We Figured Out The 57 Best Burger Recipes Ever So You Can Get To Grilling (2024)

Get those tongs ready—it's grilling season.

By Mackenzie Filson and Camille Lowder
We Figured Out The 57 Best Burger Recipes Ever So You Can Get To Grilling (1)

There is no better way to fuel up for all the beach days, poolside BBQs, and potlucks on your summer calendars than with a nice, juicy burger. And we're not just talking a regular ol' cheeseburger, either. Ha! Far from it. There's no plain Jane burgers on the menu here at Delish; from our veggie burger even meat-eaters will crave (seriously) or something more outside the box, like a shrimp katsu burger or a lamb burger, we've got 54 next-level recipes for everyone at your cookout.

No matter how you cook up your burgers, start with a simple—but flavor-packed—burger seasoning to begin your path to grilling greatness. Plenty of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper (like, way more than you think you need) is our best secret to creating crispy-edged patties for our smash burgers, but there are infinite paths to take from there. Our personal favorite involves sprinkling Old Bay (and maybe even Old Bay hot sauce) into the patty blend (especially if you go the crab cake burger route), but truly the sky's the limit.

Speaking of, there's really no end to all the creative ways you can top a burger. From fast food sauce copycats like on our Shake Shack burgers or our Big Macs, to fun fruits and veggies like the caramelized onions on our bison burger or the pineapple on our Maui burgers, to the dinner-inspired toppings on our chicken Parm burgers or our pizza burgers, there's truly something here for everyone.

No grill? No problem! Baking a burger in the oven is actually ideal for when you're working with ground turkey or chicken; the oven has a more evenly consistent temperature that ensures a fully cooked—and tender and juicy!—patty. Our oven-baked turkey burgers are proof that turkey burgers can be anything but dry and boring. Ever thought of trying an air fryer cheeseburger? If the air fryer is your jam, it might convince you to never go back to grilling.

With all these burgers on the table, don't stop there. Load up on our favorite double-fried French fries, salt 'n' pepper sweet potato fries, and our favorite BBQ sides and salads too.

1

Classic Cheeseburger

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There are about a million ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you're cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and pepper before you grill up.

Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.

2

Chicken Parm Burgers

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Chicken Parm's not just for a fancy dinner anymore. Instead, simmer ground chicken patties (or beef, no judgement!) in marinara for a chicken Parm burger that's saucy and cheesy—and SO much easier to pull off than the Italian classic.

sGet the Chicken Parm Burgers recipe.

3

Copycat Shake Shack Burger

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If you've ever eaten at Shake Shack and wondered just what makes their burgers so good, we've got the intel for you: It's the sauce! Specifically, how the pickles are incorporated into it. (Spoiler: They're blended.) Now you know, go forth and put that ish on everything.

Get the Copycat Shake Shack Burger recipe.

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4

Turkey Burgers

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We love our turkey burger for one simple reason: We let it be. We don't try to cover up the fact that it's turkey. Instead, we embrace it. Turkey burgers tend to be drier, so we add an egg to ours to help it hold together and give it moisture. Pro tip: Use 94 percent lean ground turkey so the patties easily stay together.

Get the Turkey Burger recipe.

5

Chicken Burgers

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These chicken patties are seasoned with smoked paprika and topped with crunchy, bright coleslaw to really give beef burgers a run for their money. Finish them with creamy avocado, spicy red onion, and cheddar and jalapeño before sandwiching all of it between buttery brioche buns for the ultimate bite.

Get the Chicken Burgers recipe.

6

Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers

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The cult favorite from the NYC-based chain is the rock star of veggie burgers. Thanks to breaded portobellos and the delicious shake sauce, we bet you won't even miss the meat.

Get the Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers recipe.

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7

Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

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When we went on the quest to make the world's best burger, we really wish we would have tested out our air fryer version then. With the quick cook time, these stay perfectly juicy and basically beg for a melty slice of cheese. Load it up with your favorite toppings and feel like the burger master you are, without all the smoke in your face.

Get the Air Fryer Cheeseburgers recipe.

8

Pizza Burgers

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These were born when we just couldn't decide between a slice of pizza or a burger and never wanted to have to make the decision again. Like BLT sushi or pizza chicken, the combo just works.

Get the Pizza Burgers recipe.

9

Smash Burgers

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If you're unfamiliar, the draw of a smash burger is its SUPER thin patties. Because they are so slim, it's impossible for the ground beef to dry out, but you still get those deliciously crispy, lacy edges. Win win!

Get the Smash Burgers recipe.

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10

Quesadilla Burgers

Meet our new favorite way we cope with indecision, because no longer do you have to choose between a quesadilla or a burger. Turns out, a chili- and jalapeño-spiced patty is *the* perfect filling for crispy fried tortillas.

Get the Quesadilla Burgers recipe.

11

Falafel Burgers

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The tzatziki-inspired sauce from our falafel-inspired burgers takes these from good to exceptional. Our best tip to get these right? Roast those chickpeas to draw out moisture so these stay together easily.

Get the Falafel Burgers recipe.

12

Greek-Inspired Salmon Burgers

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Okay, so pureeing a salmon fillet with egg isn’t the sexiest process, but it’s key in helping these patties hold together. You'll be so glad you did when you're eating this light, flavorful salmon burger sandwiched in fluffy pita.

Get the Greek-Inspired Salmon Burgers recipe.

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13

slu*tty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger

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If you think that vegan burgers can't rival meat-based ones, think again. Atlanta-based chain slu*tty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger puts the argument to rest with this loaded burger. It's topped with all the fixings, including caramelized red onion, vegan bacon, melty vegan cheese, and a smoky chipotle-lime mayonnaise. Woah!

Get the slu*tty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger recipe.

14

Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburgers

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There are a ton of famous fast food burgers, but the Bacon Western Cheeseburger holds a special place in our hearts (and not just because it’s really fun to say). Top with tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings, and you're on your way to burger heaven.

Get the Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburgers recipe.

15

Shrimp Katsu Burgers

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Crispy and tender, fried fish sandwiches have nothing on these crispy shrimp katsu burgers. The patty is made with chopped shrimp and is coated in panko bread crumbs that give the burger a deliciously crunchy coating. Serve them with French fries and follow with an ice-cold milkshake.

Get the Shrimp Katsu Burgers recipe.

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16

Lamb Burgers

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The feta yogurt sauce on our Greek(-ish) lamb burgers is EVERYTHING. Trust us, you're going to want to slather it on both sides of the bun. If you end up with extra, it also makes the perfect dip for raw veggies or pita chips.

Get the Lamb Burgers recipe.

17

Oven-Baked Burgers

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Controversial opinion: Burgers taste better at home than in a restaurant! Though you might see some recipes out there that call for pressing meat into a square pan for oven-made burgers, the key to getting a good crust in the oven lies is in preheating your cast-iron skillet so that once the meat hits the hot pan it mimics the griddle at your favorite fast-food joint.

Get the Oven-Baked Burgers recipe.

18

Baked Turkey Burgers

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Baking these turkey burgers removes the guesswork of whether or not they're fully cooked. You can top these however you like, but we love adding some richness to the lean turkey burger with some avocado and onion.

Get the Baked Turkey Burgers recipe.

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19

Lemon-Dill Salmon Burgers

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A great burger is so much more than just beef, and these 5-star salmon burgers are here to prove it. The secret? Canned salmon!

Get the Lemon-Dill Salmon Burgers recipe.

20

Crab Cake Burgers

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There's nothing to be crabby about with these crab cake-inspired burgers, especially when it means a creamy, tangy Old Bay sauce. You can even double-down on that savory Old Bay flavor by adding a healthy dab of Old Bay hot sauce or sprinkling the seasoning on your fries.

Get the Crab Cake Burgers recipe.

We Figured Out The 57 Best Burger Recipes Ever So You Can Get To Grilling (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to juicy hamburgers? ›

For beef and lamb burgers, choose mince that has at least an 80% meat to 20% fat ratio. The fat is essential for juiciness and flavour. If you can't find mince with the right ratio, add finely chopped streaky bacon to your patty mixture.

Should you salt burgers before grilling? ›

Not salted until just before cooking = loose, tender meat. Salted before forming the patties = resilient, sausage-like texture.

Should I freeze burger patties before grilling? ›

Let your burgers chill before cooking

Give them at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to chill, but a few hours or an overnight rest is ideal. Then you can brown them well and still get a juicy pink center. If your burgers are less than 3/4-inch thick, consider freezing them for 30 minutes before cooking.

How to make the best burger possible? ›

10 Tips for Better Burgers | The Food Lab
  1. Use Freshly Ground Beef.
  2. Keep Everything Really Cold.
  3. Don't Futz With Your Meat.
  4. Do Not Salt Beef Until Patties Are Formed.
  5. Form Matters.
  6. Season Liberally.
  7. Flip Your Burger as Often as You Like.
  8. Use a Thermometer.

Should you put egg in hamburgers? ›

Egg yolk acts as a binder and adds flavor

After forming it into a patty, he explains that the egg actually helps bind the meat together, and adds an incredibly rich flavor to the burger patty. As a good rule of thumb, it's best to add one yolk per pound of ground beef.

What ground beef makes the best burgers? ›

The best ground beef to buy for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck – 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is ground from the shoulder and has that ideal lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 (i.e. not too lean) for a super flavorful, juicy burger. Ground round comes from the back of the cow, near the tail, upper leg, and rump.

What do you sprinkle on burgers before grilling? ›

Beef burgers need nothing more than a sprinkle of salt, preferably kosher salt, to cook up juicy and delicious. Some black pepper is also welcome, and there's no reason not to branch out with any number of hamburger-friendly seasonings: herbs, spices, onions and more.

Why do you put mustard on burgers before grilling? ›

Adding the yellow mustard will add flavor to the patty as well as helping it to caramelize on the flipped side of the patty since it won't cook on this side as long. Top the burgers with slices of cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes.

What to season burgers with before grilling? ›

Season Generously:Sprinkle both sides of the patties with salt and pepper before cooking. Use a coarse salt, like kosher salt, for better flavor distribution. Add Flavorful Spices:Experiment with various seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or chili powder.

Should burgers be room temp before grilling? ›

Before grilling burgers, it's not required to bring the meat to room temperature. The meat should be refrigerated before grilling, starting the cooking process while the meat is cold. The cold temperatures keep the fat of the meat intact, maintaining the burger's juicy texture during the cooking process.

Why put ice on burger when grilling? ›

The ice cube will prevent the burgers from overcooking and add a bit of extra moisture to the beef — something that's especially helpful if you're grilling rather large patties. What you're gonna do is take a ball of ground beef, gently press a little ice cube in the center, and form the beef around it so it's sealed.

What to season burgers with? ›

Dried Oregano: Adds an earthy and herbaceous note to the seasoning. Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ground meat. Garlic Powder: Provides a rich garlic flavor to the seasoning. Ground Black Pepper: Adds a mildly spicy kick to the burgers.

What is Gordon Ramsay's best burger meat blend? ›

Gordon Ramsay hamburger recipe blend of brisket, chuck sirloin, and short rib ground beef with our exclusive chef's secret recipe, featuring a perfect meat blend and expert grill techniques.

How to make burgers like a pro? ›

The burgers will shrink slightly as they cook, so you want the raw patties to skew a little larger than the buns onto which they'll eventually land. Make a small dimple in the center of the patty—this indentation will prevent your burger from puffing up like a balloon, ensuring an even and picturesque patty.

What can I add to my burgers to keep them moist? ›

The workaround? Add the fat you seek directly to the meat. Butter is readily available, affordable, and adds moisture and fat to beef — making for a tender, juicy burger.

How do you cook hamburgers and keep them moist? ›

A little extra moisture helps even well-done burgers stay juicy and tender, even if they're made from 90% lean ground beef. Mix in 1/4-1/2 cup water per pound of ground beef before forming your patties to reap the tenderizing benefit of H20. Some chefs tuck an ice cube into the middle of the patty for the same effect.

How do you make juicy burgers that don't fall apart? ›

Add 1 egg yolk per pound of hamburger. It won't add appreciably to the fat content and will bind the meat beautifully. The other thing you can do is add canned, drained, crushed black beans or chickpeas to the hamburger. The starch from the beans will bind the meat together and add an interesting taste.

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