Build a Better Burger
The humble hamburger takes center stage in May with not one but two delicious distinctions: National Hamburger Month and National Hamburger Day on May 28th. As Memorial Day weekend kicks off the official grilling season across America, there’s no better time to elevate your burger game. Whether hosting a holiday cookout or celebrating these meaty occasions, transforming this American classic into your signature dish requires just a few thoughtful upgrades, from unexpected flavor combinations to homemade condiments that will make your taste buds sing.
Building Better Patties
The foundation of any great burger lies in the patty itself. For beef burgers, aim for an 80/20 meat-to-fat ratio to ensure juiciness. Handle the meat minimally when forming patties and make an indentation in the center with your thumb to prevent the dreaded “burger bulge” during cooking. Season generously with salt and pepper just before cooking and not before then - salt draws out moisture if applied too early, resulting in a drier burger.
Bun Revolution
A burger is only as good as the bun that holds it, yet this component is often an afterthought. Explore beyond the standard white bun. Try brioche for richness, pretzel buns for a chewy texture, or ciabatta for something more substantial. Whatever your choice, don’t forget to toast the bun lightly; this creates a barrier against sogginess and adds another texture dimension to your burger experience.
Burgers With a Twist
While a perfectly seasoned classic beef patty will always have its place in the burger hall of fame, expanding your protein horizon can lead to delicious discoveries.
Curtis Stone’s mouthwatering Italian-Style Gourmet Burger is made with ground chuck and flavored with prosciutto, garlic, and Fontina cheese, all served between ciabatta bread. The gourmet ketchup takes it to another level of deliciousness.
Take your taste buds to Greece with Greek Lamb Burgers from The Mediterranean Dish. The burgers, made with a mixture of lamb and beef, are perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices, then grilled and tucked into pitas with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives, and feta. So good!
Food & Wine’s Ginger-Sesame Pork Burgers with Slaw are studded with Asian flavors like scallions, ginger, and garlic. The coleslaw mix topping is flavored with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, which complements the pork burgers perfectly.
For additional burgers with a twist, check out Brit + Co’s 24 Mouthwatering Burger Recipes for National Burger Day and beyond. Try the Coffee Rubbed Homemade Burgers from The Chunky Chef or the Super Juicy Teriyaki Burger from Hapa Nom Nom.
Kick Up Your Condiments and Toppings
If you’re not quite ready to stud your ground chuck or ground beef with twisted flavors, you can get creative with condiments and toppings! When exploring condiment options, consider flavors that complement the burger, like those found in Cowboy Burgers Topped with Onion Rings. These delicious burgers from Spicy Southern Kitchen include cheddar, bacon, and BBQ sauce.
You can set up a toppings bar at your Memorial Day cookout and let your guests pick and choose their toppings. This 10 Creative Ways to Top Your Burger This Summer article from Simply Recipes includes great burger/condiment/topping suggestions for taco burgers, French onion burgers, and other palatable possibilities. If you love bold cheese, our Blue Cheese Burgers are always a hit at any cookout.
Side Show Stunners
A great burger deserves equally impressive sides. Cool-temperature side dishes make for a perfect pairing to fresh off-the-grill burgers when the weather starts warming up. This Best Choice Italian Pasta Salad is a great side dish because it can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time.
Try Pillsbury’s Grilled Foil-Pack Cheesy Fries. These truly tasty and fun fries are made with frozen potatoes (you can use any type of fry or tater tots), American cheese, green onions, and real bacon bits.
Easy Skillet Roasted Corn, from My Sequined Life, is the perfect side dish for hamburgers. Simply roast canned corn in a skillet, then flavor it with fresh garlic, chili lime seasoning, and queso fresco. This side pairs perfectly with classic hamburgers or Mexican-style burgers.
It’s time to fire up the grill and take your burgers from ordinary to extraordinary!
