You may think that burgers can’t become even more delicious than when prepared on a grill, but there is a way to make the hamburger patties even juicier and with mouthwatering crispy edges and a beautiful char. This can be done by smoking the burgers.
Smoking burgers is easy if you already have a smoker. But even if you have a traditional gas grill, you can buy an affordable smoker box and use it for preparing these juicy smoked burgers with your grill.
The smoked burger patties can be prepared for about 40 minutes, with 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking in the smoker at a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the internal temperature of the meat is a minimum of 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the FDA regulations for a safe internal temperature.
Our recommendation is to smoke the burgers to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. You can keep an eye on the internal temperature of the patties by using an accurate meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the center of the burger and monitor the temperature throughout the cooking.
There are some highly convenient meat thermometers that can be monitored remotely via a wireless connection and which have more than one probe. This will allow you to prep the sides or enjoy time with your family and guests while the burgers are being smoked to perfection.
Smoking burgers – choosing the proper ground beef
In order to cook the most delicious burgers, you should make sure that the ground beef you will be using for the hamburger patties is suitable for this smoked burgers recipe.
If possible, try to buy ground beef which was minced on the same day in-house. Opt for ground beef which contains at least 85% meat and 15% fat. For juicier smoked burgers, you can buy ground beef with 20% fat and 80% meat.
Related article: The Best Meat Grinders in 2022
What you will need for preparing smoked Traeger burgers
Our favorite recipe for smoked burgers is the Traeger burger recipe.
To prepare these amazingly juicy burgers, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef (85% meat and 15% fat, or for juicier results – 80% meat and 20% fat) – about 1 pound for 4 patties
- A whisked fresh egg
- Seasoned salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Hamburger buns
You will also need the following tools:
- A smoker or grill with a smoker box
- Hickory or mesquite wood chips
- A meat thermometer
- A patty maker (optional)
Preparing the hamburger patties
Mix the ground beef with the egg, salt, and freshly ground pepper until they are well combined. Shape the patties in accordance with the buns you will be using, but keep in mind that the meat will shrink during the cooking, so make them a little larger. The recommended thickness of the burger patties is about ½ inch.
How long should the burgers be smoked?
The patties should take around 30 minutes to attain the recommended safe doneness of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in a prepared smoker at a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the thickness of the burgers, how frequently you open the smoker, and the outside temperature, the smoking duration may vary.
Smoking the burgers
- Preheat the smoker to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a Traeger grill, set it to the smoke setting
- Choose the wood chips you will be using. The recommended types of woods for smoked beef burgers is hickory or mesquite
- When the desired temperature is reached, place the burgers on the grates, and close the smoker’s lid
- Let them smoke for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches the recommended doneness by the FDA of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- When the desired internal temperature is reached, remove the burgers from the smoker, and let them rest for about 10 minutes
- In the meantime, toast the buns
- Serve your hamburgers with the sauces and sides of your choice
Suitable sides for the smoked burgers
These smoked burgers are so delicious that you can even serve them without the buns.
The suggested sides for the burgers include:
- A tasty char flavored grilled Caesar salad
- An easy to make creamy potato salad
- Smoked potatoes which you can prepare together with the burgers
Smoked burgers – the full recipe and instructions
- Food prep time – 10 minutes
- Cooking time – 30 minutes
- Total time – 40 minutes
- Servings – 4 hamburgers
- Calories – 423 calories
Ingredient list
- 1 pound of ground beef (for 8 burgers)
- 2 tablespoons of seasoned salt
- ½ tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 whisked egg
- Hamburger buns
Step-by-step instructions for preparing the smoked hamburgers
- Preheat your smoker to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a Traeger pellet grill, select the smoke setting. If using another smoker or grill, follow the instructions of the manufacturer
- Add the hickory, mesquite, or other chosen wood chips
- Mix the ground meat with the salt, pepper, and egg until fully combined
- Form four patties with a size slightly larger than the buns (the meat will shrink during the cooking)
- When the desired temperature is reached, place the patties on the grid
- Smoke until the internal temperature of the center of each burger is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (about 30 minutes)
- Remove them and toast the hamburger buns at a high heat
- Assemble your burgers with the condiments and toppings of your choice
Nutrition
- Calories per burger and bun: 423 kcal
- Carbs: 21g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 121mg
- Sodium: 1,469mg
- Potassium: 375mg
- Sugar: 2g
- Vitamin A: 60IU
- Vitamin C: 0.6mg
- Calcium: 101mg
- Iron 3.9mg
- Note: the nutritional value may vary depending on the toppings used, and the fat content of the ground meat