This Korean Burger recipe is packed with a punchy mix of garlic, ginger, and a hint of soy sauce, all nestled in a sesame seed bun. Perfect for anyone looking for something new and flavorful, this burger is a great choice for your next BBQ or family dinner.

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These Korean-style BBQ burgers deliver bold flavor with minimal effort. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey BBQ come together in a juicy, savory bite that’s easy to grill and easy to customize. Whether you go classic or add your own twist—like kimchi or spicy mayo—you’re in full control of how you serve it up.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

Ingredients for a recipe including ground beef, chili garlic sauce, honey BBQ sauce, soy sauce, ginger powder, black pepper, mayonnaise, minced garlic, hamburger buns, and scallions. — Korean Burgers Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Korean Burgers with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Making a Korean burger is straightforward and fun. Here’s how to get those juicy, flavor-packed patties ready:

Prepare the Patties

Start by lining a medium-sized tray with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, minced garlic, ginger powder, soy sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Get in there with your hands to mix it all up.

Ground meat with yellow mustard powder, minced garlic, black pepper, and soy sauce in a metal mixing bowl. — Mix the beef, garlic, ginger powder, soy sauce, and black pepper in a large bowl.

Shape the mixture into three patties, each about 1 inch thick, and set them on your prepared tray. Press a small dent in the center of each patty with the back of a spoon—this helps them cook evenly without puffing up too much in the middle.

Cook the Patties

Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your patties. Sear each side for about 2-4 minutes until they’re beautifully browned and crispy on the edges.

Replace the parchment paper on your tray, then transfer the cooked patties back onto the tray and brush them with honey BBQ sauce on both sides.

Three uncooked Korean burger patties arranged vertically on white parchment paper. — Shape the mixture into three patties.

Three cooked Korean burger patties stacked vertically on parchment paper. — Sear each side for 2-3 minutes.

Three glazed desserts on parchment paper, evenly spaced in a vertical line, reminiscent of the precision in crafting a Korean burger. — Once cooked, brush them with honey BBQ sauce on both sides.

Prepare the Spread

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with chili garlic sauce and a sprinkle of chopped scallions. Spread this mixture on both the top and bottom of your sesame seed hamburger buns.

A bowl of mayonnaise with chopped green onions and chili sauce, inspired by the bold flavors of a Korean burger, sits elegantly on a white marble surface. — Mix mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and scallions in a small bowl.

A white bowl filled with orange dip containing green and red flecks, reminiscent of the vibrant flavors found in a Korean burger, set on a light marble surface. — Mix thoroughly until well combined.

Assemble the Burgers

Place each burger patty on the bottom bun. Sprinkle the remaining scallions on top of the patties, and then cap them with the top buns.

Six bun halves spread with a creamy, orange mixture containing green and red bits, reminiscent of a Korean burger fusion, are arranged on a dark baking tray. — Spread the mixture on both top and bottom of the buns.

Six burger buns on a tray, three with a spread of savory mayonnaise sauce and three with tangy Korean barbecue sauce. — Place the burger patties on the bottom buns.

Six burger buns on a baking tray; half spread with a tangy orange sauce, while the other half is topped with chopped green onions and a rich, savory dark sauce, perfect for assembling your own delicious Korean burger. — Add the scallions on top and cap with the top buns.

Serve your Korean burgers warm and enjoy!

Two cheeseburgers with chopped green onions on sesame buns on a white plate. A small bowl of sesame seeds and a glass of iced drink are in the background. — Serve the burgers warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

To make your Korean burgers even better, keep these handy tips in mind:

Spice it up: If you like your food with a bit more kick, add some red pepper flakes to the meat mix.
Alternative meats: Ground chicken or turkey can be used for a lighter version. Just make sure to cook the chicken patties thoroughly.
Alternative cooking methods: You can also grill these burgers to add that smoky flavor, bake them, or pop them in the air fryer.
Buns: While sesame seed buns add a nice touch, feel free to experiment with other types like brioche, whole wheat, or even lettuce wraps for a different twist.
Perfect sear: Make sure your pan is hot before adding the patties. This helps create a delicious crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
Sauces: If honey bbq isn’t your style, try using Korean BBQ sauce or even a bit of gochujang for an authentic flavor boost.
Topping ideas: Beyond the usual lettuce and tomato, consider adding kimchi or a quick cucumber salad for extra crunch and zing.
How can I make the burgers less spicy? Simply reduce or omit the chili garlic sauce in the mayo spread.
Make ahead: You can prepare the patties a day ahead and keep them in the fridge. Cook them up fresh when you’re ready to eat for the best flavor.

A hamburger with a sesame seed bun, meat patty, diced green onions, and sauce, held on a spatula. — Korean Burgers. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftovers

Storing your leftover Korean burgers correctly ensures they stay tasty for the next meal. Here’s the best way to keep them:

Cool: Allow the patties to cool to room temperature before you stash them away.
Refrigerate: Place the patties in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll keep well for 2-3 days.
Separate Components: If possible, store the buns, sauces, and patties separately. This way, you can reheat the patties without making the buns mushy.
Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the patties on a pan over medium heat or in the microwave. Toast the buns and assemble your burger fresh for the best taste.

What to Serve with Korean Burgers

Here are some top picks to complement the bold flavors of your burger:

Sweet Potato Fries

Swap out traditional fries for sweet potato fries. They add a sweet contrast to the savory burger and go great with a sprinkle of sea salt and a side of mayo mixed with a touch of gochujang.

Asian Slaw

Toss shredded cabbage, carrots, and a bit of cilantro with a sesame oil and vinegar dressing to make a simple Asian Slaw. This light, crunchy salad adds freshness and balances the richness of the burger.

Kimchi

No Korean meal is complete without a bit of kimchi. Its spicy, tangy flavor makes it an ideal condiment that adds a burst of flavor to every bite.

A plate with two sesame seed buns filled with a beef patty, green onions, and sauce. Sliced green onions, a wooden spoon, a small dish of sesame seeds, and a brown cloth are nearby. — Korean Burgers. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

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Korean Burgers

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: korean burger

Servings:

Calories: 882kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
3 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon ginger powder
2 tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup honey bbq sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
1 cup scallions chopped
3 sesame seed hamburger buns

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Line a medium tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, ginger powder, soy sauce, and black pepper. Mix well using your hands.
1 pound ground beef, 3 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Shape the mixture into 3 patties, about 1 inch thick. Press a small dent in the center of each patty with a spoon to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (optional). Cook the patties for 2-4 minutes per side until they develop a nice sear.
Replace the parchment paper on the tray with a fresh sheet and transfer the cooked patties back to the tray. Brush both sides of the burgers with honey BBQ sauce.
½ cup honey bbq sauce
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped scallions.
½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons chili garlic sauce, 1 cup scallions
Spread the sauce on both the top and bottom buns. Place a burger patty on each bottom bun, then divide the remaining scallions on top of the burgers.
3 sesame seed hamburger buns
Add the top buns, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Spice it up: If you like your food with a bit more kick, add some red pepper flakes to the meat mix.

Alternative meats: Ground chicken or turkey can be used for a lighter version. Just make sure to cook the chicken patties thoroughly.

Alternative cooking methods: You can also grill these burgers to add that smoky flavor, bake them, or pop them in the air fryer.

Buns: While sesame seed buns add a nice touch, feel free to experiment with other types like brioche, whole wheat, or even lettuce wraps for a different twist.

Perfect sear: Make sure your pan is hot before adding the patties. This helps create a delicious crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.

Sauces: If honey bbq isn’t your style, try using Korean BBQ sauce or even a bit of gochujang for an authentic flavor boost.

Topping ideas: Beyond the usual lettuce and tomato, consider adding kimchi or a quick cucumber salad for extra crunch and zing.

How can I make the burgers less spicy? Simply reduce or omit the chili garlic sauce in the mayo spread.

Make ahead: You can prepare the patties a day ahead and keep them in the fridge. Cook them up fresh when you’re ready to eat for the best flavor.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Cool: Allow the patties to cool to room temperature before you stash them away.

Refrigerate: Place the patties in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll keep well for 2-3 days.

Separate Components: If possible, store the buns, sauces, and patties separately. This way, you can reheat the patties without making the buns mushy.

Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the patties on a pan over medium heat or in the microwave. Toast the buns and assemble your burger fresh for the best taste.

Nutrition

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About the Author

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Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Korean Burgers

Ingredients You’ll Need