Pork Free Classic Hamburger Buns

Total time2 hr 13 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time18 min

5.0

(25)

Soft, golden, and just the right amount of pillowy, these homemade hamburger buns are the kind of thing that makes a backyard cookout feel genuinely special. The dough comes together with pantry staples — flour, butter, egg, yeast — so there's no mystery about what's inside, which is a real relief when store-bought options can hide unexpected ingredients. Every component here is straightforward and clean, making it easy to confirm the recipe works for anyone avoiding pork-derived additives like lard or certain dough conditioners that sometimes sneak into commercial buns. The method is approachable even if you've never made bread before: a simple yeast bloom, a good knead, two short rises, and you're done. An egg wash gives each bun that gorgeous deep-golden shine, and a scatter of sesame seeds adds a satisfying crunch that makes them look bakery-worthy. They hold up beautifully to a juicy burger without going soggy, and the texture is tender enough to tear apart and eat on their own. Once you've made a batch from scratch, reaching for the plastic bag at the grocery store is going to feel like a serious downgrade.

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Ingredients

8 servings

For the dough

1 cup warm water (105–110°f / 40–43°c)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg

For the egg wash

1 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl). Stir briefly and let stand for 5–8 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the mixture smells yeasty.
2
Add the flour, salt, softened butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook (or stir with a wooden spoon) until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes.

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