Smoked Pizza Burger

My kids were going through one of those phases where they wanted pizza every single night, but I was getting tired of ordering delivery or making the same old homemade pizza. Then my youngest asked if we could have burgers instead, and something just clicked, why not combine both? These smoked pizza burgers ended up being even better than I hoped, with all those familiar pizza flavors packed into something you can actually pick up and eat without making a complete mess. The first time I served these at a backyard barbecue, my brother-in-law took one bite and immediately asked if I was planning to open a restaurant. He's usually pretty reserved about compliments, so I knew I had stumbled onto something special. Now whenever we have family gatherings, at least three people ask if I'm making "those amazing pizza burgers" again.

What You'll Need

• Ground beef: I stick with 80/20 because you need that fat for flavor and juiciness
• Good burger seasoning: Something with peppercorn and maybe some herbs works great
• Quality burger buns: Don't cheap out here, get the good brioche ones if you can
• Marinara sauce: Use whatever brand your family likes on pizza
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded melts better than fresh for this application
• Pepperoni slices: The regular deli kind works perfectly
• Honey: This might sound weird but trust me, it ties everything together

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How to Make Them

Form the patties:

Make your ground beef into third-pound patties and press a little indent in the middle so they don't puff up weird when cooking. Season them really well and let them chill in the fridge for at least half an hour.

Set up for smoking:

Get your grill ready for indirect cooking at about 275 degrees. Throw some wood chips on there for that smoky flavor, I like apple or cherry with these.

Smoke the burgers:

Put the patties on the cool side of the grill and let them smoke for about 30-40 minutes until they hit around 135 degrees inside.

Add the pizza stuff:

Once they're almost done, top each burger with marinara sauce, a good handful of mozzarella, and 3-4 pepperoni slices. Let everything melt together for a few minutes.

Finish and rest:

Drizzle a little honey over the top right before pulling them off. Let them rest for about 5 minutes while you toast the buns.

Build your burgers:

Put some marinara on the bottom bun, add the burger, more sauce if you want, and top it off.

I learned the hard way that rushing these doesn't work. The first batch I made, I got impatient and cranked up the heat to finish them faster. They ended up dry and the cheese got all crispy in a bad way. Now I just let them take their time on the smoker and they come out perfect every time.

Serving Suggestions

These are pretty substantial on their own, but some crispy fries or onion rings go great alongside. A simple salad helps cut through all the richness if you want something lighter. Sometimes I'll put out some extra marinara for dipping because there's always someone who wants more sauce.

Ways to Switch It Up

Try different pizza toppings on each burger, mushrooms, olives, or even some Italian sausage crumbles work great. You could use different cheeses too, like provolone or a pizza blend. For the meat lovers in the family, add some cooked bacon along with the pepperoni.

Storage and Leftovers

These are definitely best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, they'll keep in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat them gently in the oven to keep the buns from getting soggy. The flavors actually develop a bit more overnight, so they're still pretty tasty the next day.

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This recipe has become one of those things that makes regular burgers seem kind of boring in comparison. There's something really satisfying about combining two comfort foods that everyone loves into something that's somehow better than either one on its own. Every time I fire up the grill now, someone inevitably asks if I'm making the pizza burgers, and honestly, they're becoming my default weekend dinner because they just make everyone so happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook these burgers without a smoker?

Yes, you can grill them over medium heat or cook in a cast iron pan. You'll miss the smoky flavor, but they'll still be delicious.

→ What other pizza toppings can I use?

Try mushrooms, bell peppers, Italian sausage, or olives. Just make sure to add them when you add the cheese so they heat through.

→ Why do you add honey to the burgers?

The honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory pizza flavors and creates a unique flavor combination you won't find anywhere else.

→ How do I prevent the patties from falling apart?

Don't overwork the meat when forming patties, and chilling them for 30 minutes helps them hold together better during cooking.

→ Can I make smaller slider-sized versions?

Absolutely! Just make smaller patties and reduce the cooking time. They'll cook faster, so watch the internal temperature closely.