Frequently Asked Questions
Salt and pepper make a perfectly good burger, but a dedicated burger rub layers in garlic, onion, and a touch of other spices that build a savory crust and deeper flavor. If you love a clean, beef-forward burger, salt and pepper is honest and hard to beat. If you want that diner or steakhouse character, a rub gets you there without extra effort.
For thick grilled patties, season the outside right before cooking rather than mixing salt into the meat early, since salt worked into raw ground beef too soon can make the texture dense and sausage-like. For smash burgers, season the loose ball or the patty as it hits the hot surface. Seasoning the surface is what builds the crust you want.
Smash burgers do best with a fine grind that bonds to the hot metal and forms that lacy crust in seconds. Thicker grilled burgers can handle a medium grind that survives the flips and builds texture. If you make both styles, a fine to medium all-purpose burger rub covers you, but matching the grind to the method sharpens the results.
Yes, and both are popular. A steakhouse black-pepper-and-garlic rub gives burgers a bold, beefy edge, and a coffee rub adds a rich, slightly smoky depth that plays great with beef. Just watch the salt and sugar levels so nothing overpowers a thin patty. Experimenting with a steak or specialty rub is an easy way to change up burger night.
A light, even coat on both sides is the target, since a burger is thin and takes on seasoning fast. Too heavy a hand, especially with salt, can bury the beef. Start moderate, taste the result, and adjust next time. For lean grinds you can lean a little more into salt, while richer, fattier blends carry pepper and spice well.
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Texas-Born. BBQ Bred.
With over 35 years of smoking experience, we started DDR BBQ Supply with a simple goal: to help others cook better barbecue. We've spent decades learning what works and what doesn't, and we apply that knowledge to every product we carry. From high-performance grills and smokers to carefully selected rubs, sauces, and tools, everything we offer is something we believe in and use ourselves. We don’t believe in cutting corners or selling gear we wouldn’t rely on during our own backyard cooks and when we compete in BBQ competitions.















