The 57 Best Burger Recipes of All Time
Not to fault a classic, but burgers can be so much more than ground beef, sliced cheese and ketchup. So this summer, we're urging you to branch out for your next barbecue to make it extra memorable. Here are 57 of the best burger recipes that go beyond the standard patty with unexpected proteins, creative toppings and seasonal twists. Bookmark the recipes now and savor them all summer year long.
80 BBQ Side Dishes That Are Better Than the Main Event
1. Bacon Jalapeño Smashburgers
Mark Weinberg/I Dream of Dinner
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
These sammies are made with ground chicken patties, but don't let that deter you. They're still rich and flavorful, thanks to being cooked in bacon fat. Use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh for a boost of acidity.
2. Black Bean Burgers with Guacamole and Griddled Onions
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Canned black beans, mayonnaise and easy store-bought guac make these veggie burgers moist, flavorful and far from the hockey puck-like patties of your past. Might we suggest adding summer corn kernels to the mix?
3. Fried Mozzarella and Caramelized Peach Caprese Burgers
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Sweet, fresh and meaty, all in one Insta-worthy package. Summer peaches (or nectarines) adorned with deep char marks are a stellar topper for this cookout classic. Serve them on brioche or pretzel buns for a fancier feel.
4. Cauliflower Sweet Potato Burgers
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Packed with starchy spuds and riced cauliflower, they're as nutritious as they are tender. Smashed avocado and homemade spicy mayo take kid-friendly veggie burgers over the top.
5. Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Behold: a lighter patty that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Dried herbs and fresh garlic infuse the turkey with tons of flavor, but the tangy, cucumber-yogurt sauce is really the star.
6. Vegan Lentil-Mushroom Burgers
VEGAN IN THE HOUSE
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, make ahead
You won't believe how downright juicy these burgers are—despite being totally meatless and plant-based. (Thanks, lentils and Portobellos.) A touch of nutritional yeast gives the shrooms a cheese-like flavor without any dairy.
7. Black Bean Burgers
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
They're finished with generous drizzles of ketchup and mustard, but you can sub chipotle mayo, mango guacamole or cotija cheese if you'd prefer. Mold the patties ahead and freeze them for your next Meatless Monday.
8. Chickpea Burgers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, high protein
Garbanzo beans aren’t just for hummus, you know. These burgers are proof of the legume's versatility, so much so that even staunch meat eaters won't object. Top them with tomato, arugula and a generous slather of mayo.
9. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, high protein, crowd-pleaser
In case you're serving barbecue, chops, fish or chicken for a main—but don't want your guests to miss out on beef. They're adorably tiny, so go ahead, have four.
10. The Ultimate ‘Sweet Laurel’ Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
Claire Thomas/Sweet Laurel Savory
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
Picky eaters will be elated to find fresh fries on their plates (and ideally a side of ketchup for dipping). Any protein goes here, so take your pick of beef, bison, turkey, lamb or chicken, or a combination of a few.
11. Donna Hay’s Best Veggie Burgers
Con Poulos/Week Light
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Canned beans, carrots and beets are bound with crunchy peanut butter and chia seeds to create an unexpectedly delicious veggie burger. Nix or substitute the cheddar cheese with a plant-based alternative to make the sammy vegan.
12. Salmon Burgers
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein
Way more fun than a fillet, no? The make-ahead coleslaw really drives the picnic vibe home. Ask your supermarket's fishmonger to grind the salmon for you or pulse it in a food processor yourself instead.
13. Paleo Ramen Burgers
Feed Me Phoebe
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, Paleo-friendly, beginner-friendly, gluten free
This gluten-free spin on the viral recipe (which stars "buns" made from pan-fried nests of ramen) uses grated parsnips in place of noodles. The recipe calls for using dark meat turkey for the patties for maximum flavor, but a range of proteins could work here.
14. Teriyaki Piña Colada Burgers
Oh Sweet Basil
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
You’ll want to put the coconut-and-pineapple sauce on everything, from grilled salmon to sticky tofu bites. You can wash them down with typical lemonade, but we urge you to blitz a batch of real-deal piña coladas instead.
15. Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
Minimalist Baker
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
The tender-on-the-inside, firm-on-the-outside, meatless patties are made with sweet potato mash, black beans and grains (either brown rice or quinoa). Walnut or pecan meal holds them together instead of traditional breadcrumbs and egg.
16. Caprese Turkey Burgers with Pesto, Fresh Mozzarella and Heirloom Tomato
PLAYS WELL WITH BUTTER
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
Our favorite salad makes for a damn good burger topping. Instead of just topping the burgers with basil leaves, basil pesto is used on the burgers instead, providing both moisture and herbiness to every bite.
17. Blackened Salmon Burgers with Herbed Cream Cheese
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
Don't let its appearance fool you: These handhelds are surprisingly easy to pull off. The herbed cream cheese calls for fresh basil, dill and parsley for freshness, while the sweet-and-smoky seasoning turns the salmon into something spectacular. (P.S.: It'd also taste great on steak.)
18. Burger Bowl
Feasting At Home
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, low-carb, high protein
Eating keto, low-carb or gluten-free? Think outside the bun with this loaded burger bowl, which boasts everything from grilled summer veggies (like bell pepper, tomato and zucchini) to fresh greens. Drizzle on whatever dressing or vinaigrette you'd like.
19. Thai Turkey Burgers
Feasting At Home
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Where do we start, the flavor-packed turkey patty (shoutout to fresh ginger, garlic and lemongrass), the crunchy cabbage-carrot slaw or the sriracha mayo? Pickled veggies or cucumber ribbons would add a pop of brightness to the meal.
20. Cheesy Grilled Taco Burgers
Saving Room for Dessert
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes, high protein
Guac, fresh pico and two types of cheese (cotija and manchego) await atop this beefy delight. Mashed avocado, a spritz of lime juice and a few dashes of hot sauce seal the deal.
21. Shrimp Burgers with Chipotle Cream and Coconut Peach Salsa
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
These shrimp sammies, made with the help of a food processor, are like biting into a hot summer's day. Serve the tropical coconut-peach salsa atop spicy salmon, guacamole, barbacoa tacos or jerk chicken.
22. Cauliflower Falafel Veggie Burgers
Cookie and Kate
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, beginner-friendly
Held together with quinoa and old-fashioned oats, these burgers are impressively filling for being meatless. Slather the buns with tzatziki before placing the patties, or use hummus to keep the meal vegan.
23. Grilled BLT Turkey Burgers
Averie Cooks
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly
Two timeless dishes, one delectable handheld. Instead of paper-thin deli meat, ground turkey takes over. It's topped with usual suspects, like pickles and ketchup, as well as BLT essentials. A smear of mayo couldn't hurt either.
24. Buffalo-Blue Cheese Curly Fry and Crispy Black Bean Burgers
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
This over-the-top masterpiece is giving us all the foodie feels. Take a shortcut by using frozen curly fries instead of making your own—just don't skip the homemade cream cheese-cheddar sauce, spiked with vinegary buffalo sauce.
25. Blue Cheese Burgers with Tomato-Shallot Jam
Floating Kitchen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes marinating time)
Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
This burger—courtesy of Coterie member Gaby Dalkin—is equal parts juicy and spicy. Use the sweetest cherry tomatoes you can find at the farmers market to make the jam, which would pair beautifully with cream cheese, charcuterie and steak.
26. Roasted Beet and Fennel Burgers
The pig & quill
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: gluten-free, vegetarian, Paleo-friendly
This handheld wouldn't be possible without the help of a food processor. First, it's used to grind the vegetables into a moldable base for the patties. Then, it's used to break raw almonds into small pieces that can bind the patties together.
27. Asian-Inspired Burgers with Hoisin Ketchup & Garlic Chili Mayo
Carlsbad Cravings
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, high protein
We'll be loading all our summer sandwiches with chili-garlic mayo from now on, thank you very much. We also love the addition of crunchy, refreshing slaw, dressed with zingy rice vinegar, nutty sesame oil and fresh lime.
28. Cheeseburger and Egg Grilled Cheese
I am a food blog
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein, <30 minutes
Ever wake up immediately craving a burger? Just us? Well, either way, we recommend starting a lazy Sunday with this mix of toasty bread, rich ground beef, shredded cheese and a buttery, over-easy egg. You can thank us later.
29. Curried Veggie Burgers
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly
Held together by toasted cashews, these burgers are baked until firm, then pan-fried for a crusty, browned exterior. They're packed with fiber and plant-based protein, courtesy of chickpeas and lentils.
30. Pork Banh Mi Burgers
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein
Yes, the O.G. typically stars pork belly, but ground pork is cheaper, easier to work with and just as tasty a base for quick-picked veggies, jalapeños, herbs and spicy mayo.
31. Moroccan Chicken Burgers with Special Sauce
Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
It's begging to be enjoyed on the patio with a glass of white wine. The special sauce is easier than you may expect, and not a copycat Big Mac condiment. It's a simple mix of mayo, lemon juice, dill and mint.
32. Grilled Buffalo Chicken Burgers
saving room for dessert
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
The crunchy shaved celery topping cuts right through the spicy buffalo patties. (A drizzle of ranch dressing would help, too.) We'll take extra blue cheese crumbles on ours, please.
33. Cheeseburgers with Sautéed Onions and Horseradish Mayo
Wendi Polisi
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
Sharp white cheddar, caramelized onions and sinus-clearing horseradish mayo are a match made in burger-loving heaven. Use wheatless buns to make the burgers gluten-free.
34. Mushroom and Lentil Bruschetta Burgers
Sweet Peas and Saffron
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Thanks to brown lentils, mushrooms, sunflower seeds and rolled oats, the patties are as soft, savory and flavorful as they are toothsome and intriguingly textured. Make the bruschetta ahead to save time before dinner (and taste it on toasty crostini).
35. Cajun Burgers with Sweet Potato Buns
Food Faith Fitness
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly, gluten free
We promise you won't miss the bread. And you'll miss the store-bought ketchup even less: The recipe calls for using honey-sweetened, Cajun-inspired ketchup made from scratch instead.
36. The Cuban Frita Burgers
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Bring on the potato sticks, ground chorizo and fried eggs. Don’t skimp on the secret sauce, spiked with orange juice for tang, brown sugar for sweetness and sriracha for heat.
37. Paleo Korean Burgers
Worthy Pause
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Fresh ginger, sliced scallions and sesame oil go a long way in this low-ingredient recipe. Instead of fries, plate these beauties with kimchi, cauliflower rice and cucumber salad.
38. Spiced Turkey Burgers with Peach Chutney
CalmEats
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
Sweet summer peaches are cooked down with cabbage, scallions and pantry staples until soft and jammy. It's the ultimate match for chipotle-lime mayo and tender turkey patties.
39. Beet Burgers with Chickpeas and Quinoa
Wendi Polisi
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Count on beets to make a vibrant, photo-ready sammy every time. Substitute the egg with a flax egg to turn the burgers vegan, then top them with all the avocado, sprouts and pickled onions you desire.
40. Portobello Burgers with Blue Cheese and Onions
saving room for dessert
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Warning: Your friends will beg for the recipe. Meaty portobellos take over for beef. Each cap is crowned with a layer of melted blue cheese and a generous heap of caramelized red wine onions.
41. Southern-Style Hamburger Steaks with Onion and Mushroom Gravy
the defined dish
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
They're not burgers in the traditional sense, but once your guests take a bite, they definitely won't mind. These would taste divine over mashed potatoes or risotto during the colder months.
42. Keto Chicken Pesto Burgers
Hey Keto Mama
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, low carb
Pasta does not have dibs on pesto. While you may not be able to eat that carby main on keto, chicken burgers, cheese, veggies and herby basil pesto are all on the menu. Bye-bye, buns.
43. Quinoa & White Bean Veggie Burgers
The simple veganista
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly
The recipe calls for fresh red bell peppers and corn, so it's a great way to use up summer produce. Might we suggest dousing each burger in spicy sriracha cashew cream instead of mustard or mayo?
44. Baked Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers
Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
No one will turn up their noses at homemade Caesar dressing, especially one this traditional (down to the anchovy paste). Top 'em with store-bought Parmesan crisps in place of humdrum croutons.
45. Low-Carb Bacon Burgers with Guacamole
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, beginner-friendly
When carbs are off the table, turn to an easy lettuce wrap for your sandwiches and handhelds. Make a double batch of the jalapeño aioli for drizzling over salads, eggs, grilled cheeses and steaks.
46. Spiced Zucchini, Feta and Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Minted Yogurt Sauce
The Bojon Gourmet
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
Zucchini and chickpeas make a mean base for a vegetarian burger, but the minty yogurt sauce would taste heavenly on lamb patties too. The choice is yours, friends.
47. Tonkatsu Burgers
I am a food blog
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein
Shatteringly crisp tonkatsu pork cutlets, sesame cabbage slaw and spicy mustard atop a brioche bun—yup, this sammy is decidedly flawless. Serve the saucy pork pieces over rice with pickled veggies instead of on buns, if you feel so inclined.
48. The Ultimate Wild Rice Burgers
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
File this one under Best Ways to Use Up Leftover Rice. Cooked grains meet diced mushrooms and panko for a mild, kid-friendly take on veggie burgers.
49. Bacon Western Double Cheeseburgers
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly
We've never met an onion ring-topped burger that we didn't like love. Prepare the bacon ahead and use frozen onion rings to cut down on time and effort before dinner.
50. Korean BBQ Burgers with Miso-Candied Bacon
Carlsbad Cravings
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
White miso paste, maple syrup and a few pantry staples are the secrets to making the tastiest candied bacon of all time. Assemble the burgers ahead and let them chill in the fridge before dinner to allow the flavors to set.
51. Mango Jerk Salmon Burgers
Grandbaby Cakes
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly
Store-bought seasonings and pantry staples make this unexpected burger come to life with minimal effort. Pureed mango and lime juice in the patties infuse sweet-tart flavor into every bite.
52. Double BBQ Cheddar Burgers
Dude That Cookz
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Brown sugar-bourbon seasoning + shredded cheddar + bottled BBQ sauce = the easiest souped-up burger of all time. Serve them with beer battered onion rings (or whatever frozen kind you like).
53. Falafel Burgers
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time Commitment: 14 hours and 30 minutes (includes soaking time)
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Complete with roasted garlic aioli and quick-pickled red onions. Make the recipe ASAP by using canned chickpeas instead of dried, so you won't have to soak them for hours on end.
54. Grilled Lamb Burgers with Herbed Lemon Tahini Sauce
Vintage Kitty
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
Don't sleep on ground lamb as a protein: It'll elevate any alfresco dinner party or barbecue in a way that ground beef won't. Pickled onions and tangy feta would pair deliciously with the nutty, herby tahini sauce.
55. Juicy Mushroom and Swiss Sliders
Dude That Cookz
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
Cream of mushroom, Worcestershire sauce and meaty mushrooms make these handhelds supremely rich and indulgent. The secret sauce on top—which is made from ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen—is just a bonus.
56. Latin-Inspired Burgers
Grandbaby Cakes
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
Gourmet beef burgers meet Mexican-style ground chorizo for a doubly filling handheld. They're topped with Monterey Jack cheese for spice and store-bought pico de gallo for freshness. Serve them with plantain or tortilla chips instead of fries.
57. Cheeseburger Grilled Cheese
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
If you often prefer a patty melt to a standard burger, this grilled cheese is right up your alley. Spruce up the recipe by using rye bread instead of whole wheat, or by adding caramelized onions or crumbled bacon to each sammy.
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Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
