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62 Best Burger Recipes You'll Be Making All Summer Long

Get those tongs ready—it's grilling season.

By and
turkey burger topped with banh mi toppings like pickled carrots, jalapenos, and sriracha mayo
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

Get those grill tongs a-clickin', it's burger-grilling time! As far as summer grub goes, there's 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 62 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

Turkey Burgers

turkey burger with lettuce and tomato
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

2

Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers

turkey burger topped with banh mi toppings like pickled carrots, jalapenos, and sriracha mayo
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

Turkey burgers can have a reputation for being boring, but when done right, they’re anything but. We amped up these burgers by incorporating the flavors of one of our favorite sandwiches: bánh mì. Pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and cilantro all top our seasoned turkey burgers for a cheap and easy dinner that couldn’t be more exciting, especially served with chili oil smashed potatoes, a crunch salad, or Korean potatoes.

Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.

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3

Big Mac Crunchwrap

big mac crunchwrap
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you've ever had to make the post-party decision between Taco Bell and McDonald's, this one is for you. Eliminate the need to choose and make a Big Mac Crunchwrap instead. It's everything you love about both fast food treats, all in one. It features two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed… large flour tortilla. These are perfect for a game day snack spread, weekend house party, or fuel after a long night out on the town.

Get the Big Mac Crunchwrap recipe.

4

Slutty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger

slutty vegan's one night stand burger
ANDREW BUI

If you think that vegan burgers can't rival meat-based ones, think again. Atlanta-based chain Slutty 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 Slutty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger recipe.

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5

Copycat Shake Shack Burger

shake shackburger with two patties and shack sauce
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

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.

6

Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger

a ginger, garlic, and scallion studded turkey patty, pickled spicy peppers and cucumbers, a bright, crisp cabbage slaw, and plenty of sweet chili mayo all on a shiny, fluffy brioche bun
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A classic beef cheeseburger (smashed, with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, and mayo on a toasted potato bun) will always have its place in our hearts, but sometimes you gotta branch out of your standard burger operation and switch up the flavor palate. This Thai-inspired sweet chili turkey burger is just the break from boring you’ve been waiting for, with a ginger-, garlic-, and scallion-studded turkey patty, pickled spicy chiles and cucumbers, a bright, crisp cabbage slaw, and plenty of sweet chili mayo all on a shiny, fluffy brioche bun.

Get the Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger recipe.

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7

Classic Cheeseburger

best ever hamburger

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.

8

Greek Stuffed Turkey Burgers

stuffed burger garlicky feta
Joel goldberg

Cheese lovers, take note: You can stuff your patties (we used ground turkey, but you do you) with a whole square of salty, creamy, herby feta (or our Greek feta dip?). These might just become your favorite spin on a cheese-stuffed burger.

Get the Greek Stuffed Turkey Burgers recipe.

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9

Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers

copycat shake shack shroom burger
ERIK BERNSTEIN

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.

10

Chicken Burgers

chicken burgers
Park Feierbach

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.

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11

Pizza Burgers

pizza burgers
Parker feierbach

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.

12

Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps

cheesburger with tomato wrapped inside cabbage
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Say goodbye, lettuce wrapscabbage is our new low-carb go-to. We love how sturdy cabbage is as a bun replacement—it wraps around our burger no problem, and holds our burgers together with no fear of tearing or spillage. We went with a classic burger here: ground beef patty, cheddar cheese, tomato slices, red onion, pickles, and even a homemade burger sauce. That being said, this recipe is endlessly adaptable, feel free to experiment to create your own ideal burger cabbage wrap.

Get the Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps recipe.

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13

Chicken Parm Burgers

chicken parm burgers
Erik bernstein

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.

14

Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

air fryer cheeseburger
Emily Hlavac Green

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.

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15

Copycat Steak 'N Shake Frisco Melt

copycat steak n shake frisco melt with fries
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The famous Frisco Melt is a building of delicate layers of goodness. You have your two butter-smothered toasted slices of sourdough bread on top with that tangy creamy dressing on one slice and some classic caramelized onions on the other, with the pièce de résistance smashed burger with two slices of silky melted cheese in the middle. If the Steak 'n Shake classic sandwich is a staple for you, then our copycat recipe is about to become your new favorite lunch star.

Get the Copycat Steak 'N Shake Frisco Melt recipe.

16

Quesadilla Burgers

quesadilla burger vertical
Ethan Calabrese

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.

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17

Falafel Burgers

falafel burgers
Parker Feierbach

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.

18

Smash Burgers

smash burger
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN: FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

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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19

Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburgers

copycat carls jr bacon western cheeseburger
ANDREW BUI

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.

20

Cheeseburger Cups

cheeseburger cups horizontal
Kathryn Wirsing

We love using muffins tins for genius hacks like this. The "cups" are pieces of white bread that get molded and then filled with a ground beef mixture that tastes just like a cheeseburger. Don't forget to drizzle with your favorite condiments and top with a pickle chip.

Get the Cheeseburger Cups recipe.

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