The Best Grilled or Smoked Traeger Burgers Recipe

Why Traeger Grills Make the Best Burgers

Cooking burgers on a Traeger Pellet Grill will give you perfect results every time. With a perfect char on the outside and a juicy, flavorful inside, you don't have to worry about poor cooking ever again.

The temperature control of a Traeger ensures the perfect burn for the outside of the burger. With my time guideline and a meat thermometer, you can make a great burger with the perfect internal temperature every time.

Choosing Your Burger

The first thing to consider when grilling or smoking a hamburger is the size of the patty and the kind of ground beef to use. For flavor and moisture, an 80/20 mix is the best option for burgers. 

Thicker patties hold up better at a low temperature because they have enough time to soak up that smoky flavor. Thinner burgers need to cook faster so that they don't dry out.

I am using frozen pre-formed patties that I got from Costco. These burgers have plenty of beefy flavor and are my go-to time-saving option when I am cooking for a crowd.

Smoked Hamburgers

Cooking the hamburgers at a lower temperature will, of course, take more time to cook through. Plan on your smoked patties to take 45-55 minutes to cook through, especially when using a thick patty. If you want, insert a meat probe so you know exactly when they're done cooking.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Set your Traeger temperature to 250˚F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2. Season your burger patties well on both sides.
3. Lay the seasoned burgers on the grill grates and let them go for 25 minutes. 
4. After 25 minutes, flip the burgers. 
5. Cook for an additional 25-30 minutes or until they've reached an internal temperature of 150-155˚F
6. If adding cheese, add 1-2 slices now and cook for 5-10 minutes. You can also warm up the hamburger buns on the top shelf at this point. At this lower temperature, it will take more time for the cheese to melt.
7. Remove from the Traeger and serve immediately.

This is my new favorite way to make a delicious burger.

Grilled Burgers on your Pellet Grill

Not only is it an easy recipe, but with the timing, we can get a perfect burger patty in no time. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Set your Traeger temperature to 375˚F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2. Season your burger patties well on both sides.
3. Lay the seasoned burgers on the grill grates and let them go for 8-9 minutes with the lid closed. 
4. After 8 minutes, flip the burgers. Rotate the burgers around if you are cooking several burgers at once, and be mindful of your hot spots.
5. Cook for an additional 8-9 minutes or until they've reached an internal temperature of 150-155˚F
6. If adding cheese, add 1-2 slices now and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the Traeger and serve immediately.

Tips for a Great Burger

DO pay attention to hot spots in your pellet smoker when cooking at higher temperatures. Rotate the burgers when you flip them so that they all cook evenly. Overcooked burgers are sad burgers.

DO use a meat thermometer to ensure you cook the burgers to YOUR desired temperature. If you want to improve your grilling game, always use a meat thermometer.

DO prepare everything ahead of time including toppings, condiments, and buns so that you are ready as soon as the hot burgers are off the smoker.

DON'T open the lid too much during the cooking process. The lid needs to stay closed to cook the hamburgers and a loss of heat will prolong the cook time.

DON'T overcrowd the grill. Use the full cooking space of your grill from end to end and just make sure to rotate the burgers when you flip them. 

Melting Cheese and Toasting Buns

I love a tasty toasted bun. During the last 5 minutes of the cooking time, add your burger buns to the top shelf of the Traeger. You can add a thin layer of butter on both sides include the top of the bun before toasting to give them extra flavor and moisture.

For the cheese, nothing beats classic cheddar cheese, but you can use whatever cheese you like. Add your slice of cheese to the burgers and cook with the lid closed for 5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted. 

The Must-Have Burger Toppings

The best thing about grilling hamburgers and cheeseburgers is that everyone gets to build their burger exactly how they love it. I like serving all of the toppings on a big board because the presentation is nice, I can assemble it ahead of time, and it's really easy for my guests to serve from.

• Ultra thin-sliced red onions
• Thinly sliced tomatoes
• Butter lettuce or iceberg 
• Sliced dill pickles

Great Condiments for a Good Burger

We are making this epic meal extra special. Everyone you are grilling these delicious juicy burgers for is going to be talking about this meal for a long time. Here are my favorite condiments and extras to serve with our cheeseburgers.

• Onion Bacon Jam- a combination of crispy bacon with caramelized onions have amazing flavor.
• Homemade Jack Daniel's Sauce- a special barbecue sauce that turns up the flavor by combining store-bought BBQ sauce with Jack Daniel's, brown sugar, soy sauce, butter, and spices. 
• Homemade Burger Sauce- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well and serve on the side.

The Best Sides and Fixings for Traeger Burgers

• Smoked Baked Beans
• French Fries
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Potato Salad without eggs or mustard