Best Burger Seasoning Recipe
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 28, 2025 
This is seriously the best burger seasoning recipe, packed with vibrant spices for the most flavorful and delicious hamburgers. Plus we’re sharing tips for how to cook seasoned burgers and load them with the best toppings!
Say Buh-Bye to Boring Burgers!
I mean, really, could you imagine me having flavorless hamburgers in this house? I think definitely not.
We have a fabulous and extremely popular “best hamburger patty” recipe here on the site that incorporates bold, savory spices right into the patty. Here is an incredible burger seasoning recipe that you can keep in your pantry for when you’re working with pre-made patties!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Whether it’s summer grilling seasoning or you’re making juicy hamburgers on the stovetop, this seasoning will perk up the meal with some extra flavor that complements, without overwhelming, that beef flavor you crave!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Burger Seasoning Recipe
- Just Mix and Done – Stir together a handful of pantry staples in less than 5 minutes. Ta-da!
- Big Kick of Flavor – You’ve got paprika, pepper, ground mustard, and other vibrant spices to make your hamburgers sing!
- Super Versatile – Sprinkle the seasoning on pre-made frozen and thawed hamburger patties, chicken patties, or turkey burgers. But that’s not all… You can also use it on steak, pork chops, and chicken as well!
We’re sharing everything you need to know about how to make the perfect homemade burger seasoning and cook them to juicy perfection on the stovetop. Then load them up with any of the best toppings for hamburgers – you know we’ve got some fabulous suggestions!
Ingredients and Variations
All you need is simple kitchen staple spices – smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, ground black pepper, garlic powder, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper.
As-is, this blend is great for making classic American cheeseburgers. But you can use this seasoning recipe as a base to make all kinds of burger variations! Like:
- Spicy Cowboy – Add an equal amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder.
- Zesty Italian – Swap cayenne pepper with an Italian seasoning blend.
- Mediterranean – Swap cayenne pepper with Greek seasoning.
- Salsa Verde – Add an equal amount of cumin and cayenne, or omit the cayenne for a milder blend.
Tips for How to Make the Best Seasoned Burgers
- Make sure the ground beef patties aren’t too thick. They should be about 1-inch thick before cooking. If you prefer thin patties, you might as well make seasoned smash burgers!
- Be generous with the seasoning. This blend makes 8 burgers, so feel free to use it all as needed.
- If cooking on the stovetop, be sure to get the pan hot before adding the meat to get a nice crusty sear on the outside. This also helps to keep the meat super juicy.
- This recipe works best with homemade fresh patties or previously frozen and thawed burgers.
- If you want a temperature of medium-rare or medium, cook the patties for 2-4 minutes on each side. Cook them for 4-5 minutes for medium-well.
Find the full Best Burger Seasoning recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Best Burger Toppings
- Cheese – Make classic cheeseburgers with slices of sharp cheddar, spicy pepper jack, Monterey jack or mild colby cheese. Or gold bold with crumbled blue cheese!
- Greens – Use your choice of crisp romaine, iceberg lettuce, arugula, or other leafy greens you like. Just be sure to put them on the very bottom of the burger! It keeps the lettuce from wilting.
- Veggies – Add slices of red or white onion, ripe tomato, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh avocado for a layer of freshness.
- Sauces and Spreads – Slather on ketchup, stone ground or yellow mustard, mayonnaise, bbq sauce, Big Mac Sauce, or garlic aioli to add some creaminess.
- Other Condiments – Finish loading your hamburger with a tangy pickle relish, bread and butter pickles, pickled red onions, or spicy pickled jalapeños.
- Extra Goodies – Ok, want even more on there? Go big and add fried onions or even a whole onion ring, spoon on some chili con carne, or layer some crispy bacon onto your seasoned burger.
What to Serve with Seasoned Burgers
Nothing beats that Americana combo of burgers and fries! You’ll love our thin-cut shoestring french fries, zesty cajun and harissa fries. Or try something new and fun like these air fryer turnip fries.
Go all out and serve creamy milkshakes, too! Our peppermint shamrock shake is a perfect McDonald’s copycat recipe. And we’ve got other great fruity shakes as well, like this Chick-Fil-A peach milkshake and fresh pineapple shake.
Or for something TRULY unique and delicious, you have got to try this extra dirty pickle martini! Yes, you read that right.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Keep the homemade burger seasoning in an airtight container and store in the pantry for up to a year.
- Freezing – You actually can freeze homemade seasoning blends! They’ll keep well for up to a year in an airtight container in the freezer. But note that intensity of the flavors will start to fade after the first few months. Also, it’s important to keep moisture out so the spices don’t cake when you thaw them on the counter for 30 minutes or so.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you should season only fresh or previously frozen and thawed burger patties. The spices won’t fully stick to a frozen patty, plus it’s hard to cook them evenly.
Either works well! I usually prefer on the stovetop so all of the fat (AKA flavor) stays in the burger, and you’re guaranteed to get a nice even crust.
Yes, you can! Use this burger seasoning on the mini burgers in this Big Mac Salad recipe (with Special Sauce, of course!).
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Best Burger Seasoning Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Set out a small bowl. Measure and combine the smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, ground black pepper, garlic powder, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Sprinkle generously on both sides of beef hamburger patties before cooking.
Notes
- Place in an airtight container and store in the pantry for up to a year.
So much better than store-bought! The flavor is bold without overpowering the burger. This is my new go-to blend.
Simple, quick, and insanely flavorful. My family asked what I did differently, huge hit at our BBQ!