This Hamburger Seasoning comes together with simple ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Add it to your hamburger patties for the best hamburger seasoning! Make a big batch and have it on hand all grilling seasoning.

As we head into grilling seasoning, I wanted to make sure you had our favorite grilling recipe. The easiest summer dinner is some hamburgers and on the grill along with grilled corn and other veggies.
But if you are going to have hamburgers once a week on the grill, you need the best hamburger seasoning to go with it. I’m here to help!
One of my joys in life is coming up with simple recipes that contain simple ingredients and leave you feeling so happy about the dinner you created in your kitchen. This burger seasoning recipe is the best and totally fits the bill.
This is the best hamburger seasoning ever. Everything incorporates together nothing is strong. Everything is balanced. I love love this recipe! Will use forever!

Homemade Hamburger Seasoning Ingredients
The best part about this seasoning blend is it is made with spices you already have in your pantry.
- Paprika: Both smoked paprika and sweet paprika work in this recipe. Choose which one you enjoy most.
- Brown Sugar: The brown sugar and the seasoning crisp up on the outside of the burger making for such a great flavor and delicious burger.
- Onion Powder
- Table Salt: If you only have kosher hand on salt, you will want to increase it a little bit.
- Black Pepper: I love using freshly ground black pepper in this recipe.
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin: This brings a really subtle smokey flavor to the mix.
- Cayenne Pepper: This brings a really small subtle spice to the mix. It brakes down to a small pinch per burger. I wouldn’t hesitate to add this even if you are sensitive to spice.


How To Use Burger Seasoning
- Rub into the patties: Once you make the burger patties, use one tablespoon of the seasoning on them. Sprinkle the spice mix on the patties, and gently rub it into each side of the patties.
- Mix into the meat: Alternatively, you can mix the burger seasoning right into the meat before forming them into patties.
- Use in turkey burgers: To use with turkey, follow my recipe for Turkey Burgers. I mix the seasoning right into the meat with a few other ingredients.
- Make burgers in the air fryer: If you don’t have access to a grill, but own an air fryer, make Air Fryer Burgers.
Storing
Store your homemade burger seasoning in an airtight container. Keep it in a cold and dry place for up to six months. Please note that this time frame is based on you starting with fresh spices. While spices don’t really go bad, they are less flavorful as time goes on.

What to Serve with Grilled Hamburgers
I have so many amazing recipes that would be perfect on the side of a grilled hamburger!
- Grilled Corn: Our very favorite side dish for grilling is corn, and we have a full post telling you how to make it to perfection.
- Grilled Potatoes: I love these baby potatoes, and they cook up so perfectly on the grill.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad: This is a really popular recipe, and for good reason; it’s delicious and easy. That dressing though!
- Greek Pasta Salad: If you aren’t really feeling leafy greens, make this! It’s easy and one of those recipes you will come back to over and over.
If you make this best burger seasoning mix or any of the recipes listed here, please be sure to leave me a comment letting know what you think!

Burger Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons table salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. The recipe will make 9 tablespoons total, or enough for 9 pounds of hamburger meat.2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons table salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- To make hamburgers, divided one pound of 80/20 ground beef into four equal patties, indenting the middle for easier cooking.
- Use one tablespoon of the hamburger seasoning and gently rub it into both sides of each hamburger patty. In other words, you will use a total of 1 tablespoon of the seasoning to season both sides of four burger patties made from 1 pound of ground beef. (Alternatively you could mix 1 tablespoon into one pound of hamburger meat.)
- Grill the patties over medium heat for 3 1/2 minutes on each side for medium doneness.
- Store the rest of the mixture in an airtight container for up to six months.
Recipe Video
Notes










Jeanette says
I made up a batch of the hamburger seasoning last night and just sprinkled a little and rubbed it on both sides of the burgers and it was really good. Have you used it on any other meats or recipes?
I’m so glad to hear you like it! I haven’t, only because I have a Chicken Rub I really like and I just developed a Pork Rub you can see in this BBQ Pulled Pork.
Denise Kellum says
For the person that was concerned about the brown sugar, I believe Swerve makes a brown sugar.That would be a good substitute for you.
Autumn G. says
My family loved this seasoning! I mixed mine into the patties as well as rubbed both sides…delish! As we move into the summer months this will be our go to for hamburgers:)
I’m so glad you liked it!
CINDY says
Smoked paprika or sweet,, on the burger seasoning,,?it makes a big difference,,you recipes sound great, i just discovered your site! Making burgers tonight!!
I’m so happy you found me! We have made it with both types of paprika and enjoy it both ways.
Lorie says
It was awesome!!! Everyone enjoyed it. I used smoked paprika because that is all I had and it added a little extra smokey flavor to it. I made a big batch to use on all my grilled beef this summer.
I’m so happy you liked it!
Johann says
What do you put in the Hamburg, anything? Just the seasoning?
Correct! You don’t need anything but ground beef and the seasoning.
Eric Pace says
Fantabulous! Just FANTABULOUS, everyone loved it.
5 stars.
Eric, I’m so happy that you liked it!
Julie hereth says
This by far is the best hamburger seasoning we’ve ever had thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it, Julie! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Ann Marie says
Thank You for all your recipes, you share. I love that it doesn’t break the bank, especially with the increased cost of everything & that they’re something I can make ahead of time, during the summer. Love all the tips too!!
Ann Marie, this makes my day! You hit all the things I am aiming to do! This truly warms my heart.
Bobby King says
Best burger seasoning I have ever tasted. I will be trying some of your other recipes. Thank you so much for sharing. Simply awesome!!!
I’m so glad you liked it, Bobby!