This mouthwatering burger is kissed with delicious, savory smoke then seared to perfection before serving. Fire up your grill and get ready to sink your teeth into the ultimate smoked burger!

When we first developed this recipe, we were amazed at how tender and flavorful the burgers were. And the cooking process was so easy! The secret is seasoning them well and keeping a close eye on the cooking temperature. We’ve used this smoke and sear method ever since, with great results each time.

Why you should make smoked burgers.

The smoking method is a great way to cook hamburgers. Low and slow cooking will produce a juicy beef burger with a nice red-brown crust. The best part is that you can pair these smoked burgers with just about any topping you can think of. They are great with bacon, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, chili crisp, creamy queso, and more!

How long to smoke burgers

It takes between 45-60 minutes at 225 degrees F for these burgers to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Now this time can vary based on the individual grill or smoker used, the weather, and elevation. Remember to remove the burgers when they reach 145-150 degrees to reverse-sear them.

Flipping smoked burgers

Yes, smoked burger patties should be flipped halfway through the cooking. However, some backyard cooks will leave them as is. It’s a matter of personal choice. We’ve tried both ways and noticed that flipping helps to promote even cooking.

Ingredients

• Ground chuck (3 pounds worth – sub with ground sirloin, or a mixture of both)
• Sliced cheese (blue, pepper jack, American, or cheddar cheese)
• Large onion (we recommend red onions for these pellet grill burger, but these Smoked Onions are amazing too!)
• Hamburger buns (regular, sesame seed, or brioche)
• Barbecue sauce (bottled or homemade)
• Salt and pepper (or a BBQ Rub)
• Sliced tomatoes, lettuce, pickles and bacon
• Preferred condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc)
• A reliable instant read meat thermometer

Optional step: Smoke the onions too. This add a nice flavor boost for these smoked pellet grill burgers. Or, top them with crispy Kansas City Style Onion Rings!

Recommended wood

To transform a regular burger into the ultimate smoked burger, you will need to select the right wood for smoking. It’s best to choose mild to moderate flavors, as strong, robust woods can impart a bitter flavor to smaller items like burgers.

• Apple
• Cherry
• Pecan
• Oak

How to make the Ultimate Smoked Burgers

• Preheat your grill or smoker to 225 degrees F. 
• Make the patties: Form the ground beef into 4 equal-sized hamburger patties. Make a small dent in the center of each patty.
• Season your patties with salt and pepper or a BBQ rub right before placing them on the grill.
• Grill them: Place the patties on the grates, close the lid and let the burgers cook for 30 minutes. Flip them, close the lid once more, and continue until they reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees F.
• Reverse searing : Remove the burgers and increase the heat to your grill between 450-500 degrees. Once fully heated, place the burgers back on the grill and sear for 1-2 minutes per side. You can also sear the burgers in a cast-iron skillet on your stove top if desired.

Finishing Touches

• Cheese: After searing one side, flip the burger over and a slice of cheese to the seared side. Sear the other side for 1-2 minutes. Burgers are done once they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
• Assemble: Add the sliced tomatoes, lettuce, raw or smoked onions, burger (or BBQ) sauce, and bacon. Serve with potato salad, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, etc. Enjoy!

Recipe Suggestions

• Burger sauce: You can use a delicious burger sauce as a topping. To make it, combine 1 cup bottled or homemade barbecue sauce with 1/3 cup of mayonnaise in a bowl. Use right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Cheese Other cheese option include sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Monterey jack, feta cheese, or Smoked Cream Cheese . If you’re looking for something milder, use swiss or provolone on these smoked burgers.
• Make it a meat lover’s dream: Top these smoky burgers with black pepper bacon or pulled pork.
• Leftovers: Store leftover smoked burgers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325 degrees F, or in a skillet, air fryer, or microwave.
• Spice Level: Want it spicier? Add a little cayenne or chipotle chili powder to the seasoning mix, or use pickled jalapenos or chili crisp as a topping!

More Delicious Recipes

• New York Strip Steaks
• Old Bay Chicken Wings
• Smoked Chuck Roast
• Smoked Beef Tri-Tip 
• Roasted Leg of Lamb
• Holiday Rib Roast on a Pellet Grill
• Cowboy Steak
• Pork Ribs

Print

The Ultimate Smoked Burger

These burgers are cooked low and slow, seared, then topped with cheese, onions, and barbecue sauce. The flavor is unmatched!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, American BBQ

Keyword burger recipes, pellet grill recipes, smoked hamburgers

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6 Burgers

Calories 552kcal

Author Derrick Riches

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground chuck (80/20)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 11/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 red onion raw or smoked (see instructions)
• 6 slices blue cheese or pepper Jack cheese (or cheese of choice)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (see notes)
• 6 hamburger buns
• 2 medium tomatoes sliced
• 12 slices cooked bacon

Instructions

• Preheat your grill or smoker to 225 degrees F.
• Form the ground beef into 4 equal-sized hamburger patties. Make a small well in the center of each patty.
• Season your patties with salt and pepper (or BBQ rub).
• Place the patties directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook them for a total of 60 minutes, flipping them after 30 minutes.
• Once the patties reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, it's time to sear them.
• Remove the patties, and increase the heat to your grill to 450-500 degrees. Once heated, place the burgers back on the grill and sear for 1-2 minutes per side. Top with cheese afterward.
• Top the burgers with sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onions, BBQ sauce, and bacon. Enjoy!
• Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best results, reheat in a skillet on your stovetop until warmed through.

Notes

• Cheese can make the difference between a decent burger and a phenomenal burger. If you like blue cheese and you can get your hands on some blue cheese slices, give that a go. Otherwise, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, pepper jack, feta cheese, or Smoked Cream Cheese will work well on these pellet burgers. If you’re in the mild for something mild, try swiss or provolone.
• Make these burgers a meat lover’s dream by adding black pepper bacon or pulled pork on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 5mg

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