 pounds of ground turkey.
- Burger Bowls: Season cooked ground beef, turkey, or chicken before serving over rice, lettuce, or roasted potatoes.
- Meatballs or Meatloaf: Use this blend anywhere you want classic burger flavor without measuring several spices separately.
- Steak: Sprinkle lightly over steak before grilling or pan-searing for a smoky, savory crust. Use less than you would for ground beef, since steak is seasoned on the surface instead of mixed throughout.
Swap It Up: Variations to Try
- Spicy Burger Seasoning: Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- BBQ Burger Seasoning: Add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and an extra 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Herby Burger Seasoning: Add 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
- No Sugar Burger Seasoning: Omit the brown sugar for a more savory blend. The seasoning will still taste great, but it may not brown quite as deeply.
More Recipes for Burger Night
- Side Dishes to Serve with Burgers: Round out burger night with easy sides like fries, salads, vegetables, and cookout-style favorites.
- Burger Topping Ideas: Build better burgers with classic and creative topping combinations, from cheese and pickles to sauces, onions, and more.
Burger Seasoning
This easy Burger Seasoning Recipe is made with brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and mustard powder for smoky, savory burgers.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Combine the seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, Morton kosher salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, and mustard powder until evenly combined. Break up any clumps of brown sugar with the back of a spoon.1 Tablespoon brown sugar2 teaspoons Morton kosher saltFreshly cracked black pepper1 teaspoon granulated garlic1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon smoked paprika1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Use or store: Use the full batch to season 2 pounds of ground beef, or use half for 1 pound. If not using right away, transfer the dry seasoning to an airtight jar and store in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Notes
- Morton Kosher Salt: This recipe uses 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt. For a similar salt level, use 3 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar can be used. Dark brown sugar adds a slightly deeper molasses flavor.
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Add to taste, depending on how peppery you like your burgers.
- Break up any brown sugar clumps before storing so the seasoning mixes evenly.
- Use the full batch for 2 pounds of ground beef, or half of the batch for 1 pound.
Recipe FAQs
How much burger seasoning do I use per pound of ground beef?
Use half of this recipe for 1 pound of ground beef or the full batch for 2 pounds of ground beef. The full recipe uses 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon mustard powder.
Do you mix burger seasoning into the meat or put it on the outside?
For thick burger patties, gently mix the seasoning into the beef so every bite is flavorful. For smash burgers, seasoning the outside works well because the patties are thin and develop more crust against the hot pan.
Can I make this burger seasoning ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the dry ingredients together and store them in an airtight jar in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months. Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe before summer so it is ready for grilling season.
Did you make this recipe?
If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback.
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