13 Burger Recipes That Beat Any Drive Thru (Your Grill Will Thank You)
A great burger is one of life’s simple pleasures, and the best ones are made at home. These burger recipes cover everything from crispy smash burgers to juicy turkey and veggie options, and every slide includes easy steps. Fire up the grill or heat a skillet and get ready. Do not forget dessert from our dessert galleries..
Burger Recipes Start With the Classic Double Cheeseburger
There is a reason the double cheeseburger is an American icon. Two juicy patties, melted cheese, crisp lettuce and a tangy special sauce piled on a soft toasted bun is pure happiness. Making it at home means fresher ingredients, bigger flavor and no waiting in line. This is the burger recipes classic that every backyard cook should master..
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20), 8 slices American cheese, 4 brioche buns, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup and 1 tablespoon relish.
How to make it: Divide the beef into eight thin patties and season with salt and pepper. Cook on a hot grill or skillet for 2 to 3 minutes per side and add cheese at the end. Mix mayo, ketchup and relish for the sauce. Toast the buns and stack two patties with toppings and sauce.
Oklahoma Onion Smash Burger
The onion smash burger comes from Oklahoma diners during the Great Depression, when cooks stretched beef with thinly sliced onions. The onions get pressed into the patty and caramelize into crispy, sweet strands. It is one of the most flavorful burger recipes you will ever try, and it costs very little to make.
You will need: 1 pound ground beef, 1 large yellow onion sliced paper thin, 4 slices American cheese, 4 soft buns, pickles, mustard and salt.
How to make it: Divide the beef into four balls. Place on a very hot griddle, pile a handful of onions on top and smash flat with a spatula. Cook 2 minutes, flip so the onions are underneath, add cheese and cook 1 minute. Serve on buns with pickles and mustard.
Bacon Smash Burger
Smash burgers get their magic from a ripping hot pan and a hard press, which creates a dark, crispy crust on every patty. Add crispy bacon and melty cheese and you have a burger that rivals any restaurant. It cooks in minutes, so have everything ready before you start.
You will need: 1 pound ground beef, 8 slices bacon, 4 slices cheddar, 4 potato buns, burger sauce and pickles.
How to make it: Cook the bacon until crisp. Heat a cast iron skillet until smoking. Place beef balls in the pan and smash them thin. Season, cook 2 minutes until deeply browned, flip and add cheese. Stack on toasted buns with bacon, sauce and pickles.
Classic Backyard Grilled Burger
This is the burger that tastes like summer holidays and family cookouts. Thick, juicy patties grilled over high heat get topped with fresh lettuce, tomato and onion. The secret is not to press the patties while they cook, so all the juices stay inside. Simple, honest and always delicious.
You will need: 2 pounds ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 6 buns, lettuce, tomato, red onion and your favorite condiments.
How to make it: Gently form the beef into six patties and press a small dimple in the center of each. Season well. Grill over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Rest for 3 minutes, then serve on toasted buns with fresh toppings.
Cheese Stuffed Juicy Lucy
The Juicy Lucy is a Minneapolis legend: a burger with melted cheese sealed inside the patty. The first bite releases a river of hot, gooey cheese. Let it rest a minute before biting so you do not burn your mouth. It is one of the most fun burger recipes to make for friends.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 4 slices American or cheddar cheese, 4 buns, pickles, onions and salt and pepper.
How to make it: Divide the beef into eight thin patties. Fold a slice of cheese into a small square and place on four patties. Top with the remaining patties and pinch the edges tightly to seal. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side and rest 2 minutes before serving.
Towering Double Cheddar Burger
When one patty is not enough, build it tall. Two thick cheddar topped patties, crisp lettuce, tomato and pickles make a burger that needs two hands. Use a toothpick to hold it together for the photo. It is the ultimate weekend treat for serious burger lovers.
You will need: 2 pounds ground beef, 8 slices sharp cheddar, 4 large sesame buns, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion and burger sauce.
How to make it: Form eight patties and season well. Grill or pan sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, adding cheese for the last minute. Toast the buns. Build with sauce, lettuce, a patty, tomato, the second patty, pickles and onion.
Smoky BBQ Burger With Crispy Onions
This burger brings barbecue joint flavor to your backyard. A juicy patty gets brushed with smoky barbecue sauce, topped with melted cheddar and crowned with crispy onions. Every bite is sweet, smoky and crunchy. Serve with coleslaw on the side for the full barbecue experience.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 4 slices cheddar, 1 cup crispy fried onions, 4 buns and pickles.
How to make it: Form four patties and season. Grill for 4 minutes, flip and brush with barbecue sauce. Add cheese and cook until melted. Toast the buns, add more sauce, the patty, a pile of crispy onions and pickles.
Steakhouse Burger
A steakhouse burger treats ground beef like a fine steak. Use a coarse grind, season generously and cook it over high heat for a dark crust. Top with red onion, peppery greens and a creamy horseradish sauce. It is a grown up burger with bold flavor.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, 1 teaspoon cracked pepper, 4 brioche buns, arugula, red onion, 1/3 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon horseradish.
How to make it: Form four thick patties and season heavily. Sear in a hot cast iron pan for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Mix sour cream and horseradish. Toast the buns and layer the sauce, arugula, patty and red onion.
Diner Style Burger and Fries
Some nights call for a classic diner meal. A juicy burger with lettuce, tomato and cheese next to a pile of golden fries is pure nostalgia. Cook the fries first and keep them warm in the oven while you make the burgers. It is the kind of dinner that makes everyone smile.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 4 slices cheese, 4 buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, 2 pounds frozen fries and ketchup.
How to make it: Bake the fries according to the package. Form four patties, season and cook in a hot skillet for 4 minutes per side, adding cheese at the end. Toast the buns and add lettuce, tomato and onion. Serve with the hot fries.
Crispy Chicken Burger
A crispy chicken burger is crunchy, juicy and every bit as satisfying as beef. Buttermilk keeps the chicken tender while a seasoned flour coating fries up golden. Top with lettuce, pickles and spicy mayo for a sandwich that rivals your favorite fast food spot.
You will need: 4 chicken thighs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, oil for frying, 4 buns and spicy mayo.
How to make it: Soak the chicken in buttermilk for one hour. Mix the flour with spices and dredge the chicken. Fry at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce, pickles and spicy mayo.
Juicy Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers have a reputation for being dry, but this recipe fixes that. Grated onion, garlic and a little Worcestershire keep the patties moist and full of flavor. Serve them on a whole wheat bun with a fresh side salad. They are a lighter choice among burger recipes without giving up any comfort.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, 1/2 grated onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 4 whole wheat buns and salad greens.
How to make it: Mix the turkey, onion, garlic, Worcestershire and breadcrumbs gently. Form four patties. Cook in an oiled skillet over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side until they reach 165°F. Serve on toasted buns with greens.
Loaded Black Bean Veggie Burger
A homemade black bean burger is hearty, smoky and packed with plant protein. Mashed beans, oats and spices hold together into a patty that crisps up beautifully in a pan. Pile it high with avocado, tomato and greens for a colorful, satisfying meal that even meat lovers enjoy.
You will need: 2 cans black beans, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 cup corn, 4 buns, avocado and tomato.
How to make it: Drain and pat the beans dry, then mash most of them. Stir in oats, egg, spices and corn. Form four patties and chill for 20 minutes. Pan fry in oil for 4 to 5 minutes per side until crisp. Serve loaded with toppings.
The Secret to Perfect Burger Patties
The secret behind the best burger recipes is not a fancy ingredient. It is technique. Use beef with about 20 percent fat, keep it cold, handle it gently and get your pan or griddle very hot. Season only right before cooking, and never press out the juices once the patties are cooking.
You will need: Ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio, coarse salt, black pepper, a cast iron pan or griddle and a sturdy metal spatula.
How to make it: Divide cold beef into equal portions without packing it tight. Heat the griddle until it smokes. Add the beef, season and leave it alone for 2 to 3 minutes to build a crust. Flip once, add cheese and rest briefly before serving.
