There’s nothing that says ‘summer’ quite like an afternoon cookout: ice cold drinks dripping condensation, family and friends laughing together, and of course, burgers fresh from the grill. Sure, we all love to grab a fast food burger when we’re in a rush, or as a hump-day treat, but when it comes down to it, flame-grilled, homemade burgers are simply superior. Best of all, you don’t have to be a master chef to make them! All it takes to get grilling amazing-tasting burgers is a bit of flavor. 

Here are three simple seasonings that you probably already have in your pantry.

Salt & Pepper

These classics are pantry staples for a reason. They can improve the flavor of nearly anything all on their own. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to your ground beef and mix it in before you form the patties for simple but satisfying flavor. 

This type of seasoning works well if you’re looking for an all-around people pleaser, as it complements all sorts of toppings and flavor profiles. 

Italian Seasoning

This spice blend typically contains oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme, sometimes blended with other dry spices as well. Italian seasoning earned its place as a pantry staple due to its ease of use, so you probably have a pre-made blend already in your cabinet. If you feel like making your own, though, that’s simple to do, as well. Start with this recipe (originally from Gimme Some Oven) as a base, and feel free to adjust the ratios to suit your tastes.

Easy Italian Seasoning

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage

Work the spices through the meat to ensure even flavor, and then pop them on the grill! Minimal effort, great flavor. This seasoning blend pairs well with classic toppings like tomatoes and lettuce, but if you’re really going for a gourmet vibe, consider offering caramelized onions and sliced mozzarella along with the standard toppings. 

Garlic

Ah, garlic. Bane of vampires, blessing of backyard cookouts. If you have fresh cloves in your kitchen, you can mince them and blend them into the patties for a sharp, crisp garlic flavor. Garlic powder, another pantry staple, does the job as well, though the flavor may be more subtle. But be careful not to add too much! The flavor can be overpowering. 

Garlic is one of those seasonings that can stand alone, but also makes an excellent compliment to other seasonings, including the ones in this article. Its bold flavor works well with hearty toppings like cheddar and bacon.

We’d love to know your pantry staples for burger seasoning in the comments below. Now get grilling!