How to Make a Dry Rub for Hamburgers

A dry rub is a mixture of seasonings applied to meat before cooking to imbue it with flavor. Though most common on steak and chicken, you can use a dry rub on hamburgers to season the meat. Rather than purchasing a dry rub, make one from seasonings in your spice cabinet specifically suited to hamburger meat.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/8 cup coarse sea salt
  • 3 tbsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. minced dried onion
  • 2 tbsp. paprika
  • 1 tbsp. garlic salt
  • Mixing bowl
  • Plastic wrap
  • Airtight container

Instructions

  1. Combine the white sugar, brown sugar, sea salt, pepper, onion, paprika and garlic salt in a mixing bowl. Stir with your fingers to blend the dry rub.

  2. Sprinkle the dry rub over hamburger patties and gently press it into the meat. Cover the patties with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours.

  3. Cook the hamburger patties on a grill for best results.

  4. Discard leftover dry rub if it was contaminated with raw beef at any point. If it was not contaminated, refrigerate leftover dry rub in an airtight plastic container for up to six months.