American · Dinner

Herb Burgers

Lean beef burgers with parsley, thyme, garlic and grated onion, cooked in a pan and served in small buns with lettuce, red onion and mustard. Four servings in 22 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 22 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
Jump to Recipe Method

Don't Make These Mistakes

Do not press on the patties while they cook; it squeezes out the juices.

Chill the shaped patties for 10 minutes if the kitchen is warm.

Keep the buns small; they are the largest source of sodium on the plate.

Making Herb Burgers

Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.

  1. Mix the beef, grated onion, parsley, thyme, garlic and pepper lightly with your hands until just combined.

  2. Shape into 4 patties about 11 cm across and press a shallow dimple into the middle of each.

  3. Heat a grill pan or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 6 minutes a side, until browned and the centres reach 71°C / 160°F. Rest for 2 minutes.

  4. Toast the buns for 30 seconds, spread with the mustard and fill with the lettuce, patties and red onion.

Why the Method Works

Can a burger taste seasoned without salt? Yes. Fresh herbs matter most: parsley, thyme, garlic and grated onion go into the mixture, and they carry the flavour that salt usually brings. The result tastes of beef and herbs. Grated onion keeps the lean beef juicy.

Use beef that is 90 per cent lean. Anything leaner is dry, and anything fattier shrinks. Handle the mince lightly, since packing it tight makes a dense, bouncy patty. Shape four patties slightly wider than the buns, as they shrink as they cook. Make a shallow dimple in each. Chill the patties for 10 minutes if the kitchen is warm.

Cook the burgers on a hot grill pan or in a frying pan, 6 minutes a side. Small buns, red onion and lettuce complete the plate, and mustard replaces ketchup, which is sweet and salty. Rest the patties for 2 minutes. They hold their juices better. A thin slice of cucumber adds a cool crunch.

After You've Cooked It

Cooked patties keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Raw patties can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Swaps and Variations

  • An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.

Good With

  • A cucumber salad
  • Shredded cabbage with lime
  • Fresh pineapple

Common Questions About Herb Burgers

How long does Herb Burgers take to make?

About 22 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 12 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Herb Burgers?

Do not press on the patties while they cook; it squeezes out the juices. Chill the shaped patties for 10 minutes if the kitchen is warm. Keep the buns small; they are the largest source of sodium on the plate.

What should I serve with Herb Burgers?

A cucumber salad; Shredded cabbage with lime; Fresh pineapple.

Is Herb Burgers suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is kidney-friendly and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Herb Burgers?

About 341 kcal per serving, with 27 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate and 13 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

The Numbers per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

341Calories
27gProtein
29gCarbs
13gFat
2gFibre
5gSugar
370mgSodium
520mgPotassium
270mgPhosphorus

Reader Reviews

Cooked this? Leave a review

Your rating out of 5

Reviews are stored in your browser only — nothing is sent to a server.

Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.