
By Becky Hardin
Published Feb 4, 2022

It’s no secret that I am a big burger fan, and this simple BBQ burger recipe is one of my absolute favorite meals! I mixed sweet and smoky BBQ sauce right into the ground beef to add an extra pop of flavor to every bite. Grilling these burgers (along with my secret ingredient) really takes them to the next level flavor-wise. These are the burgers of the summer!

While I love a classic burger , I love finding ways to add flavor and mix things up when burger night rolls around. With these simple BBQ grilled burgers, I’ve unlocked the secret to juicy, flavorful burgers from scratch. With just 5 ingredients, these burgers are bursting with flavor and so easy to make. Even my picky kids love them!
What’s in this Simple BBQ Burger Recipe?
- Ground Beef: Ground chuck is ideal for burger patties. I recommend meat that is 80% lean and 20% fat. Avoid anything leaner than 85% or you’ll end up with burgers that are dry and tough.
- Garlic + Onion : Add savory flavor to the meat.
- BBQ Sauce : Adds BBQ flavor right into the burgers. I also like to brush some on top as they cook! Use your favorite brand for the best taste.
- Steak Seasoning: This is my secret ingredient for insanely flavorful burgers! I used McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak , but any brand will work to add flavor to the patties.

Tips for Success
- My favorite way to cook burgers is on the grill , but you can also make these on the stovetop with a grill pan or skillet. Add a little oil to your pan and let it get hot before cooking the burgers on each side.
- For perfectly cooked burgers, oil the grates and preheat the grill while you prepare the burger patties. Placing the burgers on a hot grill ensures delicious grill marks and evenly cooked burgers.
- Try not to over-mix the burger patty mixture. Everything should be well-combined, but over-mixing can lead to tough and try burgers.
- For evenly cooked burgers, make an indentation in the middle of each burger prior to grilling.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover BBQ burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the grill or in a pan on the stove.

Serving Suggestions
I love to serve these simple BBQ grilled burgers with some baked sweet potato fries , Instant Pot BBQ baked beans , and corn on the cob .

All the Burgers
Guide to Cooking Burgers at Home
See all of our favorite burger recipes plus tips and tricks for cooking the ultimate burger at home.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ pounds ground beef
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 3 tablespoons minced onion
- ▢ 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce plus more for brushing
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
- ▢ 4 hamburger buns for serving
Optional Toppings
- ▢ Sliced cheese
- ▢ Lettuce
- ▢ Tomato
- ▢ Pickle slices
- ▢ Sliced onion
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all burger ingredients together until just combined. 1½ pounds ground beef, 2 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoons minced onion, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
- Shape the meat into 4 equal-sized patties. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty.
- Grill the burgers over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, until they reach your desired doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, brush the tops of the burgers with a little more barbecue sauce. If topping the burgers with cheese, add the cheese and allow it to slightly melt.
- Remove the burgers from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings and enjoy. 4 hamburger buns, Sliced cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle slices, Sliced onion
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make BBQ Burgers Step by Step
Season the Meat: In a large bowl, mix 1½ pounds of ground beef, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 3 tablespoons of onion, 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of steak seasoning together until just combined.

Form the Patties: Shape the meat into 4 equal-sized patties. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty.

Grill the Burgers: Grill the burgers over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, until they reach your desired doneness. During the last minute of cooking, brush the tops of the burgers with a little more barbecue sauce. If topping the burgers with cheese, add the cheese and allow it to slightly melt. Remove the burgers from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

More Burger Recipes to Try!

Cheeseburger Sliders (Baked Sliders Recipe)

Wisconsin Butter Burger Recipe

Air Fryer Hamburgers

Baked Hamburgers Recipe (How to Cook Burgers in the Oven)

Simple BBQ Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons minced onion
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce plus more for brushing
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
- 4 hamburger buns for serving
Optional Toppings
- Sliced cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickle slices
- Sliced onion
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all burger ingredients together until just combined. 1½ pounds ground beef, 2 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoons minced onion, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
- Shape the meat into 4 equal-sized patties. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty.
- Grill the burgers over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, until they reach your desired doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, brush the tops of the burgers with a little more barbecue sauce. If topping the burgers with cheese, add the cheese and allow it to slightly melt.
- Remove the burgers from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings and enjoy. 4 hamburger buns, Sliced cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle slices, Sliced onion
Video
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition

By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
