To make a good burger (be it beef, fish… or, why not, even a vegetable burger), it’s important to choose the right ingredients and pay attention to the temperature and cooking times to achieve the right texture. But let’s not forget that herbs and spices, used to flavour the mixture, are also important. Let’s see which ones are best suited.

How do we choose the right mix of herbs and spices to flavour our burgers?… The decision depends largely on the kind of end result we want to achieve; salt and ground black pepper are certainly essential on our list, but if we want a more distinctive flavour, we’ll need to find the right combinations.

The quintessential burger, in the collective imagination, is the American one; the USA is literally regarded as ‘the home of the burger’. If we want to get closer to that flavour, a pinch of onion and garlic powder must also be included in our burger mixture.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a more intense, aromatic and smoky flavour, you’ll need paprika, chilli, and it might be worth experimenting with a classic "barbecue rub".

Do you prefer a gourmet burger? … a Mediterranean-style one, or perhaps with an ethnic twist? In the first case, go for aromatic herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano and marjoram; in the second, masala, ginger and cumin could offer some pleasant surprises for your palate.

Which spices to use for burgers, depending on the meat

Chicken and turkey burgers

The delicate flavour of white meat from chicken and turkey pairs perfectly with both classic Mediterranean herbs and spices typical of Asian cuisine.

Beef burgers

For beef burgers, the most popular choice is a balanced mix of herbs, pepper, salt and chilli. This option is also suitable for pork.

Spices for fish burgers

For fish burgers, the ideal choice is aromatic herbs with a fresh or citrusy flavour, such as parsley, mint, chives and dill, as well as mustard seeds, ginger, fennel, oregano and savory.

Spices for vegan and vegetarian burgers

In this case, we recommend using pepper and aromatic herbs if you want a burger with a more classic flavour; if, on the other hand, you fancy experimenting, the solution for you is a mix of spices typical of Asian cuisine, such as cumin, turmeric, coriander or masala, like curry.