The Best Smoked Burger Recipe (Juicy Burgers)
These tasty smoked burgers will quickly become a dinnertime staple. They are absolutely delicious, flavorful, and perfectly cooked on the grill, making this the best smoked burger recipe you’ll ever have!
Smoking is one of our favorite ways to cook, especially during the warmer weather! These smoked burgers are a summer time must-make.
We have been making all kinds of delicious grilled recipes this summer. Don’t miss out on these smoked baby back ribs, BBQ chicken drumsticks, and grilled salmon too!
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I have to say that these smoked burgers are by far one of our favorite recipes. The combination of smoke flavor and the way that these are cooked is seriously to die for.
These burgers are so delicious that the entire family keeps asking for more. And the teenagers keep bringing their friends over for burger nights. It’s not hard to figure out why!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Imagine biting into a burger that’s been kissed by gentle wisps of smoke, delivering a depth of flavor that’s both rich and tantalizing. These smoked burgers are not just meals; they’re experiences.
Perfectly cooked on the grill, they boast a juiciness that’s hard to match, making them an instant favorite for family dinners and backyard gatherings alike. Trust me, once you’ve had a taste, you’ll be firing up the smoker every chance you get!
How Long Should Burgers Be Smoked?
We like to smoke our burgers at 165°F for two hours or, if we are in a hurry, at 225°F for an hour. If you don’t have extra time, they can be smoked at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time.
Do You Flip Burgers When Smoking?
We do not flip the burgers while smoking them because our smoker does a great job of circulating the indirect heat and smoke.
Can You Smoke Hamburger Meat?
Yes! And it makes the most delicious burger. Let us show you how.
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Burger Making Supplies
- Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – This is our Traeger model. It’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must-have Traeger products.
- Meater Thermometer – We love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
- BBQ tongs – We keep ours by the smoker for easy use.
- Mixing bowls – You’ll need the largest one that you have for this recipe.
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons – We often eyeball the ingredients in this recipe now, but for the beginner it’s good to measure everything exactly.
- Parchment paper – Used to separate the patties as you make them.
- Kitchen scale – For making the burgers equal sizes.
- Burger press – This is optional, but good for making uniform burgers.
Smoked Burger Recipe
If you think that these burgers looks amazing, then you should check out our beer can chicken recipe as well! It’s our favorite way to cook chicken on the Traeger. So moist and delicious!
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Ingredients
Here are a few of the basic grocery store staples that you will need to get started with this easy smoked burger recipe.
- Ground beef – Opt for an 80/20 blend. Costco has the best deal on ground beef. I buy a large pack at least once a month.
- Ground pork – Mixing in ground pork adds a subtle sweetness and extra tenderness to the patties.
- Homemade BBQ sauce – We love our homemade version, but you can use this Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar sauce instead.
- Egg – We’re currently loving farm fresh eggs!
- Hamburger seasoning – Montreal steak spice will also work.
We often double and triple this recipe to make as many burgers as we need. They can easily be frozen to use later.
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat. Mix well.
2. Add the BBQ sauce, egg, and spices.
3. Combine until everything is mixed thoroughly.
4. Form the mixture into burger patties that are about 5 oz each.
Tip: Make the patties about 5″ in diameter and 1″ thick. They will shrink in size when cooked.
5. Layer the round patties between sheets of parchment paper on a sheet pan for easy handling.
6. Place burgers on the Traeger smoker grates, preheated to 165°F, and allow them to smoke for two hours.
Tip: After the two hour mark, once the burgers have been smoked, you can place them in the freezer for later use.
7. When ready to serve, turn the Traeger up to 425°F and cook the beef patties for 5 more minutes on each side. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F with a meat thermometer.
Flip each burger halfway through grilling to help cook the patty thoroughly. This easy recipe makes 12 juicy burgers, perfect for serving on large burger buns.
Add a slice of cheddar cheese and your favorite toppings to complete the ultimate burger stack!
Tips and Tricks
- We have this Traeger Pro 780 Pellet Grill wood pellet smoker- it has been a game changer for all of our grilling. Every single thing we make turns out perfectly delicious!
- Any smoker can be used for this hamburger recipe though. We’ve also made these burgers in our vertical smoker. It uses wood chips, rather than wood pellets, and is much larger than the Traeger. You can see our vertical smoker in use in this smoked salmon recipe post.
- Once the thick patties have been smoked, you can also cook them on the grill grate of a traditional gas or charcoal grill. This is a great tip if you are planning on smoking the burgers ahead of time and then taking them camping!
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your burgers reach an internal temp of 160°F for safety without sacrificing juiciness.
- Press a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
Smoked Hamburger Recipe Alternatives
Try adding these ingredients to the ground beef mixture.
- Your favorite condiments like mustard or ketchup.
- Onion powder or garlic salt would be good alternatives.
- Your favorite BBQ sauce works well.
- Worcestershire sauce is often added in the place of BBQ sauce.
- Try a hamburger dry rub instead of steak spice or add black pepper.
The trick to making the perfect juicy burgers is cooking them at a lower temperature for longer. These do not need high heat; low and slow helps to lock in the smoky flavor, taking these to the next level.
More Hamburger Recipes
- Hamburger Seasoning
- The Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
- Chimichurri Burger Recipe
- How to Bake Hamburgers
- Breakfast Burger Recipe
- Smoked Burger Recipe
- Mushroom Swiss Burgers
- BBQ Hamburger Recipe
- Skillet Hamburgers
- Bacon Wrapped Burgers
- How to Freeze Hamburger Patties
Be sure to check out these 20+ Must-Try Hamburger Recipes too!
We recently hosted a backyard BBQ for friends and family and made a huge double batch of these burgers. They were a hit with everyone and quickly became a new favorite.
Some of our favorite side dishes to serve with these great burgers include: grilled corn on the cob, creamy kale Caesar salad, and classic potato salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to flip the burgers while smoking?
Flipping isn’t necessary during the smoking process, but if you decide to give them a quick sear afterward, a single flip will suffice.
Can I use a gas grill to smoke these burgers?
Yes, by using a smoke tube filled with wood pellets, you can achieve a smoky flavor on a gas grill.
What’s the best type of wood to use for smoking burgers?
Hickory and mesquite are excellent choices for a strong smoky flavor, while apple or cherry wood offer a milder taste.
Can I prepare the patties in advance?
Absolutely! Form the patties ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to smoke. You can also freeze hamburger patties.
You can also cook these burgers in the oven or stovetop once they have been smoked! They are just as delicious, as smoking locks in that amazing flavor.
Be sure to check out these 20+ Best Smoker Recipes on a Pellet Grill too!
If you love this smoked burgers recipe, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
Smoked Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup white onion finely diced (optional)
- 2 Tbsp steak spice
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat. Mix well.
- Add the bbq sauce, egg and spices.
- Combine until everything is mixed thoroughly.
- Form the mixture into burger patties that are about 5oz each.
- Layer the round patties between sheets of parchment paper on a sheet pan for easy handling.
- Place burgers on the Traeger smoker at 165 degrees F and allow them to smoke for two hours.
- When ready to serve turn the Traeger up to 425 degrees and cook the beef patties for 5 more minutes on each side.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe will NOT result in 12 portions/servings as stated in the recipe…the math does now equate to that number based on the volume of the ingredients. Per portion size of 5oz each, the results will be barely 8 total portions. Maybe someone needs to go back to school and get some remedial math.
We always love a spicy commenter lol – you are correct however the recipe says “about” 5 oz and also gives pattie dimensions. So… measure that sizz with your heart and make 8 large burgers or 12 small ones OR like we do, double the entire thing and have the best smoked burgers for days.
I tried your recipe a couple weeks ago and everyone loved them! I’m just learning how to use my smoker so this was a great first and easy recipe to do! Thanks for sharing.
So glad that you loved them!!
1st of all to much crap on your page. Creates to much lag.
Turn out good but not great… tasted like a whopper. 1.5lbs of meat doesn’t = 10 burgers 5″ x 1″ thick. Make them the size you want and adjust the times. Good but not great.
Thanks for taking the time to give your feedback Tim.
Sorry, In my review I stated 1.5lbs …. 2.5lbs doesn’t = 10 burgers 5″ x 1″
Burgers are fantastic! We make them often!
So glad that you love them!! Thanks for sharing <3
When do you mix in the other ingredients, you only say when to mix in the BBQ Sauce?
Step 2, with the BBQ sauce.