BThere’s something really special about making homemade burgers together as a family. Kids love getting hands-on in the kitchen, and this easy recipe is perfect for teaching them basic cooking skills — from mixing ingredients to shaping their own burger patties.
Making burgers from scratch means you can control what goes in them — no hidden extras, just simple, fresh ingredients full of flavour.
How to Make Simple Beef Burger Patties
Simple beef burgers are one of our kid-friendly recipes. It is easy to make and most kids love a burger and I do find that getting kids involved means even picky eaters might try a little bite. Lots of recipes for beef patties have egg and breadcrumbs, but I wanted to make this an easy recipe for kids to follow and make without the input of parents (as much as possible).
Ingredients
- 500g ground beef (minced beef) – choose lean if you prefer
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs for extra flavour
- Cheese slices (cheddar or your family’s favourite)
- Burger buns – sesame seed, wholemeal, or brioche
- Salad fillings – tomatoes, lettuce, or grilled veggies
Step-by-Step Instructions
Assemble your burgers Toast your burger buns, add lettuce, tomato, or any favourite fillings, then the burger patty. Finish with ketchup, mayo, or your family’s favourite sauce.
Prepare the mixture In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands (kids love this part!) until just combined.
Shape your burger patties Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape into patties. Make a small dip in the middle with your thumb — this helps them cook evenly.
Chill the patties Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape when cooking.
Cook the burgers
Grill: Cook over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through.
Pan: Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan and cook for 4–5 minutes per side.
Air fryer: Cook at 180°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Add the cheese In the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a slice of cheese and let it melt.
Mix the onions with the minced beef in a bowl and season.
Roll into small balls and press into burger shapes.
We have a burger press, so we use that to shape our burgers. We make them and then pop them on greaseproof paper and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. Our press was a Christmas present and I can not find it online. But here are a couple of mini burger presses, that look similar – UK link, US Link
Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals – about 40 mins after lighting). and then brush a side of each burger with oil.
Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don’t move them around or they may stick.
Oil the other side, then turn them over.
Cook for 5 mins more for medium. charred.
Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment. I have one that loves cheese and ketchup and the other that has everything including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo.
Simple Beef Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 small onion
- 500 g good quality low-fat mince
- Seasoning – salt and pepper
- Burger Buns
Instructions
- Chop the onion into small pieces. We find that keeping the root intact helps prevent us from crying. Yes, the onions here are larger than I would chop, but this was all done by my child) and I was not going to take it off him and take over.
- Mix the onions with the minced beef in a bowl and season.
- Roll into small balls and press into burger shapes.
We have a burger press, so we use that to shape our burgers. We make them and then pop them on greaseproof paper and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before cooking them.
- Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals – about 40 mins after lighting). and then brush a side of each burger with oil.
- Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don’t move them around or they may stick.
- Oil the other side, then turn them over.
Cook for 5 mins more for medium.
- Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment. I have one that loves cheese and ketchup and the other that has everything including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo.
Tips for cooking on the BBQ with kids
- Never leave children unsupervised.
- Plan ahead. BBQ’s take some take to heat up, so make sure you allow time for this as children can be pretty impatient!
- Make sure that the kids wash their hands after handling both cooked and uncooked food.
- Start simple. Toasting marshmallows and making s’mores are a fab way to introduce the concept of fire and heat.
- Safety first – all the time.
Burgers For Kids
- Beef Burgers with Hidden Veggies – Healthy Little Foodies
- Carrot & Chickpea Burgers – WWF
- Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers – Feeding Your Toddlers
- Mini Burgers – My Fussy Eater
- Cheddar Cheese, Bean & Spinach Burgers by Sainsbury’s
- Mini Fish Burgers by Lunch Lady
Fun Variations for Kids
- Mini Muffin Tin Burgers: Make smaller patties using a muffin tin — perfect for toddlers or party platters.
- Hidden Veggie Burgers: Add grated carrot, courgette, or finely chopped mushrooms into the mix for picky eaters.
- Veggie Option: Swap beef for mashed beans, chickpeas, or lentils.
- DIY Burger Bar: Let kids layer their own toppings — ideal for family nights.
Storing & Reheating
Store uncooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or freeze for up to a month. Cooked burgers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer until piping hot.
Why Cooking Burgers with Kids Is Brilliant
- Encourages confidence in the kitchen
- Helps them learn about ingredients and healthy choices
- A fun way to connect over a meal the whole family loves
More Family Recipes
- Sausage, Cheese and Bean Melt Recipe
- How to Cook Jacket Potatoes and Ultimate Toppings List
- Kids’ Fruit Smoothie Recipes
- Easy Dinners for Busy Families
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