These Butter Burgers are juicy, rich, and full of flavor from cold butter mixed into the beef. An easy grilled burger recipe with only 5 ingredients that is perfect for your backyard cookout.
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For me, there is nothing better than a burger on the grill in the summertime at my house. When the weather warms up, I like to be outside by the pool with my family, grilling dinner, and enjoying every minute of it. These Butter Burgers have quickly become one of our favorites. They are incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and easy to throw together.
If you love backyard grilling recipes, be sure to check out my "From the Grill" category on CookitWithTim, including my Margarita Chicken and Grilled Cabbage recipes.
Reader Review: "I love this recipe so much and I have made it twice now." - Drew
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Juicy - Grating frozen butter directly into the beef creates moisture that melts during cooking.
- Simple ingredients- You only need ground beef, butter, cheese, seasoning, and your favorite buns.
- Easy to cook - These burgers take no complicated techniques to cook.
What is a Butter Burger?
A Butter Burger is a variation of the classic hamburger that originated in Wisconsin. It is a burger patty made with butter; the butter is either in the beef mixture itself, melted on top of the cooked patty, or melted into the toasted bun for extra richness.
The popular fast-food chain Culver's is famous for its signature ButterBurger. They butter the toasted buns with butter made in Wisconsin.
For my version, I prefer to mix the butter into the ground beef before cooking.
Equipment
- Thermoworks Meat Thermometer - This is my favorite tool to know exactly when my meats are done.
- Box Grater - Perfect for grating the frozen butter.
- Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls - Just the right size for mixing your beef mixture.
- Smash That Burger Seasoning - This was the burger seasoning that I used in the beef mixture.
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: I used a 90 to 10 blend since we were adding extra fat to the burgers.
- Butter: Frozen butter will get grated into the beef to add rich flavor.
- Favorite Burger Seasoning: I used "Smash That" by Flat Top King.
- Buns: Toasted buns will hold everything together.
- Cheese: This is optional, but melted cheese can take a burger to the next level.
Tim's Tip: Keep the butter as cold as possible while mixing the burgers. Cold butter will melt while cooking, making the burgers extra flavorful and juicy.
How to Make a Butter Burger
1. Preheat Grill: Heat grill to 375°F.
2. Freeze Butter: Freeze the butter and grate it while frozen, making sure to keep the butter cold.
3. Prepare the burgers: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the ground beef, cold butter, and burger seasoning by hand. Form three patties about ⅓ pound each. Season with additional seasoning if desired.
4. Cook burgers: Place burgers on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 135°F (for medium burgers). Add cheese during the last minute of cooking so it melts perfectly.
5. Prepare buns: Brush buns lightly with olive oil and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
6. Build your Burger: Place the patties on the toasted buns and top with your favorite burger toppings.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add Toppings: Crispy bacon, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and pickles all pair well.
- Make a Burger Sauce - My Yum Yum Sauce is a perfect version.
- Cheese Choice - Try Swiss, Pepper Jack, or blue cheese for different flavor profiles.
Tim's Expert Tips
- Grate the butter finely - Use the fine side of a box grater to get the fine butter shavings that will mix evenly throughout the beef. Keep butter frozen for best results.
- Toast the buns - Toasted buns add the perfect crunch and hold up to the juicy burgers.
- Use lean ground beef - I used lean ground beef in this recipe, because I was adding extra fat with the butter.
- Don't overwork the patties- Gently form the burger patties without pressing or handling the meat too much. Overworking the beef can make the burgers a little tough instead of tender.
What to Serve with Butter Burgers
Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftover burgers separately from the bun in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Let the butter burger cool completely and wrap each individual patty tightly in aluminum foil. It is best to freeze the patties plain and not with the bun or condiments. Allow them to thaw before reheating them.
Reheating: Reheat burgers on a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer until warmed through.
FAQs
I like to use a 90 to 10 blend due to the added butter. The original butter burgers used an 80 to 20 blend. So you can do whatever you prefer.
Butter adds richness and moisture to the beef. It creates an incredibly juicy burger that has amazing flavor.
Yes! You can cook them in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for a delicious burger.
More Delicious Burgers
What are the "must-haves" on your family menus? Let me know your family's favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Butter Burger
Equipment
- Grill
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef 90 percent lean
- 4 tablespoon Butter Frozen, Grated
- 1½ tablespoon Favorite Burger Seasoning Smash That Burger Seasoning
- 3 Hamburger Buns
- 3 slices American Cheese Optional
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Heat grill to 375°F
- Freeze Butter: Freeze the butter and grate it while frozen, making sure to keep the butter cold. 4 tablespoon Butter
- Prepare the burgers: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the ground beef, cold shredded butter, and burger seasoning by hand. Form three patties about ⅓ pound each. Season with additional seasoning if desired. 1 lb Ground Beef 1½ tablespoon Favorite Burger Seasoning
- Cook burgers: Place burgers on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 135°F (for medium burgers). Add cheese during the last minute of cooking so it melts perfectly. 3 slices American Cheese
- Prepare buns: Brush buns lightly with olive oil and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. 3 Hamburger Buns
- Build your Burger: Place patties on your toasted buns and top with your favorite burger toppings.
Video
Notes
- Grate the butter finely - Use the fine side of a box grater to get the fine butter shavings that will mix evenly throughout the beef. Keep butter frozen for best results.
- Toast the buns - Toasted buns add the perfect crunch and hold up to the juicy burgers.
- Use lean ground beef - I used lean ground beef in this recipe, because I was adding extra fat with the butter.
- Don't overwork the patties- Gently form the burger patties without pressing or handling the meat too much. Overworking the beef can make the burgers a little tough instead of tender.
Refrigeration: Store leftover burgers separately from the bun in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing: Let the butter burger cool completely and wrap each individual patty tightly in aluminum foil. It is best to freeze the patties plain and not with the bun or condiments. Allow them to thaw before reheating them. Reheating: Reheat burgers on a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer until warmed through.
Nutrition
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