34 Unique Burger Ideas for Your Next Cookout
Updated: Aug. 21, 2024
It's time for a cookout, so fire up the grill! For a patty stacked with fun toppings, start with one of our unique burger ideas.
When I have guests over for a cookout, I love preparing burgers. I never want them to feel boring or repetitive, so I look for unique burger ideas when I plan my menu. Going beyond ground beef for my patties and setting out fun burger toppings and sauces is a simple way to host an interactive dinner.
If I decide to go all out, I make my own hamburger buns from scratch and crispy homemade french fries. If I’m pressed for time, I can make it easy and buy my favorite buns and the best frozen fries from the store.
Either way, burgers make great pairings for craft beers. A classic lager will work with any burger on this list. I especially like stouts for grilled burgers with rich toppings.
Turkey Burgers
These juicy, tender patties on whole wheat buns make a wholesome, satisfying sandwich. We especially like to make grilled turkey burgers, but you could also pan-fry them. —Sherry Hulsman, Elkton, Florida
Chorizo Burgers with Green Chile Aioli
Chorizo does all the work seasoning these burgers, and the aioli comes together in minutes. Wrap the juicy patties in lettuce for a keto version. Don't worry—the carb lovers in your home can still enjoy them on buns. —Becky Woollands, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Feta Mushroom Burgers
I got this recipe from my son-in-law and I tweaked it to make it healthier. The burgers are so quick to whip up on the grill on busy nights. —Dolores Block, Frankenmuth, Michigan
The Best Veggie Burger
There's a new burger in town! Our Test Kitchen shares their very best veggie burger recipe.
Asian Turkey Burger with Apple Slaw
I wanted to make turkey burgers a lot more fun. On a whim, I added hoisin sauce, gingerroot and garlic. Now we eat them about once a week. —Ashley Gayle, Ellicott City, Maryland
Hawaiian Burger
I love hamburgers and tropical fruit, so it just seemed natural for me to combine them. My family frequently requests this unique Hawaiian pineapple burger recipe. It’s a nice change of pace! —Joi McKim-Jones, Waikoloa, Hawaii
Chili-Cheese Burgers
Instead of topping my burgers with cheese, I like to shred it and mix it into the meat when shaping the patties. This way, I'm sure to get a little cheesy goodness in every bite. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Scrum-Delicious Burgers
I'm not sure where this recipe originated, but it's one of my family's summertime favorites. I usually serve these juicy mushroom burgers when we have company. The guests rave about the flavorful cheesy topping. It's fun to serve a burger that's a little more special. —Wendy Sommers, West Chicago, Illinois
Tuna Burger
Our tuna burger will transform pantry staples into a simple yet tasty meal that's sure to become a regular in your dinner recipe rotation.
Cola Burgers
A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. -Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Open-Faced Chicken Avocado Burgers
To dress up each chicken avocado burger, spread the Italian bread with creamy mayo and top with thick slices of fresh mozzarella and tomato. Serve with buttered boiled potatoes or a salad. —Lisa Hundley, Aberdeen, North Carolina.
Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers
This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
Taco Burgers
Taco burgers are a flavorful way to enjoy a classic burger with a Mexican twist. Have fun experimenting with different toppings and variations to make this recipe your own.
Meat Loaf Burgers
These hearty meat loaf sandwiches are delightful for potluck dinners. Served on hamburger buns, the beefy patties get extra flavor when topped with the seasoned tomato sauce. —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan
Bacon-Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers
These loaded burgers are one hearty meal in a bun. They're sure to satisfy the biggest appetites. —Christine Keating, Norwalk, California
Pork Burgers
These ground pork burgers are a flavorful alternative to all-beef burgers. Our pork burger recipe uses a few secret ingredients to make sure the patties turn out juicy and moist.
Bacon and Date Goat Cheese Burgers
Every bite of this burger is a rich and decadent combination of sweet and savory. If you can't find maple bacon in your local grocery store, use regular bacon and add 1-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup to the spinach-goat cheese mixture in the food processor. —Sharon Michelle Anglin, Livingston, Montana
Bratwurst Burgers with Braised Onions
This burger is a fun mashup of a bratwurst with onion and peppers, chicken-fried steak and a beef burger. The best of three dishes, bratwurst burgers are guaranteed to be family-pleasing. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Southwest Burger
We love burgers and have them every Saturday in summer. We also have a favorite burrito recipe. One day, we got the bright idea to combine two of our favorite recipe. Voila! Our southwestern burgers were created. —Tammy Fortney, Deer Park, Washington
Cuban Sandwich Burgers
My mom would make these Cuban burgers when we would visit her in Florida. They are a take on the real Cuban sandwich. My kids love them. My boys could eat two of these monsters in one sitting. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Crunchy Burger Quesadillas
We adore burgers—all kinds! We also love quesadillas and tacos, so I combined them to make amazing, very filling quesadilla burgers that my whole family enjoys. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Cumin-Spiced Lentil Burgers
I adapted my Turkish daughter-in-law’s traditional recipe for lentil logs—typically wrapped in a lettuce leaf and served with a lemon wedge—into vegan burgers. If you prefer a spicier version, add hot chili powder or crushed red chile peppers. —Sheila Joan Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Buffalo Beef Burgers
Ever-popular Buffalo wings inspired the flavors of this tangy, amped-up burger. The zippy mayonnaise topping gives the sandwiches their kick. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California
Jalapeno Swiss Burgers
Mexican culture greatly influences our cuisine, and we eat a lot of spicy foods. In this recipe, the mellow flavor of Swiss cheese cuts the heat of the jalapenos.—Jeanine Richardson, Floresville, Texas
Reuben Portobello Mushroom Burgers
These portobello mushroom burgers are a hit every time I serve them. They are filling but not heavy. The sauerkraut, garlic cloves and onions can be made ahead to cut down on prep time. —Lisa Benoit, Cookeville, Tennessee
Falafel Chicken Burgers with Lemon Sauce
Falafel burgers with lemon yogurt sauce mark the first recipe I created myself. Use leftover mix to make chicken falafel or falafel with veggies or fish. —Nicole Mederos, Hoboken, New Jersey
Gourmet Burgers with Sun-Dried Tomato
This recipe brings together many of the flavors my family enjoys, complete with a surprise in the center of each burger. You can use almost any cheese—Gorgonzola, feta, smoked Gouda, blue or another family favorite. —Aaron Shields, Hamburg, New York
Chicken Parmesan Burgers
A restaurant-quality burger that’s topped with marinara and loaded with cheese—what’s not to love? Fresh basil adds even more flavor if you'd like. —Brooke Petras, Alpine, California
Cheeseburger Sliders
This cheeseburger sliders recipe features juicy burger patties, melty American cheese, tangy pickles and special sauce on a sesame-seed bun—just like your favorite fast-food burger! This crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for parties (or any other time you don’t want to cook individual burger patties).
Papa Burger
When whipping up something for Father’s Day or the Fourth of July, I go big and tall with this fully loaded, juicy yumburger. —Chase Bailey, Costa Mesa, California
Venison Burgers
Even folks who aren’t fans of ground venison recipes will enjoy these zippy venison burgers, deliciously topped with pepper cheese and a cool lime-mustard mayonnaise. My son, who’s an avid hunter, gave me this super recipe. —Jerry Honeyager, North Prairie, Wisconsin
Lettuce-Wrap Burgers
A lettuce-wrap burger offers all the best parts of a burger—a juicy patty, crisp toppings and a delicious sauce—without the bun.
Wisconsin Butter Burgers
It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter.My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio
Open-Faced Pizza Burgers
I'm not sure where I first saw this pizza burger recipe, but I'm glad I did! My family requests this meal often. A dash of oregano livens up canned pizza sauce. —Sharon Schwartz, Burlington, WisconsinUnique Burger Ideas FAQ
How can I make my burgers more interesting?
To make burgers interesting, think about using different textures. For a grilled pork burger, add crunchy fried onions. A crispy-edged smash burger will be more interesting with soft caramelized onions or gooey American cheese. Think of the toppings or sauces you can serve with a burger to add soft, creamy, crunchy, crisp and chewy textures. There is a reason that crisp lettuce, chewy bacon, creamy cheese and crunchy pickle slices are classic toppings to stack on a burger.
How do you know when a burger is cooked?
The safest way to know a burger is cooked is using an instant-read thermometer to check that beef, pork and bison burgers reach a temperature of 160°F, and chicken and turkey burgers reach 165°. These are the USDA-recommended temperatures to ensure your meat is safe to eat.
Note that the USDA guidelines will give you a well-done burger. For a medium-rare ground beef burger, the internal temp should be 132°, a medium burger should be 142° and a medium-well burger should be 152°. There are risks associated with eating undercooked meat, though, and cooking to 160° will always lead to the safest burgers.
What size should I make my burgers?
Burgers shrink about 15% when they cook because water evaporates and protein structures contract. To make a patty that will fit perfectly on the bun after you cook it, shape it to be about 15% wider than the bun. For burgers that sit comfortably on your bun, rather than forming a dome, use your fingers to poke a few dimples in the center of the patty. As the patty cooks, these dimples expand and leave the top of the burger flat. For more tips on making flawless patties, avoid these common mistakes when grilling burgers.
Do I need to rest my burger after I cook it?
Yes, you should always rest a burger. Giving your patties some time to rest allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat. This way, all the flavor ends up in your mouth, not leaking onto the plate. Plus, burgers will also be easier to handle after they rest for three to five minutes. A little rest is a great way to avoid burgers that break as you place them on a bun or plate.
Originally Published: April 29, 2018
