Make Burgers Memorable with Creative Recipes

First, every great hamburger needs a well-made patty, so here's a basic ground beef recipe to get you started. But don’t forget to try our vegetarian burger recipe; a delicious mini-burger recipe made with lamb from Cooking Maven Deborah; and explore our list of not-so-ordinary ways to make an unforgettable burger.

Basic Beef Burgers
This recipe will make eight hamburger patties. Increase the amounts to reflect your party size.

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your grill on high heat and oil the grate. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper. Place ground beef and bread crumbs into the mixture, and with your hands or a fork, mix until well blended. Form into eight patties, each about 3/4-inch thick. Place the patties on the grill and cook 7 to 9 minutes per side, or however long you desire.

For those of you who don’t eat meat but still love burgers, here’s a great vegetarian burger recipe.

Vegetarian Burgers

INGREDIENTS

2 (6-ounce packages) button or baby bella mushrooms, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs, toasted
1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped red onions (optional)
2 tablespoons canned chopped chilis
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried minced onions
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 egg
Non-stick spray

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put mushrooms in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped.
2. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
3. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, place black beans in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped.
5. Place chopped beans in a large bowl, and add toasted breadcrumbs, cheese, onions (if desired), chilis, garlic powder, onions, parsley flakes, egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
6. Gently shape mushroom mixture into five patties.
7. Coat a non stick skillet with nonstick spray, and place over medium heat. Cook patties about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

When you’re in the mood to try something simple and fresh, surprise your friends with these tasty lamb mini-burgers.

Lamb Mini-Burgers—By Deborah Fewell

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lb. ground lamb
2 oz. feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 mini brioche rolls
Romaine lettuce, for garnish
1 red onion, thinly sliced
3 Roma tomatoes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the lamb, feta, salt and pepper.
2. Form the mini burgers and put the burgers on a sheet tray. Slice the tomatoes.
3. Heat a grill pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, brush the pan with olive oil and put the burgers on the grill pan and cook for three minutes, then flip and cook for another three minutes.
4. Remove the burgers and plate. Serve on buns with tomatoes, lettuce and onion.

Now the difference between a plain patty and a work of art is just a few creative toppings away. Look to these unique toppers to really beef up your burger.

Aloha Burger
Top this Big Kahuna with a pineapple slice, cooked bacon, and mozzarella cheese. You can even incorporate coconut shreds. Replace your standard bun with a Hawaiian sweet bread bun.

Buffalo Burger
Coat cooked patties with chicken wing sauce, top with blue cheese, and serve with celery on the side.

Fiesta Burger
Top this hamburger with all your favorite taco ingredients. Layer with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, and tortilla chip crumbles.

The BBLT
Make your favorite sandwich into hamburger form by adding bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Spread well with mayo.

My Big Fat Greek Burger
Use feta cheese, black olives, tomatoes, and onions for the ultimate Greek experience.

Totally Vegged-Out Burger
Pile the patty high with your favorite cool veggies. Try cucumber slices, tomatoes, bean sprouts, and a creamy dill dressing. For a true vegetarian experience, replace the beef patty with a vegetarian patty.

Reuben Burger
Smother this burger with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. You can even substitute the bun with marble rye bread.

Rancher Burger
Corn, black beans, cilantro, melted cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, and ranch dressing make this the burger of choice around the campfire.

N'awlins Burger
Sprinkle your patty with Cajun seasoning, and layer with jalapeno cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and chilies. Mix together 2 teaspoons of chili paste with a cup of mayonnaise to spread on the buns.

Mama Mia Burger
Make Mama proud by topping this patty with roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and provolone cheese. Spread garlic butter on the inside of the bun for extra kick.

So this summer, forget about the ketchup and do away with the pickles. Get creative and look to our favorite ways to top a burger for your next grill-out.