My burger seasoning recipe is seriously sooo good, you've gotta try it at your next cookout! I've made this hamburger seasoning blend all summer long for many years. Mix it into ground beef before making patties or sprinkle over pre-made patties from the store.

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Watermelon slices, pickle pasta salad, grilled zucchini and perfectly seasoned burgers. This is the epitome of a summer cookout.
When I think of these foods, I can see the sun shining and practically hear kids shrieking as they run through sprinklers.
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Why You'll Love It
Simple: This simple and quick seasoning blend is made with just 5 of my favorite, pantry-staple spices.
Quick: Whip up a batch in just a few minutes. You can even make it in bulk and have seasoning for hamburgers on hand all summer.
Versatile: This seasoning is great on burgers, fries, veggies, grilled corn on the cob, grilled potatoes and more.
Smoky: Rich, smoky flavor. It's heavenly!
What You'll Need
- Smoked paprika: Make sure you buy SMOKED paprika. This is absolutely essential because that rich, smoky flavor is incredible on burgers.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder is a staple in our house. It's so good for savory recipes.
- Onion powder: For a subtle sweetness and umami flavor!
- Salt: Regular ol' table salt works great.
- Pepper: I recommend fresh cracked pepper, but pre-ground will do the trick.
- *Optional*: For extra juicy burgers, try mixing a tablespoon of mayonnaise & Worcestershire sauce into your ground beef along with seasonings. Sometimes I do this if I'm making homemade patties.

How To Make Seasoning For Hamburgers
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Measure & Mix:
- Gather all of your seasonings and measure them into a small bowl.
- Take a small whisk or spoon and mix spices together until well blended.

Sprinkle & Grill:
- Mix your seasonings into ground beef before forming patties or simply sprinkle the seasonings evenly over patties after they're made. You can even do half and half (half mixed in, half sprinkled on top).
- Grill burgers, then serve on toasted buns with all of your favorite toppings like ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes.

Stacey's Top Burger Tips 🍔
Smoked paprika: The star of the show. It's critical that you use smoked paprika (not regular paprika).
Extra juicy: For extra juicy burgers, try mixing a tablespoon of mayonnaise & Worcestershire sauce into your ground beef along with seasonings.
Fattier beef: I don't like buying extra lean beef for my burgers. Beef with a higher fat percentage is more flavorful. I always use 80/20%.
3 Curated Cookout Spreads
Option one: burgers, ditalini pasta salad & tater tots.
Option two: guacamole burgers, baked beans & air fryer sweet potato cubes.
Option three: hamburgers, watermelon slices & pickle pasta salad

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
I really enjoy making this seasoning in bulk so that it's ready all summer long. Simply mix up a big batch and store in a lidded jar in a cool area. I just keep mine in our spice cabinet and it stays fresh all season long. Try to use it within 6 months for best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smoked paprika is my favorite seasoning for burgers. I mix it together with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
There are two ways to season hamburgers. One: mix seasonings into ground beef before forming patties. Two: sprinkle spice blend over patties after they've already been made. Secret option three: mix half of your seasonings into the beef and sprinkle the other portion over top.
Yes! Smoked paprika is so important for this recipe. It's the star of the show. Swing by the store and grab a bottle, you won't regret it. I also use smoked paprika in my Sheet Pan Sausage & Gnocchi recipe.
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Burger Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
- 1 small bowl & whisk *or a small spoon
Ingredients
- 1 & ½ teaspoons smoked paprika *see notes below
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper *fresh cracked if possible
Optional (for extra juicy burgers)
- 1 tablespoon mayo & 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. *see notes below
Recipe notes:
Smoked paprika: Don't use regular paprika in this recipe. Make sure you're using smoked paprika. It's the star of the show and super flavorful. Variations: Add a little cayenne pepper to your seasonings if you like spicy food! For a sweeter burger, add a teaspoon of brown sugar. Optional: For extra juicy burgers, try mixing a tablespoon of mayonnaise & Worcestershire sauce into your ground beef before making patties. Scaling up: Want to make a bulk batch of seasoning to have on hand throughout the summer? Use these measurements: 6 tablespoons smoked paprika, 4 tablespoons garlic powder, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper. Store in a lidded jar in a cool area and use all season long.Instructions
- Add seasonings to a bowl and whisk well until combined.1 & ½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Mix seasonings into ground beef before making patties or sprinkle it over pre-made patties, then grill!
- This recipe makes enough for 1 pound of ground beef or four, 4oz burgers. Use approximately ¾ teaspoon per burger.
Nutrition
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