The Best Burger and Secret Sauce

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Get ready for the ultimate burger experience topped with my irresistible Secret Sauce. The flavor packed into this burger is a delicious twist on a classic favorite.

You’ll love this burger recipe because the juicy patties are packed with flavor from the onion and garlic powder, and the Secret Sauce adds a creamy, tangy kick that will leave you craving more. Pair your burgers with crispy fries for a classic combo, or opt for a side salad for a fresh contrast to the savory goodness of the burgers.

A burger ready to eat loaded with sauce and toppings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Unique: This recipe uses my secret sauce to up the flavor. It’s so delicious that you won’t want burgers served any other way.
  2. Easy: This recipe is easy to make, and you will be enjoying it in less than 30 minutes!
  3. Affordable: Using ground beef and pantry staple ingredients, this recipe will not break the bank when you go to the grocery store!

Ingredients to Make Burgers Flavorful 

Sure, you could just grab some meat and grill it up! But if you want to LOVE your burger, you need to season it first!!

  • Ground Beef: I used 80/20 lean ground beef. Higher fat content makes a juicier burger!
  • Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These seasonings add in delicious flavor that goes with just about anything.
  • Salt and Cracked Black Pepper: To season the meat.
  • Buns: I used sesame buns, but use your favorite hamburger buns!
A top view of ingredients in bowls and each individually labeled.

What’s in the Secret Sauce?

This sauce is so delicious, you won’t want to keep it a secret after you try it! Everyone will want to use this sauce!

  • Mayonnaise: Smooth and tangy, it adds creaminess to the sauce.
  • Ketchup: Sweet and tangy, the ketchup brings a vibrant tomato flavor to the mix.
  • Sweet relish: Offering a sweet crunch, it’s made from finely chopped pickled cucumbers and onions and adds a tang to the sauce.
  • Worcestershire sauce: With its savory and tangy notes, it adds depth and richness to the sauce.
  • Seasoned salt: A balanced blend of herbs and spices, it enhances the overall flavor with its seasoning.
The top view of the sauce ingredients all individually labeled.

How to Make the Best Burger Patty

This is definitely a great go-to recipe when you are in charge of hosting the next family BBQ. It’s easy to throw together, especially if you ever need to make plenty to feed everyone! 

Burgers

  1. Prepare the Grill: Heat up your grill to medium-high heat while you prepare the patties.
  2. Combine: Add the ground beef and seasonings to a large bowl and mix to combine.
  3. Shape Patties: Shape the patties to be about 1-inch thick, making an indention in the center of each patty. This creates a flat burger and prevents the middle from mounding as it cooks.
  4. Cook: Place the burgers on the grill. Allow this side of the patty to cook for about 4-6 minutes, but make sure it doesn’t burn. Flip them over and cook to the desired doneness.

Secret Sauce

  1. Combine: Add all of the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust ingredients to your liking.
  2. Toppings: Assemble the burgers and serve with the special sauce and all of your favorite hamburger toppings!
Ground beef with seasonings.
Add the beef and seasonings to a bowl.
Ground beef mixed in a glass bowl.
Mix to combine.
Ground beef shaped into patties.
Shape the patties.
Someone indenting the ground beef with their thumb.
Make an indention in the middle of the burger.
A burger patty on the grill.
Grill the burgers.
Sauce mixed in a glass bowl.
Make the secret sauce.

How Do I Know When a Burger is Done?

The temperature of ground beef is ready to eat when it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this by using a meat thermometer!

2 burgers laid on they side on a plate.

Burger Topping Ideas

This best burger and secret sauce would not be complete without delicious toppings! Here are some ideas on what you can use on a hamburger:

  • Lettuce: I think the best lettuce for burgers is iceberg lettuce or butter lettuce.
  • Tomatoes: Beefsteak tomatoes are the heartiest tomatoes and are perfect for a burger!
  • Cheese: I like to use Sharp cheddar or melted American cheese.
  • Pickles: You can use Dill or bread and butter pickles, depending on which flavor you like.
  • Onions: Try freshly sliced red onions or even some caramelized onions
  • Bacon: It adds in a yummy flavor!
  • Mushrooms: I like to sautée my mushrooms before adding them to a burger.
  • Avocado: You can use avocado slices or whip up some fresh guacamole.
  • Egg: I know it sounds strange, but trust me on this one: there is nothing like a fried egg on a burger!
  • Jalapeños: Add a few jalapeño slices for a spicy kick.
  • Sauce: Want to change up the sauce? Try barbecue sauce or fry sauce!

A close up of a burger on a plate.

Tips for Making a Good Burger

There are so many different ways to cook a burger. This recipe is all about grilling them on your BBQ so you can get that smokey charbroiled taste. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are preparing your burgers for your next meal! 

  • Make sure that you prepare your toppings before cooking the burgers so they are all ready to go as soon as the burgers come off the grill
  • Remember to shape your patties about 1” wider so that the buns will help because once they are on the grill, they will shrink.
  • Do not overwork the meat
  • It helps if you make an indentation in the center of the patty to prevent it from rising and plumping in the middle. 
  • Seasoning the burgers with salt and pepper right before you place them on the grill helps toughen the meat
  • When you place the patties on the grill, let them sear well and brown(takes about 3-5 mins) before you flip them and do not press down on the burger. 

Sides for Your Burger

As far as sides go, there are a variety of things that pair well with a burger. You can choose fries, chips, salad, green or potato, a fruit salad, fresh veggies, and whatever else you love having at your BBQs! 

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Secret Sauce

Burgers

  • Heat up your grill to medium-high heat while you prepare the patties.

  • Add the ground beef and seasonings to a large bowl and mix to combine.

  • Shape the patties to be about 1-inch thick making an indention in the center of each patty. This creates a flat burger and prevents the middle of the burger from mounding as it cooks.

  • Place the burgers on the grill. Allow this side of the patty to cook for about 4-6 minutes, but make sure it doesn’t burn. Flip the burgers over and cook to desired doneness.

Secret Sauce

  • Add all of the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust ingredients to your liking.

  • Assemble the burgers and serve with the special sauce and all of your favorite hamburger toppings!

Originally posted on May 29, 2012
Updated on May 22, 2024 

Calories: 343kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 16gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 704mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 64IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Published by Staff Reporter