Description
The combination of beef, crispy buns, and gooey cheese is hard to resist, but we've added a secret ingredient that has taken this classic burger to the next level: smoke! That's right! We're talking juicy, flavorful smoked meat cooked over an open flame and smothered with cheese. Basically, the kind of smoked bbq burger you'll dream about for weeks after having it.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 burger buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Start by forming the beef patties – take balls of ground meat to make patties and ensure each burger weighs 8 oz (½ pounds).
- Shape your patties, so each is ½ inch thick – a hamburger bun is usually a bit smaller than this, but don't worry, the meat patties will shrink while smoking.
- Season each hamburger patty with salt and pepper.
- Put patties in the fridge and leave them there for a minimum of 15 minutes (and up to a few hours).
- Preheat your Traeger or pellet grill to 225 degrees F and add your preferred wood pellets. For this type of meat, Hickory is recommended.
- Place the burgers on the grill grates and close the lid for about an hour. Don't open it during this time, as you'll need at least one hour of continuous smoking after placing the patties on the grill.
- Right before your patties reach the ideal doneness put the buns on the grill grates and place the cheddar cheese on the smoking patties while they're still on the grill.
For a medium smoked cheeseburger, you'll want to add the cheese and buns when an internal temperature of 135°F is reached. - Smoke patties for 15 to 20 minutes – until the cheese melts on top and the buns are toasty.
- Ideally, you'll take your meat patties off the smoker once they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (for medium).
- Take the toasted buns and patties off the grill grates.
- Build your perfect cheeseburger with your favorite condiments, and serve it with your favorite side dishes!
Notes
To avoid drying out your burger, don’t press the patties with a spatula while smoking.
Pick a ground chuck containing 80 percent lean meat and 20 percent fat content so they remain juicy while smoking.
Feel free to add other seasonings to your patty to enhance the flavor: some ideas include garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
Nutrition
- Calories: 766