Our Best Burger Recipes for All of Your Summer Cookouts
Looking back on your favorite summer memories, a few things probably come to mind—a splash in the pool, a lazy day at the beach, a family adventure, or the first bite of a juicy, char-grilled burger. Burgers are synonymous with grilling, and we're all about grilling as much as possible when the weather permits. Hot dogs can feel boring quick, and barbecue chicken is something you can make in your oven, but there are so many different ways to prepare a burger. Since they're one of the most straightforward recipes in a home cook's arsenal, you'll want to make these burgers all year long.
If you think about it, there's just about a million different ways to top a hamburger—even the most outlandish pairings can work for some. If you're looking for the tried and true flavor profiles, classic combos like grilled peppers and onions or pickles, lettuce, and tomato, are top of mind. When creating a beef burger, it's important to find a cut of beef that's leaner: try finding ground chuck that's 80 percent lean, and 20 percent fat. You'll enjoy a juicy profile without too much grease—and if texture is important to you, you'll want to skip pre-made or frozen patties altogether. Your patties should be about four inches wide, which may seem a tad large, until you remember that burgers will shrink significantly when cooked.
Don't let your creativity stop at beef, either—some of our favorite burgers feature tender patties of lamb, chicken, turkey, and pork. Our Greek-inspired lamb burgers, which are topped with a serious punch of parsley and bathed in yogurt-feta sauce, are a perfect example of how alternative meats can inspire a fresh take on burger night. And don't forget plant-based recipes, too: Hearty veggies like sweet potatoes and black beans make for amazing burgers that sing with flavor after being tossed on the grill.
We're sharing all of our favorite burgers, from vegetarian options to savory beef classics, that will keep you coming back for more all season long.
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Grilled Lamb Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce
A generous dash of fresh parsely adds new layers of flavor to each component of these Greek-inspired lamb burgers: the patties, the yogurt-feta sauce, and the chopped tomato salad.
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Greek Turkey Burgers
Ground turkey patties flavored with parsley, Worcestershire, and Dijon are steamed, then seared for these Mediterranean-inspired pita burgers.
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California-Style Veggie Burgers
Bulgur plays two integral roles in these vegetarian burgers: it's used to bolster the shiitake mushroom-and-pinto bean patties, and to create a crunchy crust on the outside.
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Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger
The key to mastering these diner-style patties is not overworking the meat. For extra tang, add a thin spread of mayo to the buns before toasting them on the grill.
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Aged-Cheddar-and-Swiss Cheeseburgers
One of Martha's favorites! Aged cheeses, fresh horseradish, and smoky bacon take ordinary beef burgers to new heights. Serve with bread-and-butter pickles, onion rings—and cold beer.
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Steak-House Burger
From the drive thru lane to the steak house! This lavish burger calls for grinding your own meat—we used a mix of short ribs and sirloin.
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Green-Chile Chicken Burgers
Lean, mean, and green! These chicken burgers get added oomph from canned green chiles and fresh cilantro. Serve on sour cream- and Dijon-slathered buns with more cilantro, grilled tomatoes, and lettuce.
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Green-Pea Burgers with Harissa Mayo
Fresh peas are the star of these bright-green patties. Chickpeas, onion, parsley, egg, and breadcrumbs play important supporting roles.
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Sausage-and-Mushroom Burgers with Broccoli Rabe
Here's a hearty dinner that everyone will love—umami-rich mushroom-and-sausage patties, melted provolone, and spicy broccoli rabe are sandwiched in toasted ciabatta rolls.
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Curry-Spiced Veggie Burgers
The curry-lime yogurt sauce that accompanies these naked Indian-inspired patties is so good that you won't miss the bun one bit. The patties are made with chickpeas, rice, shredded carrot, and yogurt.
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Thin Burger
Beefy burgers don't have to weigh you down. Opt for our griddled slender patties topped with American cheese. Bonus: they freeze beautifully.
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Mini Cheeseburgers
Sometimes a slider is all you need! These diminutive burgers have all the traditional fixings and are the perfect excuse to serve diner food at your next party.
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Gingery Salmon Burgers
Burger buns do double duty here: they're turned into breadcrumbs to bind the salmon patties, and they're used to serve the cooked burgers.
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Chimichurri Burger
Homemade chimichurri—a garlicky, herb-packed sauce typically used for grilled meats in Argentina—sets this beefy burger apart.
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Bean-and-Veggie Sliders
Inspired by Vietnamese banh mi, our mini meatless sliders team beans and rice with grated carrots, ginger, and spices. Garnish with sliced mango, fresh cilantro, and homemade chili mayonnaise.
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Cheeseburger Potato
We like to think of this dish as a deconstructed cheeseburger that swaps the buns for baked potatoes. For more innovative baked potato ideas, check out these recipes.
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Turkey Sliders
Kids will love making and eating these mini turkey burgers. Let them form the patties, wash and tear the lettuce, and lay on the toppings. Trust us, there's no way they won't eat their own creation!
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Pimiento-Cheese Burgers
Treat your guests to beef burgers topped with the "caviar of the South," also known as the holy trinity of pimientos, cheddar, and mayonnaise.
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Red-Bean Burgers with Avocado and Lime
You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these red bean-and-carrot burgers flavored with chili powder and oregano. Give the dish a Southwestern feel by serving with avocado, red onion, lettuce, sour cream, and lime.
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Turkey-Meatloaf Burgers
Like two comfort foods rolled into one dish! Store-bought red-pepper relish and chili sauce are the MVP ingredients in these ground turkey patties. Switch things up by topping with kale instead of the usual lettuce.
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Double-Portobello Burgers with Roasted Tomatoes
Ketchup goes au naturel here with fresh roasted plum tomatoes standing in for the usual bottled condiment. Broiled portobellos get covered in melted sharp provolone cheese and are sandwiched between toasted whole-wheat buns.
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Easy Veggie Burgers
Absolutely scrumptious, these meatless patties are made with bulgur, pinto beans, Swiss cheese, carrots, and scallions. Try them because they're a total winner.
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Lamb Burgers
Rich and savory, these lamb patties are spiced with cumin and coriander and topped with grilled eggplant and tangy goat cheese.
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Smoky Salmon Burgers with Grainy Mustard
Proof that burgers can be elegant! Fresh dill and crisp watercress are the perfect foils for these tender salmon patties.
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Pork Burgers with Peppers
We've transformed the classic Italian pairing of sausage and peppers into these delectable burgers and added some fresh mozzarella for good measure.
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Charred-Eggplant and Beef Burgers
Grilled eggplant is the secret ingredient behind these better-for-you burgers. It's mixed with lean ground chuck, giving each patty an extra fiber boost.
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Chicken-Cutlet Burgers
Quick-cooking chicken cutlets mean these burgers are ready in a flash. Team them with grilled zucchini and onions, juicy tomatoes, and peppery arugula.
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Tuna Burgers
Grinding your tuna is essential to shaping these burgers; otherwise they'll fall apart while cooking. Flavor them with ginger and lemon, and serve with a crisp Asian-inspired slaw for balance.
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Turkey-Club Burger
Yes, you can use English muffins as hamburger buns! They're the ideal vehicles for serving these turkey patties enriched with ground bacon and topped with Swiss cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and lettuce.
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Quinoa-Feta Burgers
Mashed kidney beans are combined with quinoa, feta, and parsley to make these delicious protein-packed veggie burgers. Gussy them up with grainy mustard, tender grilled onions, and pleasantly bitter radicchio.
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Bistro Sliders with Pickled Onions
They may be small, but these mini beef burgers pack a punch, thanks to the quick-pickled red onions and garlicky mayonnaise.
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Lemongrass Pork Burgers
Thai chiles and fish sauce, together with lemongrass, give these lean pork burgers a Southeast Asian flavor. Enjoy on crisp Boston lettuce leaves instead of buns and serve with cucumber wedges to refresh your palate between bites.