Easy Burger Seasoning Blend

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Tested by
Colleen Graham Reviewed on 03/13/20 by
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
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Colleen Graham
Updated 10/02/20
Easy burger seasoning blend and a hamburger patty

The Spruce
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 4 1/2 servings
Yields: 3 tablespoons
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
4 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 1/2
Amount per serving
Calories 4
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 0g
Calcium 2mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A juicy burger is always a welcome dish, but one that is seasoned properly is even better. This basic burger seasoning is made with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Feel free to add a little minced dried onion for added flavor and a bit of texture if you like. Mix it into the meat or sprinkle it over the patties as they cook. Either way, your burgers are sure to be more flavorful.

This spice blend is great for grilled, broiled, or pan-fried burgers, as well as ​juicy baked burgers. It will also add great flavor to your favorite meatloaf or meatball mixture and works well on other meats like chicken and pork. The recipe makes enough for more than a few meals, and you'll find plenty of other uses for it when the jar is in your spice cupboard.

0:44

Click Play to See This Easy Burger Seasoning Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • Optional: 2 teaspoons dried minced onion

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for making the burger seasoning
    The Spruce

  2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and blend well.

    Combining the spices to make the seasoning blend
    The Spruce

  3. Mix 2 teaspoons of spice blend into each pound of ground beef or sprinkle over the burgers as you cook them.

    Applying burger seasoning onto a raw burger patty
     The Spruce

Tips

  • When freshly grinding the pepper, grind it into a small dish, then measure it using a teaspoon. It will require more grinds than you may expect and will be neater when done this way.
  • It's important to avoid overmixing ground beef when making burgers. Work the spice into the meat as efficiently as possible.
  • Store any extra seasoning blend in a closed container and keep in a cool, dark place.

When Should Burgers Be Seasoned?

Baked and broiled burgers are easier when the spice is mixed into the meat. If you prefer to sprinkle it on later or are cooking prepared patties, add the seasoning as you grill or pan-fry. Season one side of the burgers and put that side down on the grill or pan, then season the other side before it's time to flip. Use only as much as will stick to the patty's surface. Any excess will simply fall off when the burger is flipped anyway.

Recipe Variation

  • Only a small amount of cayenne pepper is called for in the seasoning, but feel free to leave it out if you're not a fan of spice.
  • Switch to smoked paprika for a little extra smoke flavor that's perfect for grilled burgers.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar for a slightly sweeter seasoning mix.

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