Classic Pub Burger Recipe with Worcestershire Sauce

Why You Should Make This Best Hamburger Recipe

Here are the top 3 reasons you need to make these flavorful hamburgers:

1. The best juicy burger with so much flavor - not your regular burger!
2. These are the best homemade hamburgers that are so easy to make!
3. They taste just like steakhouse burgers or Shake Shack smash burgers!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

What is a Pub Burger Made Of?

The best type of beef for burgers is one with a higher fat content, such as 80/20. Lean ground beef has less fat but tends to produce less juicy burgers.

If you want to use lean beef, use 90/10 versus extra lean 93/7.

You could also make spinach and turkey burgers or chicken burgers using this recipe.

Worcestershire sauce provides delicious flavor enhancement with a sweet and savory umami flavor - we also use this in our turkey burger sliders.

Ketchup and mustard are typical burger sauce toppings that are so delicious in the burger meat. They provide tangy flavor and moisture.

BBQ sauce would also be a great substitute for ketchup and mustard. We use BBQ sauce in these air fryer turkey burgers.

Milk combined with a slice of bread provides moisture and helps the burger to stay together. You could also use breadcrumbs if you do not have bread.

Simple seasonings like kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder season the meat and provide incredible flavor. Onion powder is also a delicious seasoning that makes the best burgers.

How to Make This Delicious Burger Recipe

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.

Step 1 - Season the Meat

Place the hamburger meat into a large bowl. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 2 - Add Remaining Ingredients to a Large Mixing Bowl

Add the bread, milk, mustard, and ketchup to the top of the meat. Allow the milk to soak into the bread for a few minutes.

Step 3 - Form the Patties

Use your hands to incorporate the meat mixture, without over-mixing. Form the meat into four hamburger patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper in a single layer.

Step 4 - How Do You Cook Thick Pub Burgers?

Place the ground beef patties onto a very hot griddle heated to medium-high heat (around 400F). Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes per side.

If you are using cheese, place the slice of cheese on top of the burger after you flip it during the last 2 minutes of grilling.

How to Make a Smashburger or Sizzle Burgers

To make a smash burger recipe, follow the preparation directions through the steps for combining the ingredients. Form the meat into 8 equal-sized balls.

Once the grill is hot smash the burgers down onto the grill with a flat tool like a large wide spatula or a cast iron grill press. This will create a caramelized outside and edges.

Smash burgers will cook faster than traditional burgers. Cook them for 2-3 minutes per side.

What Toppings Can You Put On a Burger?

Serve the burgers on hamburger buns or in a burger bowl with your favorite burger toppings.

Here are our top 10 favorite burger topping ideas:

1. Lettuce
2. Tomato
3. Grilled onions or raw onions
4. Fried Egg
5. Guacamole
6. Sauteed mushrooms
7. American or cheddar cheese
8. BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard
9. Crispy onions or onion rings
10. Pickles

What is a Good Side For Burgers?

Side dishes like french fries, sweet potato fries, or grilled corn are some of the best side dishes for a finished burger.

During the summer a light and refreshing salad like watermelon salad, spinach quinoa salad, or roasted potato salad make the best side dishes for burgers or hot dogs.

Pasta salads are another favorite burger side dish, especially for summer holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. Italian veggie pasta salad, pesto tortellini salad, Greek cheese tortellini pasta salad, and pesto orzo salad are a few of our favorites!

Expert Tips

• Do not use very cold beef when forming the meat mixture. If possible, allow the meat to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before assembling.
• Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the burger to ensure you are cooking it to your preferred liking.
• Use your thumb to put a small imprint in the middle of the patty to prevent it from rising too much during grilling.

Recipe FAQs