Hamburgers may be the most well-known BBQ dish in the world, but the secret to a truly flavorful burger often isn’t in the meat, but in the spices. With a homemade hamburger spice mix you control the flavor, the heat level, and how much salt you add. Whether you make a classic beef burger, choose chicken, turkey or a vegetarian burger: a good spice mix makes the difference.
In this blog you will discover how to make hamburger spices yourself, which spices are best to use and how to apply the mix for the BBQ, pan and airfryer. We also explain why at Natural Spices we deliberately develop our spice mixes without added salt.
Why make hamburger spices yourself?
In many ready-made hamburger spice mixes, salt is the main ingredient. That of course adds flavor, but it also means you use relatively few herbs and spices.
When you make a spice mix yourself, the emphasis is on the flavorings. You taste the smoked paprika, the garlic, pepper and herbs much more prominently. Moreover, you can determine the amount of salt yourself or even omit it entirely.
That is also exactly the philosophy behind our own spice mixes. At Natural Spices we develop blends where herbs and spices are central, not the salt. That way you can decide during cooking how much salt, if any, to add.
Looking for more inspiration? Also check out our category with making your own spice mixes blogs. There you’ll find recipes for, among others, making your own Mexican spice mix, taco seasoning, shawarma spices, Cajun spices and many more popular spice blends.
You will also find on our website an extensive category with sugar-free and low-salt solutions, in which we show how to create plenty of flavor with less salt and sugar.
Recipe: make hamburger spices yourself
This spice mix gives a classic American burger flavor with a light smokiness.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika powder
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Mix all ingredients well and store the spice mix in an airtight spice jar. In a cool, dark place the mix will easily keep for several months.
All these spices can be found in our Natural Spices webshop.
How much hamburger spice do you use?
A good guideline is approximately:
- 1 tablespoon spice mix per 500 grams of ground meat
- optionally add salt to taste
- mix the spices gently into the meat without overworking it
By not overworking the meat, the burger stays lighter and more tender.
When do you add the spices?
There are two popular ways.
- The first is to mix the spices directly into the meat before forming the hamburgers. This way each bite gets an even flavor.
- You can also sprinkle the spices on the outside of the burger only, just before it goes on the BBQ or into the pan. This creates a slightly more intense seasoned crust.
Many barbecue enthusiasts combine both techniques: a little spice mixed into the meat and an extra layer on the outside right before cooking.
Hamburger spices for the BBQ
On the barbecue the spices gain extra character because the sugars in paprika and onion lightly caramelize. Smoked paprika powder also pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of charcoal or wood chips.
Grill the burgers over direct heat until a nice crust forms and then optionally finish briefly over indirect heat.
Avoid flipping the burgers continuously. Turning once is usually enough for a nice, juicy hamburger.
Hamburger spices for the airfryer
This spice mix also works excellently in the airfryer.
Preheat the airfryer to 190 °C. Cook hamburgers of about 150 grams for 10 to 12 minutes. Turn them halfway for even browning.
The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of the burger and the type of airfryer.
Tasty variations
With a few small adjustments you can give the spice mix a completely different character.
For an American BBQ burger add extra smoked paprika powder and a pinch of chipotle.
If you want a Mexican burger, increase the amount of cumin and add some chili powder and oregano.
For an Italian burger use basil, oregano and a small amount of fennel seed.
Prefer a steakhouse flavor? Then add extra black pepper, garlic and a bit of mustard powder.
Which herbs go well with hamburgers?
Almost all classic barbecue herbs combine well with beef. Think for example of:
- smoked paprika powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- cumin
- mustard powder
- oregano
- thyme
- cayenne pepper
- chili flakes
All these spices are also available separately in our webshop, so you can easily compose your own spice mix with high-quality ingredients.
Make yourself or ready-made?
Making hamburger spices yourself is fun, economical and gives you full control over the flavor. Still, it’s not always necessary to mix your own.
At Natural Spices we develop various spice mixes without added salt, where herbs and spices play the leading role. Ideal when you want to cook quickly but still seek the same rich flavor as a homemade spice mix.
Conclusion
A good hamburger starts with good spices. By making a hamburger spice mix yourself you determine exactly which flavors come forward and how much salt you use. Whether you cook a burger in the pan, on the BBQ or in the airfryer, a balanced spice mix elevates every hamburger to the next level.
Feeling inspired? Also check out our other blogs about making your own spice mixes for even more popular spice blends you can easily make at home. And if you prefer to get started right away, discover our natural spices, herbs and salt-free spice mixes in the Natural Spices webshop.
Purchase hamburger spices commercially or develop your own hamburger mix
Do you produce hamburgers, burgers or other meat and meat alternatives on a larger scale? Then a consistent flavor is at least as important as the quality of the ingredients. Mixing spices yourself is often not practical for production companies. A ready-made hamburger spice mix ensures every batch has the same taste and quality.
At Natural Spices we develop and produce both standard hamburger spices and customer-specific spice blends for the food industry, butchers, meal producers, horeca and wholesalers. Our R&D department can optimize an existing formulation or develop an entirely new burger seasoning with you that fits your product and target audience.
Whether you are looking for a classic American burger seasoning, a BBQ blend with smoky tones, a spicy Tex-Mex variant or a low-salt formulation: we produce starting from relatively low minimum order quantities. In addition, we can tailor spice mixes to specific requirements, such as lower salt content, a clean label formulation or a unique flavor developed exclusively for your brand.
Feel free to contact us to discuss the possibilities for commercial spice mixes, private label or custom hamburger seasonings.
Frequently asked questions
1. Which spices do you use for hamburgers?
The base usually consists of smoked paprika powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme and mustard powder.
2. How much hamburger spice do you use per kilogram of ground meat?
Allow roughly 2 tablespoons of spice mix per kilogram of ground meat. Add salt separately to taste if desired.
3. Can you make hamburger spices without salt?
Yes. Precisely by not adding salt to the spice mix you taste the herbs and spices better. You can always add salt later.
4. Are these hamburger spices suitable for the airfryer?
Yes. The mix works excellently for hamburgers from the airfryer, but also for the barbecue, grill pan and frying pan.
5. Can I use this spice mix for other dishes?
Certainly. The mix is also delicious for meatballs, pulled beef, meatloaf, potato wedges, grilled vegetables and even as a dry rub for spareribs or chicken.
