Summer grilling season is here, and I couldn’t be more excited to share 26 of my very best burger recipes with you. I’m talking thick, impossibly juicy patties piled sky high with all the fixings.
A few playful twists make every bite an event. These burgers turn a simple backyard barbecue into the highlight of the summer.
1. Cheese Stuffed Burgers (Juicy Lucy)
Take a classic cheeseburger, then stuff it with molten cheese and sweet caramelized onions and you’ve got a Juicy Lucy that’s next level delicious. It asks for a couple extra steps, but the moment that ooey gooey center hits your tongue, you’ll know it was time well spent. Every bite is pure, rich, cheesy bliss.
2. Air Fryer Hamburgers
These air fryer burgers are about as easy and fast as it gets. The hot circulating air cooks them up in no time, leaving you with incredibly tasty patties that aren’t swimming in grease. Honestly, the total lack of splattery mess might be my favorite thing about them.
3. Caramelized Onion Smashed Burgers
The magic of a smash burger is all in those lacy, crispy edges that form when the patty hits a hot pan. Top it with gooey melted cheese and a pile of sweet caramelized onions, and you’ve got a masterpiece of taste and texture.
I like to add a few tangy pickles for that extra crunch, and please, don’t forget to toast the buns. It’s a tiny step that changes everything.
4. Egg-in-a-Hole Breakfast Burger on Cheddar Bacon Brioche
You’ve heard of “egg-in-a-hole,” but I doubt you’ve seen it like this. Instead of cutting a hole in the bread, you’ll cut a hole in the burger patty and crack an egg right into the meat. If you love breakfast sandwiches, you will love this burger – especially if you take the time to make the cheddar and bacon brioche buns.
5. Korean-Style Shrimp Burger
Have you ever had a shrimp burger before? Then, get ready because it might just become your new summer cookout fave!
Featuring a super crispy shrimp patty, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dreamy dressing, you’ll need more than one of these bad boys. The Kewpie mayo sauce is by far the best part. It combines all the best burger sauces – ketchup, mayo, and mustard – into one delicious condiment.
6. Italian Sausage Burgers
When I want a break from beef, Italian sausage burgers are my go
7. Bacon Cheddar Ranch PUB Burgers
Ever stood in front of a burger so tall you wondered how to even take a bite? That’s exactly what these Pub Burgers are all about.
The patties might be small in diameter, but load them up with all the fixings and they turn into a skyscraper of a meal. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
8. Hamburger Steak (Hambagu)
This Japanese hamburger steak puts all the attention on the meat. That said, the rich and flavorful red wine reduction is the perfect compliment.
Tender and juicy, it may look like it came out of a steakhouse, but it’s super straightforward to whip up at home. Serve this with some steak sides and a glass of red wine.
9. Best Ground Chicken Burgers
Chicken burgers have a reputation for drying out, but these patties flip that idea on its head. They stay incredibly moist and are packed with flavor from the very first bite. They come together in just 30 minutes, making them a perfect lean dinner when you need something fast and satisfying.
10. Salmon Burgers
I’m wild about this salmon burger because it keeps things beautifully simple. There’s no avalanche of herbs and spices, just the delicate, sweet taste of the fish front and center.
The patties turn out tender and moist every time, but the Greek yogurt herb sauce is what steals the show. It’s a lovely, tangy match that lifts the salmon without ever stealing its spotlight.
11. Mexican Burger
Mexican flavors tucked inside a big, juicy beef burger? Count me in every single time.
This is exactly what I reach for when I want those South of the Border vibes but need something hearty and satisfying. The patty is smoky and has just the right
12. Green Chile Cheeseburger
This smash burger is crispy, juicy, spicy, and oh-so-cheesy. The green chilis are a tangy and slightly zingy addition that brings just enough heat to leave you licking your lips. And when they mix into the melted cheese, it all turns into a queso-like topping that is just heavenly.
13. Turkey Burger
Much like their chicken cousins, turkey burgers can be hit or miss, but these ones are unbelievably tender and delicious. Even the most dedicated beef lovers will go back for seconds.
The patties are wonderfully juicy, with a lovely smoky character and a little kick of warmth. I promise, they’ll surprise you in the best way.
14. Greek Lamb Burgers
If you’re ready to shake up burger night, these Greek lamb patties are such a fun detour from the usual beef. They’re juicy, deeply flavorful with a warm spice blend, and the fresh mint adds a pop of brightness I can’t stop thinking about.
Swap the classic bun for a soft pita and stuff it with crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and crumbles of feta. Load it up until you just can’t fit any more!
15. Quesadilla Burger {Applebee’s Copycat}
This burger is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a quesadilla with an entire burger inside.
It’s cheesy, meaty, and loaded with veggies and a crazy delicious sauce. A fun twist on two dinner favorites, this version is a little healthier but just as tasty.
16. Steakhouse Burger
You know that moment when you bite into a burger and it instantly transports you to a dimly lit steakhouse? This patty does that.
I’ve made a lot of burgers, but this one is the juiciest, most perfect version I know. The meat is ridiculously flavorful on its own, a total blank canvas for whatever toppings you’re craving. Honestly, it’s my all time favorite, hands down.
17. Pizza Burger
Can’t decide between burger night and pizza night? Have them both at once and call it a win.
Pile pepperoni, pizza sauce, and melty cheese right onto a juicy patty and suddenly dinner is the easiest decision of the day. Play around with your favorite pizza toppings, but whatever you do, don’t skip the meat lovers version. I’m telling you, it’s unbeatable.
18. Western Bacon Cheeseburger
This homemade version of a drive thru classic stacks bacon, golden crunchy onion rings, tangy barbecue sauce, and plenty of cheese sky high. It’s the kind of burger that will completely steal the show at your next summer gathering. Fair warning though: it’s gloriously indulgent, so maybe save the calorie counting for another day.
19. Ginger Sesame Teriyaki Burgers
These veggie burgers hit all the right notes: sweet, spicy, and bursting with ginger sesame teriyaki goodness. I love that they’re quick to throw together and hold their shape perfectly on the grill, no crumbling disasters here. They’re also incredibly satisfying; just one of these hearty patties will keep you full for hours.
20. Italian Chicken Burgers (Chicken Parmesan Burgers)
What happens when you combine a burger with all the cozy flavors of chicken Parmesan? Pure dinnertime magic.
You’ll grill the juicy chicken patties first, then let them swim in a warm marinara bath until everything’s perfectly saucy. A generous blanket of melted mozzarella on top, and you’ve got a meal that feels like a warm hug.
21. BEST Bean Burgers
These vegetarian bean burgers are delicious. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, low-fat, and oil-free!
Made with kidney beans and only five other ingredients, they’re really simple. And while they’re healthy, they don’t taste like it. Customize these as you see fit, and dig in!
22. Falafel Burgers (Vegetarian, Broiled)
I love that these falafel burgers skip the frying and head straight under the broiler. You still get that irresistible crunch without greasy splatters all over the kitchen. They’re loaded with veggies, fresh herbs, and a warm spice blend that makes every bite sing, and the toppings are just as exciting as the patties themselves.
23. Korean Kimchi Burgers
Looking for a burger that absolutely explodes with flavor? This Korean kimchi creation is it.
It’s piled high with sharp cheddar, creamy avocado, charred scallions, and a generous heap of tangy kimchi. A swoosh of gochujang aioli brings the whole thing together, adding a saucy, spicy kick that’s so good I could eat it with a spoon.
24. Pimento Cheeseburgers
Even hard-core grill masters have probably never had a burger like this pimento cheese dish. This is not your typical cheese-melted-on-meat burger recipe.
Instead, there’s a generous helping of mouth-watering cheese spread on top. And I just can’t get enough of it.
25. Smoked Gouda Smash Burgers
These smash burgers have everything you could ever want in a burger. They’re savory, crispy on the edges, juicy, and filling!
And all you need is beef and salt! Add some smoked gouda until it melts, then top it off with your favorite burger toppings.
26. Best Classic Burger
If you’re a burger purist, this one’s for you. It takes just a handful of ingredients and barely any effort, and the patty is all about that clean, beefy flavor.
I love serving these at BBQs because everyone can customize their plate. I adore fiery chilies, but I keep them out of the mix so nobody has to sweat through dinner.