How long it takes: 20 minutes Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl Servings: 4 burgers My California burger is a traditional ground beef burger, topped with Monterey Jack, crispy bacon, and all the fixings. A zippy combination of Dijon and mayo adds a flavor punch but it’s the avocado that really makes a California burger song-worthy. (Love avocado? Try my black bean and avocado salad and avocado chicken salad, too!)
California Burgers
The perfectly seasoned patty. No matter what you put on top of your burger, it all starts with the patty, and this is my go-to recipe. It’s packed with flavor thanks to the addition of garlic and onion powders and Worcestershire sauce. That avocado, though. Avocado adds a smoothness and creaminess to the burger that you just can’t get with any other ingredient. A surprisingly quick and easy dinner. From start to finish, these California burgers take just 20 minutes to make.
Ingredient Notes
I’ll run through the recipe basics to get you started. Refer to the recipe card below for specifics, such as measurements, cooking instructions, and nutrition information.
Lean Ground Beef: I tested the recipe with both 85% lean and 92% lean ground beef and the results were similar so either will work well. (For more meat options, keep reading.) Worcestershire Sauce: An umami flavor bomb that’s always a welcome addition to a burger. Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Burger Buns: Brioche buns are an excellent choice for California burgers, as are onion buns. Toast the buns to take the burger to the next level. Monterey Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack has a California vibe but feel free to choose another cheese you like on your burgers. Toppings: Top the California burger with lettuce, tomato slices, sliced avocado, and red onion. Bacon is optional. Secret Sauce: Okay, it’s not a secret—it’s mayo and Dijon.
How To Make California Burgers
Make the patties. Mix the ground beef with the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Shape the mixture into 4 patties slightly larger than the buns (they’ll shrink during cooking!). I usually press my thumb in the center of the burger to make a shallow indentation. It helps the burgers cook more evenly. Cook the burgers. Place the burgers on a preheated grill or grill pan. Flip them when the first side is firm and browned. If you try to flip them too quickly, the burgers may fall apart. Cook until the burgers reach the desired level of doneness. You can also cook the burgers under the broiler, in an air fryer, or in a skillet (the recipe card has instructions). Add the cheese during the last few minutes of cooking time. Prep the toppings. While the burgers are cooking, slice the avocado, tomatoes, and onion. Toast the buns, and combine the mayonnaise and mustard for the sauce. Assemble. Spread the sauce onto the bottoms of the buns. Add lettuce, then tomato and bacon, followed by the patty. Top your California burgers with avocado and onion, then the top half of the bun.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Use a thermometer. The best way to know when your burgers are done is to use an instant-read thermometer. It takes the guess work out of cooking burgers! When the temperature hits 150ºF, you can remove the patties from the grill. The temperature will continue to rise to a safe 160ºF as the patties rest. Don’t overmix the ground beef. You want to make sure all the seasonings are incorporated into the ground beef, but don’t overdo it—working the meat too much will make it tough. Swap ground turkey for the beef. For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey in place of the ground beef; I tested it and it worked well. I recommend 85/15 to keep the burgers juicy. Try another cooking method. If you don’t have a grill or you get rained out, you can air fry, broil, or pan fry the patties for your California burgers.
What to Serve With California Burgers
Fries: You can go classic with these air fryer French fries but air fryer sweet potato fries are fantastic too! Salad: Balance your burger with a tasty salad. Classic creamy coleslaw or potato salad are always popular choices. Mandarin orange salad is a favorite of ours. Check out my complete collection of salad recipes. Veggies: Grilled vegetables are a delicious side dish for these burgers. I love easy grilled Brussels sprouts and grilled zucchini.
Make Ahead Ideas
You can make the California burger patties in advance and refrigerate them uncooked for up to a day, or freeze them for up to 3 months. To refrigerate: Form the patties and place them on a plate or tray. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to cook. To freeze: Store uncooked patties in a large freezer bag or airtight container with waxed paper between the layers. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking according to the recipe instructions.
Storing Leftover Burgers
Refrigerate/Freeze: Store leftover California burger patties in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Toppings should be refrigerated separately and the buns should be stored at room temperature to keep them from drying out. Reheat: Thaw frozen patties in the refrigerator, then warm in an air fryer, skillet, or the microwave. Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at Meal Plan #79 or Meal Plan #83. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. We add a new meal plan weekly. Quick-Start Guide!
