Are you on the hunt for the ultimate, juicy, and flavor-packed homemade burger recipe for your next cookout? A burger that is simple, classic, and completely unforgettable? This is your definitive guide to the perfect grilled burger, complete with a zesty, spicy, and incredibly delicious homemade Spicy Dill Salsa that will absolutely blow your mind and become your new favorite topping.
This isn’t just another burger recipe; it’s a complete masterclass in the art of the perfect burger. We’ll show you the simple but crucial secrets to forming a patty that stays juicy and doesn’t dry out, and how to cook it to perfection every single time. Forget boring condiments; the fresh, crunchy, and tangy salsa is a total game-changer that will elevate your grilling to a whole new level.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Grilling Classic
What makes this Burger recipe truly “the best” is its perfect combination of a simple, high-quality patty and a unique, incredibly flavorful topping. The burger itself is a celebration of great beef, seasoned simply with just salt and pepper to let the rich flavor shine. The real star, however, is the Spicy Dill Salsa. This brilliant, no-cook condiment uses a shortcut of dill pickle relish as a base, then loads it up with fresh, crunchy tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a spicy kick from serrano peppers. It’s a satisfying, crowd-pleasing, and surprisingly easy meal that is perfect for any summer barbecue or family dinner.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 12 burgers |
The Essential Ingredients for The Perfect Burger
This iconic dish uses a handful of simple, classic ingredients to create a spectacular result.
- The Perfect Burger Patty:
- The Ground Beef: The quality of your ground beef is the single most important factor. For the absolute juiciest, most flavorful burgers, it is essential to use ground beef with a good fat-to-lean ratio. An 80/20 blend of ground chuck is the gold standard and is highly recommended. A 90/10 blend like a ground sirloin will also work but will result in a slightly leaner burger.
- The “Less is More” Seasoning: For a truly great burger, all you need is a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- The Spicy Dill Salsa: This is the tangy, crunchy, and spicy topping that takes this burger over the top.
- The Shortcut Base: Using a jar of your favorite dill pickle relish is a brilliant shortcut that provides an instant base of tangy, sweet, and vinegary flavor with a wonderful texture.
- The Fresh Components: A fresh, crunchy medley of finely chopped plum tomatoes, white onion, red onion, and fresh cilantro turns the relish into a true, vibrant salsa.
- The Heat: One or two finely chopped serrano peppers add a wonderful, clean, and bright kick of heat. You can easily control the spice level by removing all the seeds and white membranes.
Step-by-Step to the Best Homemade Burgers
This delicious meal comes together in just a few simple stages. We’ve also included instructions for cooking these on the stovetop!
Step 1: Make the Spicy Dill Salsa
In a medium bowl, mix together all of your salsa ingredients: the 10-ounce jar of dill pickle relish, the 3 finely chopped plum tomatoes, the finely chopped small white onion, the 1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion, the 1/2 cup of minced fresh cilantro, the 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and the 1 to 2 chopped serrano peppers.
Set the salsa aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare and cook the burgers.
Part 2: Form the Perfect Burger Patties
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the 3 pounds of ground beef, the 2 teaspoons of salt, and the 1 teaspoon of pepper.
Step 2: Use your clean hands to gently mix the salt and pepper into the meat until it is just combined.
Pro Tip: The number one secret to a tender burger is to not overwork the meat. Handle it as little as possible.
Step 3: Form the mixture into twelve 1/2-inch-thick patties. Use your thumb to make a small, shallow indentation in the middle of each patty. This classic grilling trick will prevent the burgers from puffing up into a dome shape as they cook, ensuring they stay flat and cook evenly.
Part 3: Grill to Juicy Perfection
Step 1: Preheat your grill or a grill pan to a medium heat.
Step 2: Grill the burgers, with the grill covered, for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
Pro Tip: The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a perfectly cooked and safe burger is to use an instant-read thermometer. Ground beef is safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the patty registers 160°F (71°C).
Step 4: During the last minute of cooking, you can toast your hamburger buns on the grill, if desired.
Serve the hot, juicy burgers on the buns, topped with a generous spoonful of the fresh and spicy dill salsa.
The Best Juicy Burger Recipe (with Spicy Dill Salsa!)
A simple recipe for classic grilled beef burgers, elevated with a unique and flavorful spicy dill salsa. The salsa is a fresh, relish-style condiment made with dill pickle relish, finely chopped fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and spicy serrano peppers. The ground beef patties are simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then grilled or broiled to perfection. The burgers are served on hamburger buns and topped with the homemade salsa.
Ingredients
- For the Spicy Dill Salsa:
- 1 jar (10 ounces) dill pickle relish
- 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 small white onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 to 2 serrano peppers, seeded and chopped
- For the Burgers:
- 3 pounds ground beef
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 12 hamburger buns, split
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the dill pickle relish, chopped tomatoes, white onion, red onion, cilantro, olive oil, and serrano peppers to create the salsa. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Mix lightly but thoroughly with your hands, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape the mixture into twelve 1/2-inch-thick patties.
- Grill the burgers on a preheated, covered grill over medium heat (or broil 4 inches from the heat) for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until a thermometer inserted into the center of a patty reads 160°F.
- Serve the burgers on hamburger buns, topped with the spicy dill salsa.
Notes
- This is a great recipe for a cookout, making a large batch of 12 burgers.
- The unique salsa combines the convenience of jarred dill pickle relish with fresh ingredients for a quick and flavorful topping.
- Be careful not to overmix the ground beef when forming the patties to ensure they remain tender.
Stovetop Instructions (No Grill, No Problem!)
If you don’t have a grill, you can easily cook these burgers in a large skillet (a cast-iron skillet is perfect!). Simply heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms and the burgers are cooked all the way through.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive meal, you can get a head start by preparing all your components in advance. The Spicy Dill Salsa can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator (the flavors will be even better!). You can also form the raw burger patties and store them, separated by parchment paper in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Storage: Store any leftover cooked patties and the salsa in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Make it a Classic Cheeseburger: This is an absolute must! During the last minute of grilling, top each of your hot burger patties with a thick slice of your favorite cheese, like a sharp cheddar, a classic American, or a smoky provolone.
- Use a Different Relish: If you’re a fan of a sweeter flavor, you can easily substitute the dill pickle relish in the salsa with an equal amount of a classic, sweet pickle relish.
- Use a Different Ground Meat: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, this recipe is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
Enjoy The Ultimate Grilling Classic!
You’ve just created a truly special burger that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This classic burger with its unique and vibrant salsa is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch meal to bring the whole family together. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new staple in your grilling repertoire.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and impressive meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute best kind of ground beef to use for a juicy burger?
The secret to a juicy burger is fat! For the absolute best, most flavorful, and juiciest result, it is highly recommended to use an 80/20 ground chuck. This means that the meat is 80% lean and 20% fat. This fat content is the key that will render as the burger cooks, keeping it incredibly moist and flavorful.
Q2: How do I keep my burgers from shrinking and puffing up on the grill?
The brilliant and simple trick is to press a small, shallow indentation into the center of each of your raw patties with your thumb. As the burger cooks, the edges will contract and the center will push upwards. This indentation helps the burger to cook into a nice, flat shape instead of a round, puffy dome.
Q3: How do I know for sure when my burger is cooked through?
The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a perfectly and safely cooked burger is to use an instant-read thermometer. Ground beef is safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the patty registers 160°F (71°C).
Q4: Can I make the spicy dill salsa ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! The salsa is a perfect make-ahead component. You can prepare it completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually have even more time to meld and will be even more delicious!
Q5: What are serrano peppers, and are they very spicy?
Serrano peppers are a type of chile pepper that is very common in Mexican cuisine. They look like a smaller, thinner version of a jalapeño. They do have a significant amount of heat, typically a bit spicier than a jalapeño. To control the heat level, be sure to remove the seeds and the white ribs from the inside of the pepper before you chop it.