Smoked Burgers

Smoked Hamburgers are such an easy recipe to prepare on your smoker! These Traeger Burgers are juicy and full of flavor from being slow cooked on your pellet grill. After smoking burgers, you might not ever cook a burger another way again.

Hambugers hot off the grill are amazing, but dare I say Smoked Burgers are even better? Smoking them at a low temperature makes them so juicy and full of smoky flavor.

I love that this recipe is made with ingredients you have on hand and is super simple, but has an amazing flavor that will have your family and guests raving about them. You’ll never go back to boring old burgers again after you make these juicy burgers!

Smoking burgers is my favorite way to make them now and I know it’s going to be yours too! We love to make a big pot of smoked brisket chili when we make these burgers too. So much hearty food all served together!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe!

• Best part is it requires minimal ingredients. You can prepare your own burgers with pantry staples!
• Prep time is about 5 minutes so they are quick enough to serve any night of the week! That’s right, and no babysitting the grill.
• Prep your burger patties ahead of time, throw them on the smoker and let them be while you prep the rest of the food.

ingredients for smoked hamburgers

• Ground beef – Make sure you have a higher fat content to make burgers with. The smoke and heat can dry out your burger so look for a fat content of 15% or higher.
• Egg – Acts as a binder to hold the burger together.
• Salt and Pepper – Gives it flavor, or buy our beef seasoning and use that!

Topping Ideas

You can totally make each burger it’s very own with a topping bar. Here are a few of our favorite Traeger Burger toppings.

• Bacon – Smoke it with the burgers to make it over the top!
• Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite classic BBQ sauce or try homemade.
• Cheese – Grab a thick cut slice of cheese and melt it onto the burgers. Cheddar cheese is the go to for us here but there are so many great options. Pepper jack is another great one if you want a little heat.
• Buns – Brioche buns are great because they’ve got a little sweetness or a pretzel bun if you want to make it a bit fancy. Remember to toast the burger buns before serving.
• Classic condiments – Ketchup, mustard, relish and mayonnaise are staples in our house!
• Lettuce – Grab your favorite variety, we love a simple iceberg.
• Tomatoes – The best topping during tomato season. Season a thick, juicy slice with some salt and your burger will be the best ever.
• Onions – Slice your favorite type of onion – red, white or yellow.
• Pickles – Some people won’t even eat a burger without a pickle on it!

How to smoke hamburgers

1. Combine the beef, egg, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Form four patties.
2. Place the patties on the preheated smoker for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

how to serve smoked burgers

Some of my favorite recipes to serve with this meal are Grilled Caesar Salad for a delicious charred flavor that everyone enjoys and a quick and easy Instant Pot Potato Salad. We LOVE this potato salad!

An easy side dish to cook right beside your burgers on the smoker are Seasoned Potatoes.

Round out your meal with Smoked Crumb Apple Pie so delicious!

How long to smoke burgers at 325?

It will take about 30 minutes cooking time to smoke the burgers at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you cook on the smoke setting on a Traeger grill?

Yes, the smoke setting is for cooking and adding that delicious smoke flavor to your food as it is smoking!

At what temperature are burgers done?

The burgers will be done when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit according to the USDA, but if you’d rather cook it different there is a chart below to help you out.

Do NOT cook to color. The burgers will still be pink when they are done. This is because smoking causes a chemical reaction to the meat that turns it slightly pink.

Doneness	Temperature
Rare	125 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium Rare	135 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium	145 degrees Fahrenheit
Medium Well	155 degrees Fahrenheit
Well Done	160 degrees Fahrenheit

can a smoked burger still be pink?

Yes, it can! Smoking causes a chemical reaction between nitric oxide gas and the hamburger meat which leaves the meat a pink color. This is why you should always cook meat to temperature.

What Wood Chip Should I use to Smoke Burgers?

A stronger wood chip is recommended for smoking burgers because they aren’t smoked on the Traeger for very long. Great options are hickory, oak or mesquite wood chips.

Should I flip burgers when Smoking them?

It’s actually not necessary to flip your burgers when cooking them on a Traeger. You can if you’d like, but only flip once so the juice doesn’t drain out. You want to keep the flipping to a minimum so you have a juicy burger at the end.

can you smoke burgers from frozen?

If you made extra patties and froze them for another time, you can smoke them from frozen. I would smoke them over a longer period and a lower temperature to ensure even cooking.

Thawing the patties overnight in the fridge is a great option to ensure that they do cook evenly.

how to store leftover smoked hamburgers

Fridge: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container up to 4 days. I recommend storing the burgers separate from buns and any other toppings.

Freezer: If you want to freeze your smoked burger patties for another time, wrap them individually in plastic wrap before storing them in a freezer safe airtight container. Thaw overnight before reheating.

how to reheat smoked burgers

Reheating smoked burgers is easy on the stovetop or in the microwave. Be sure to add a little water to the pan or plate to add some moisture and to avoid drying out your burger. Another easy way to reheat a smoked burger is in the air fryer.

This smoked burger recipe is bound to become a household favorite all season long! Whether you are feeding a crowd or just the household, these will be your go-to burger.

More great burgers

• Try out our Cheesy Bacon Burger with Fried Egg recipe for a combination of savory bacon, a perfectly cooked egg, and a juicy beef patty for an indulgent and mouthwatering burger.
• If you love both tacos and burgers, our Taco Burger blends the flavors of seasoned ground beef and fresh toppings on a toasted bun into one delicious handheld meal.
• For the ultimate burger experience, the Best Hamburger Recipe features a perfectly seasoned beef patty, grilled to perfection and topped with all the classic fixings for an unbeatable taste.