This BBQ ranch cheeseburger recipe mixes the sauce right into the beef for the juiciest, most flavorful burger you will make all summer. Ready in 20 minutes.
Best Beef Burger
There is a burger I have been making for years that people always ask about. It is not fancy. There are no specialty ingredients, no complicated technique, and nothing you need to hunt down at a specialty store. Just a really good burger with a sauce that makes it taste as if you put in way more effort than you actually did.
The secret is mixing BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Into the meat. And then again, as the topping sauce.
I know it sounds simple. That is because it is. And it is so good!
Why This BBQ Ranch Cheeseburger Works
Most burgers are seasoned with just salt and pepper, which is fine. But working the BBQ sauce and ranch right into the beef before you form the patties does something really nice. It keeps the meat moist, adds a little sweetness from the BBQ, and gives you that cool, herby ranch flavor through every bite. Special sauce!
Then you make the same two-ingredient sauce to put on top, and the whole burger tastes as if it came from somewhere that charges fifteen dollars for it.
What You Need
Burgers:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15)
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Special sauce:
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
For serving:
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
- Sliced tomato
- Green leaf lettuce
Related recipes to try:
- Homemade Garlic Pickles
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
- No-Bake Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
How to Make the BBQ Ranch Cheeseburger
Make the sauce first. Stir together the 1/3 cup BBQ sauce and 2 tablespoons ranch dressing in a small bowl. Set it aside. This takes about 30 seconds, and it is one of those things you will want to put on everything.
Mix the burgers. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix until everything is just combined. Do not overwork the meat or the burgers will be tough.
Form the patties. Scoop out a heaping 1/4 cup of the beef mixture and roll it gently into a ball. Flatten it with your palm into a patty about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indent in the center with your thumb. This keeps the burger from puffing up in the middle on the grill. Repeat with the remaining beef.
Grill. Preheat your grill to medium-high. Cook patties 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium, or until they reach your preferred doneness. In the last minute of cooking, lay a slice of cheddar on each patty and close the lid to melt.
Build the burger. Toast your buns on the grill for about 30 seconds. Spread the special sauce on both sides of the bun. Add lettuce, the burger, tomato, and any other toppings you love.
A Few Tips For Burger Success
- You can make the patties ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before grilling. This actually helps them hold together better.
- The special sauce ratio is a starting point. If you love ranch, add a little more. If you want more of the smoky BBQ flavor to come through, pull back on the ranch. Make it yours.
- This sauce is also really good on a grilled chicken sandwich if you want to use it beyond burger night.
What to Serve With BBQ Ranch Cheeseburgers
The Tools I Use
- A good set of grilling tools makes flipping burgers so much easier. I have had the same grill spatula set for years, and it is worth every penny.
- For mixing the burgers, a large mixing bowl with a pour spout is my go-to.
- If you are grilling for a crowd, a burger press makes uniform patties fast.
The Ultimate BBQ Ranch Cheeseburger
Ingredients
For the burgers:
- 1 pound lean ground beef 85/15
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
For the special sauce:
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
For serving:
- 4 burger buns toasted
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- Sliced tomato
- Green leaf lettuce
Instructions
Make the sauce first.
- Stir together the 1/3 cup BBQ sauce and 2 tablespoons ranch dressing in a small bowl. Set it aside. This takes about 30 seconds and it is one of those things you will want to put on everything.
Mix the burgers.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix until everything is just combined. Do not overwork the meat or the burgers will be tough.
Form the patties.
- Scoop out a heaping 1/4 cup of the beef mixture and roll it gently into a ball. Flatten it with your palm into a patty about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indent in the center with your thumb. This keeps the burger from puffing up in the middle on the grill. Repeat with remaining beef.
Grill.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high. Cook patties 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium, or until they reach your preferred doneness. In the last minute of cooking, lay a slice of cheddar on each patty and close the lid to melt.
Build the burger.
- Toast your buns on the grill for about 30 seconds. Spread the special sauce on both sides of the bun. Add lettuce, the burger, tomato, and any other toppings you love.
Nutrition
Original Post: 7/21/14
Updated with new information, photos, and tips: 5/12/26
I wish this was my dinner tonight! #client
Oh, these came out so good…that sauce! Yum!!
These pics are so fab I may be able to convince my non mammal eater to try one!
THAT says A LOT! 😉
They were really good. The Special Sauce…that was good even on the French fries. 😉