Insanely Good Basic Smoked Hamburgers

Recipe by East Oak

Smoking hamburgers might seem like extra effort, but with a little planning and patience, the rich, smoky flavor is well worth the wait.

Flavor & Texture

Smoked flavor	Maturity	Humidity	Taste	Smell
Mild/Light Flavor	Well Done	Slightly Dry	Seasoning permeates the patties well Juicy and firm patties with a satisfying bite	Strong smoky aroma complemented by the rich, grilled beef flavor

8 portions of ground beef (5 oz / ~140 g each) 1/3 cup premium extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
8 burger buns
Lettuce, bell peppers, red cabbage, tomatoes
Ketchup, mayonnaise
Cheese slices

Prep time	Cooking time	Total time
15 min	1 hour 20 min	1 hour 40 min（ including searing）

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

Divide 1 kg (about 2.2 lbs) of ground beef into 8 portions, each weighing about 5 oz (140 g). Form into patties and season with salt and black pepper.
Soak walnut wood chips in water for 15 - 20 minutes before use.
Wash and slice lettuce, bell peppers, red cabbage, and tomatoes.

2. Cooking Instructions:

Preheat: Fill the smoker box with soaked walnut wood chips. Add half a container of water to the water tray to maintain moisture. Preheat the smoker to 225°F (107°C) for 15 minutes.
Cooking: Place the beef patties into the preheated smoker. Set the temperature to 225°F (107°C) and cook for 1 hour 20 minutes.
Check Status: After 30 minutes, check the patties. Add burger buns and cheese slices during the final stage of cooking, and replenish wood chips if needed.

3. Searing:

After smoking, remove the patties from the smoker and transfer them to a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes until the exterior becomes crispy and browned.

4. Assemble the Burgers:

*USDA safe minimum for ground meats - 160 °F (71.1 °C)

Serves: 8

Amount Per Serving: