Today, I’m sharing a generations-old family recipe with everything you crave in a burger—juicy, flavorful meat, perfectly melted cheese, crisp vegetables, and a touch of sauce, all nestled in a soft, toasted bun. Whether cooking indoors or firing up the grill, this ultimate hamburger recipe promises to be a hit with your family and friends.
Why I Love these Ultimate Hamburgers
- They’re burgers! Need I say more?
- Ground beef and ground pork come together to form a burger that’s not just juicy but also bursting with layers of flavor.
- The beauty of these burgers lies in their versatility. Our son prefers a simple “hamburger”—just a bun and meat. On the other hand, there are the aficionados who crave a loaded burger. This recipe caters to both of those desires and every preference in between.
- They can be cooked indoors on the stovetop and outdoors on the grill.
- Did I say they’re burgers?
Ingredients to Make an Ultimate Hamburger
The first step to preparing this, or any recipe, is to read and understand the recipe, collect all the equipment you’ll need and to gather and measure all of the ingredients required to make this Ultimate Hamburger recipe. In culinary terms, we call this “Mise en Place,” which means “Everything in its Place.” Prereading the recipe, preparing ingredients, and setting up any needed equipment in advance not only speeds up cooking but also ensures you are familiar with all of the recipe steps, and that all the necessary components of the recipe are within reach and ready for the dish.
Key Ingredients
- Ground Beef – For the juiciest, most flavorful ultimate hamburger, the secret lies in the fat content. Opt for ground beef labeled as 80/20, or choose ground chuck. These options provide the ideal balance of fat to lean meat, ensuring your burgers are moist and packed with delicious flavor.
- Ground Pork – Choose regular ground pork with a 70/30 blend. Unlike lean at 83/17, the higher fat content in regular ground pork ensures your burgers are exceptionally juicy and filled with flavor.
- Unsalted Saltine Crackers – Incorporating cracker crumbs into the recipe serves two key purposes: they help retain moisture during cooling, keeping the burgers juicy, and contribute to a tender texture. It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance your burger experience with every bite. You can substitute bread crumbs of any type.
- Eggs – Adding eggs helps bind the ingredients together, ensuring the patties hold their shape during cooking. They also add moisture and contribute to a smoother texture, enhancing the overall juiciness and consistency of the burger.
- Ketchup
- Garlic Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Pepper
How to Make the Ultimate Hamburger
Today, we’re crafting cheeseburgers. As mentioned earlier, what makes this hamburger recipe truly exceptional is its versatility—it serves as a canvas for a myriad of toppings that cater to your personal tastes. For some suggestions, you can explore some of my recommended flavor combinations listed below.
Prepping the Meat
- Bring the meat to room temperature. One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make when cooking hamburgers is they place cool or cold hamburger onto the heat making it difficult to achieve a char while maintaining a juicy interior.
- Mix the ingredients. Add the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, crushed crackers, garlic powder, salt and pepper into a LARGE mixing bowl. Mix to combine all the ingredients using caution not to overmix the mixture. Adding salt to ground meat triggers the release of myosin, a protein that, when overactivated through excessive mixing, can lead to a tough and dense burger. Avoid this by gently combining the meat and seasonings in a spacious bowl, ensuring each patty is formed with care for the juiciest and most flavorful results.
Making the Patties
- Weigh out the patties. When forming patties, I find it best to use a scale and measure out 6 ounces of the hamburger mixture.
- Form into patties. Using your hands or a burger press, shape the meat into evenly sized patties. I prefer using a burger press for consistent results, ensuring each patty is perfectly shaped and cooks evenly.
Cooking and Assembling the Burgers
- Cooking the patties on the stovetop. To cook the ultimate hamburgers, heat a pan over medium-high high heat. Place the patties in the ungreased pan and cook until well caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes. Flip the patties and continue cooking until done, about another 2-3 minutes. This method ensures a juicy, flavorful burger with a perfectly seared exterior.
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- Cooking the patties on a grill. Place the hamburger patties over direct heat. Use caution as the high fat content of the burger will cause the fire to flare. Cook until a char begins to form, approximately 2-3 minutes depending upon height of the flames, flip the patties and continue cooking until done, approximately another 2 minutes.
- Assemble the hamburgers. Toast the bun, then place a healthy dollop of the sauce onto each half. Lay the burger on the bottom half of the bun, followed by a slice of American cheese, then Monterey Jack cheese. Now it’s time to layer on your favorite condiments. A slice of tomato and some lettuce, capped with the top half of the bun!
- Serve immediately.
Alternate Serving Suggestions
- Try different cheese such as Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, or Pepper-Jack
- Add Blue-cheese and grilled onions
- Add Fried Jalapenos with Pepper-Jack Cheese, and replace the lettuce with Cole Slaw
- Add Bacon and Avocado with Swiss Cheese.
- Add pastrami.
- Remove the lettuce and add a fried egg.
Storing leftover Hamburgers
- You can store leftover hamburgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- You can freeze leftover hamburgers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating – if frozen, thaw before reheating. Use a microwave, air fryer, or regular oven to reheat.
Ultimate Hamburger
This is a time-honored family recipe that has everything you desire in a burger—juicy meat, melted cheese, crisp veggies, and a touch of sauce, embraced by a tender, toasted bun. Whether you’re cooking indoors or firing up the grill, this recipe promises to elevate your burger-making skills.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 (6-ounce) hamburgers 1x
- Category: Entree, Beef
- Method: Stovetop or Grill
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Franks Red-Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon capers, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mild paprika
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Hamburger Mixture:
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef or ground chuck
- 1/2 pound regular ground pork
- 2 ounces Unsalted Saltine Crackers (approximately half a tube)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Hamburger Assembly:
- 6 of your favorite buns or rolls
- 6 American cheese slices
- 6 Monterey Jack cheese slices
- Lettuce
- Fresh Sliced Tomato
Instructions
To Make the Sauce:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
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Cover and chill for at least an hour for the flavors to meld.
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Refrigerate any unused sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Stir prior to use.
To Make the Burger Patties:
- Allow the meat to come to room temperature before making and cooking the hamburgers.
- Add the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, crushed crackers, garlic powder, salt and pepper into a LARGE mixing bowl. Mix to combine all of the ingredients.
- Using 4-6 ounces for each patty, form into patties using your hands or a hamburger press. Set aside until all the patties are formed.
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the ungreased pan and cook until well caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes. Flip the patties and continue cooking until done, about 2-3 more minutes.
Assemble the Hamburgers (see note #1):
- Toast the buns. Place a dollop of sauce onto each half.
- Using the condiments of your choice, build each hamburger to your preference.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
#1 – Assembling your perfect hamburger is all about personalization. Whether you prefer classic ketchup and mustard, or adventurous toppings like caramelized onions, avocado slices, or a special homemade sauce, each addition enhances the burger’s flavor profile. Don’t forget to consider textures and complementary flavors as you build your burger masterpiece. Enjoy the creative process of making each bite uniquely yours.
