Bone Marrow Burger Recipe

This bone marrow burger recipe blends rich, smoked marrow directly into ground beef for an ultra-juicy, flavorful patty with deep umami notes. Smashed on a hot griddle for crispy edges and topped with melty cheese and your favorite fixings, it’s a next-level burger experience.

Why This Recipe Works

Bone Marrow Goodness: The bone marrow in this bone marrow burger recipe infuses the beef with a buttery, umami quality that regular smash burgers just can’t match! It melts beautifully into the meat during cooking, creating extra tender and flavorful burgers. Don’t knock it until you try it! It is seriously worth it.

Smash Burgers at Home: Personally, I love a good smash burger. And these bone marrow burgers are the perfect smash burgers to make at home! You just need a metal spatula or burger press to make your own smash burgers that rival your favorite restaurant.

Maximum Flavor: The combination of caramelized onions cooked directly into the patty, along with bone marrow’s richness and the tangy burger sauce, creates a perfect balance of flavors. This bone marrow burger recipe really takes the burger eating experience up a notch!

Supplies Needed

• Cast iron skillet or flat-top griddle
• Sturdy metal spatula
• Burger press (optional but helpful)
• Parchment paper sheets
• Heavy-bottomed pan (for rendering bone marrow)

Ingredients

• Beef Tallow: I like to use beef tallow here instead of cooking oil for added flavor. It complements the beef and bone marrow perfectly!
• Yellow Onion: The onion will be smashed into the burgers like a classic smash burger!
• Ground Beef: 80% lean/20% fat provides the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness.
• Smoked Bone Marrow: Adds an incredible depth of flavor! Make sure to make it ahead of time and allow it to come to room temperature.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
• Garlic Powder: For an added depth of flavor.
• Sliced American Cheese: Sliced American cheese works well here since it melts beautifully.
• Burger Buns: Use your favorite burger buns here! Potato rolls or brioche buns stand up well to the rich patties.
• Dill Pickles: To serve on the burgers, if desired.
• Burger Sauce: For the sauce, simply combine mayo, ketchup and yellow mustard!

Bone Marrow Preparation Tips

For more detailed instructions on how to prepare bone marrow, follow my smoked bone marrow recipe!

24 Hours in Advance:

1. Prep: Remove the bone marrow bones from the packaging. Trim off any excess fat or meat on the bones.
2. Cover in Water: Place the bones into a large container and cover them with water, and add the salt.
3. Wait 24 Hours: Keep the bones covered in the fridge for 24 hours. You can drain the water and reset it if desired 1-2 times. This helps remove blood and impurities from the marrow before smoking and is recommended.

Smoking Instructions:

1. Preheat: Preheat the smoker to 275°F and set it for indirect heat.
2. Rinse: Remove the bone marrow bones from the water and rinse them well. Pat them dry with paper towels and place them onto a foil-lined pan or cast iron skillet. Some of the marrow does reduce down, and this will catch the excess so you can use it for bone marrow butter or pour it onto steaks, etc.
3. Season: Season the bone marrow with SPG rub or just some salt and pepper if desired.
4. Smoke: Place the pan with the bone marrow onto the smoker grill grates and smoke for 40-60 minutes or until the bone marrow is set and has a translucent and jelly-like appearance.
5. Remove & Serve: Remove from the smoker and garnish with fresh herbs like parsley and chives or add a chimichurri over the top. Serve with toasted bread, pita, or crackers, and enjoy!

Making Bone Marrow Burgers

1. Prep: Prep the burger sauce, slice the onion into thin pieces, and prep any other additional toppings before starting. 
2. Mix the Burger Meat: In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, bone marrow, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Try to distribute evenly without overworking the meat. Divide into 4 equal portions and form into even-sized balls. Chill in the fridge while prepping the griddle. 
3. Preheat: Preheat your griddle or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of beef tallow or use a neutral oil (vegetable or avocado).
4. Cook & Smash: Place each burger ball onto the hot surface, add a small amount of the thinly sliced onions over the top, and immediately smash it down with a spatula or burger press until about ¼ inch thick. 
5. Flip: Season the tops generously with a little more salt and pepper if desired. Cook for about 2 minutes, then flip. Add cheese on top and cook an additional 1–2 minutes until melted and the onions have caramelized. 
6. Toast the Buns: While the burgers finish, toast your buns cut-side down on the griddle with a bit of butter or tallow until golden brown. If you want more flavor, you can also add bone marrow butter to these to amp up the dish.
7. Assemble & Serve: Add your toppings and sauce to the bottom bun, add your burger patty, and then the top bun. Serve and enjoy.

Expert Tips

• Keep your meat refrigerated until the moment it hits the griddle. Cold meat holds together better during the smash and renders fat more effectively.
• Don’t overwork the mixture! When combining the ground beef and bone marrow, use a light touch. Overworking will result in dense, tough burgers.
• Never press after the flip. Once you’ve flipped the burger, resist the urge to press down again. This will only squeeze out precious juices.
• Use parchment paper if needed. If you find your spatula or press sticks to the burger patties when pressing them down, use a small sheet of parchment paper in between to make it easier to lift.
• Don’t skip toasting the buns! A properly toasted bun with a light coating of beef tallow provides textural contrast and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Don’t try to flip too early. Wait until you can see the edges browning and the patty releases easily from the surface.

What To Serve With It

These bone marrow smash burgers can be served with all your favorite burger sides! You can’t go wrong with some crispy French fries or onion rings. If you are looking for something refreshing for warmer days, try serving it with traditional deli potato salad, corn on the cob, or grilled esquites, and smoked baked beans. It would also go great with a hearty baked smoked potato, for something more filling. If you want something lighter, try serving it with a grilled broccoli salad or Tuscan bean salad! Serve some keto burger sauce on the side, for dipping, too!

More Recipes To Try

• Smashburger Patty Melt
• Grilled Greek Chicken Burger
• Grilled Brat Burgers
• Smoked Burgers Recipe
• Big Mac Sliders