If you’re in the mood for a hamburger, why not try smoking it? These Pit Boss burgers are epic, loaded with cheese and burger and its takes the patties to next level of flavor, with little fuss.
However, some people have problems with the patties drying out. If you follow my EPIC recipe below you’ll get super juicy, flavorful burgers EVERYTIME!
Why You’ll Love My Smoked Burger Recipe
My declious recipe for smoked burgers does take longer than your average burger recipe
But once you’ve tasted these tasty pellet smoker burgers, you’ll never go back to the old way again!
What Sort of Ground Meat Do I Like To Use?
The most important thing you want to keep in mind is to use meat with at least a 15% fat content.
Anything less will leave your burger dry.
Of course, you don’t want anything with too high a fat content.
For one, it’s not very healthy. And two, the fat will tend to absorb the smoke, leaving the patties tasteless.
Ground chuck steak comes from the shoulder and has around 15-20% fat.
It’s the perfect lean ground meat for burgers and the preferred choice.
You can also use ground brisket for burgers. It has a good amount of fat.
Making the Patties
Using wet hands, shape the patties to the desired thickness and shape.
Make the burger size bigger than the burger bun, as they will shrink a little when cooking.
Wet hands will help prevent the mince from sticking to your hands when working.
If you are running short on time, frozen burger patties are fine.
Season as you would fresh, and grill as normal in a preheated smoker.
Seasonings for the Burgers
There are no set rules when it comes to seasoning the patties, so experiment a little.
You can keep it simple and season it with salt and black pepper, or spice it up a bit with your favorite barbecue rub.
Baste with a coating of Worcestershire sauce or barbecue sauce.
This will give the dry rub something to stick to.
How to Smoke Burgers on the Grill
Smoked burger patties on the pellet grill are pretty simple and straightforward.
Set the pellet smoker to 225°F and load it with wood chips.
Gentle heat will take a little longer, but the smokey flavor will be worth the wait.
Note: See my tips on how to keep burgers from shrinking on the grill here.
What Pellet Chips Do I Use When Smoking Burgers on My Pit Boss
Stronger flavored wood, like mesquite pellets or hickory pellets, is great for burgers.
The slight bacon flavor will give the beef a smoke flavor that will enhance your burgers.
But, even the more subtle flavors like apple and cherry wood will give a good smokey flavor boost.
Use whatever is already loaded into the wood pellet grill hopper.
What’s the Best Temperature For Smoking Burgers?
The ideal temperature for smoking burgers on a pellet grill is 225°F – 300°F.
While they can cook at a higher temperature, low and slow temperature for smoking burgers is best.
The extended smoke time in the smoker will give a stronger flavor, as low temps produce more smoke.
It will also stop the ground beef patties from swelling up and bowing in the middle.
When the burgers are 5°F away from the desired internal temperature, increase the heat of the pellet grill.
Use direct heat to sear the burger patties for an additional 2-3 minutes each time.
This will create a lovely crust on the exterior.
How to Know When the Burgers Are Cooked?
The USDA guidelines say to cook ground beef to 160°F.
When using a pellet that usually takes about 60-90 minutes.
The best way to check the doneness is to use a temperature probe and watch the internal temps.
As with any meat cooked on a grill, it’s best to cook to temperature and not appearance or color.
Smoking tends to leave the meat looking a little pink anyway. So, if you wait until it’s the ‘right color’ you risk overcooking and drying out the burger patties.
What to Serve With Your Burgers
The number one tip is don’t forget to toast the hamburger buns.
Use the pellet grill once the hamburger patties are removed.
The buns will soak up any of the juicy goodness left behind.
Pretty much anything goes with burger toppings.
Traditional lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion. Fresh coleslaw, pickles, mayo, bacon, or barbecue sauce are great too.
Whatever you add, it’s bound to be delicious and worth the wait!
What You Need For Smoked Burgers
- 1.5 pounds of ground beef
- 1 Egg
- 100 grams bread crumbs
- Salt + Pepper
- Dried Oregano
- Burger buns
- Cheddar cheese
- Red Onion
- Avocado
- Tomato Relish
- Beetroot
- Lettuce
- Bacon
Method for Making My Smoked Burgers
Step 1: Make The Patties
Mix the mince, egg, bread crumbs, oregano, salt and pepper together in a bowl.
Mix well and make into 6 big patties or 12 small patties.
Step 2: Preheat the Grill
Preheat the pellet smoker to 300°F in smoke mode.
Once heated place the patties on the pellet grill grate.
Step 3: Cook The Burgers & Melt The Cheese
Cook burgers for 1.5 hours or when the internal temp reaches 145°F.
Optional: Place a slice of cheese on the patties and allow it to melt.
Step 4: Check The Internal Temperature
When the internal temp now reaches 160°F, they are ready to remove from the grill.
Step 5: Toast Your Buns and Assemble
Toast your buns on the grill, then assemble your burgers as you, please.
Smoked Burgers
Equipment
- 1 smoker or grill
Ingredients
- 2 lb Ground beef mince 80% – 20% meat-to-fat ratio
- 6 whole Burger Buns of your choosing we love fluffy brioche buns
- 1/2 whole Raw yellow onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Dried oregano
- 1 whole Egg
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
Ingredients For Burger Topping
- 6 slices American cheese slices
- 12 pickles Pickles
- 6 slices fresh tomato
- 1 handful Lettuce
- 1 whole Avo
- 6 slices Beetroot
- 1/2 whole Red onion
Basting Ingredients
- 4 tbsps BBQ Sauce
Ingredients For Homemade Burger Sauce
- ½ cup Full-fat mayonnaise
- ½ cup Tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon or English mustard
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Instructions
- Chop the onion very finely. Mix the mince, onion, egg, bread crumbs, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Mix well and make it into 6 big patties or 12 small patties. (Use the bottom of a saucepan to squash down the patties evenly).
- Preheat the smoker to 300°F in smoke mode. Once heated place the patties on the pellet grill grate. Insert the temperature probes.
- Cook burgers for 1 hour or when the internal temp reaches 145°F. Baste the burgers with bbq sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
- Place a slice of cheese on the patties and allow it to melt.
- When the internal temp now reaches 165°F, they are ready to remove from the grill.
- Toast your buns on the grill.
- Slather the burger sauce on the top bun. Layer on lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion, avo, and beetroot!
Love Burgers? Check Out My Other Recipes
Brisket Burgers
As meats on the pellet smoker go, juicy flavorful burger patties are one of the easiest to tackle.
Next time you cook burgers, try smoking them!
It takes ordinary burgers and makes them spectacular!
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
Hungry For More?
Delcious burger reicpe!! We ended up using more onion in the patty and added two types of cheese the family loved this!