Description
Juicy, smoky, and easy-to-make grilled burgers featuring 80/20 ground beef, simple seasonings, and melted smoked Gouda cheese on toasted brioche buns.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, e.g., Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco)
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 8 slices smoked Gouda cheese
- 8 brioche buns
- 2 tablespoons softened butter (for toasting buns)
- Lettuce, tomato, and red onion (for toppings)
- Burger sauce or mayo (mixed with ketchup and relish, optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and half of the salt. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
- Divide beef into 8 equal portions. Shape into patties about ¾-inch thick, making a slight indent in the center with your thumb. Make patties slightly wider than buns to account for shrinkage.
- Season the outside of each patty generously with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Preheat grill to high heat (400-450°F). Clean grates and oil lightly with vegetable oil.
- Place patties on the grill. Close lid and cook for 6-7 minutes without pressing down. Flip when juices pool on top.
- Immediately top each patty with a slice of smoked Gouda. Close lid and cook for another 5-6 minutes until cheese melts and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove burgers to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Butter buns cut-side down and toast on the grill for 30 seconds per side until golden.
- Let burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Assemble burgers with sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and the patty on the toasted bun.
Notes
Use 80/20 beef for juiciness. Do not press burgers while cooking. Keep meat cold until grilling for a better sear. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Rest burgers for 2-3 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger with bun an
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: grilled burgers, smoked gouda, ground beef, bbq recipe, summer grilling, easy dinner, juicy burgers