In celebration of warmer weather, there's simply nothing better than a perfectly charred, ridiculously juicy burger — whether it's nestled between two truffle mac 'n' cheese buns, threaded onto a skewer, or transformed into a classic cheddar cheeseburger. Here are a few takes on this American classic that we can't stop craving.
Shake Shack Shackburger
Before getting experimental with burger variations, it's important to learn how to make a cheeseburger the right way. We can think of no better take on this cookout star than NYC icon Shake Shack's Shackburger [1].
Goat Cheese Guac Burgers With Cheddar and Caramelized Onions
There's a lot going on with this option: the patties are stuffed with goat cheese [2] and toppings include guacamole, cheddar, barbecue mayo, and caramelized onions.
Hawaiian Burger
Grilled pineapple rings and tangy teriyaki sauce give this otherwise classic burger a must-try Hawaiian twist [3].
Taleggio Burgers With Spicy Pancetta and Pear and Blueberry Chutney
Bold and funky taleggio, salty pancetta, and a sweet pear and blueberry compote add interest to this recipe [4].
Fried Mozzarella and Caramelized Peach Caprese Burger
For a supersummery take on the burger, make this caprese-inspired riff [5] that's topped with fried mozzarella, caramelized peaches, and basil.
Blue Cheese Burgers
Don't be afraid to mix blue cheese into your patty [6] — the result is a heightened level of sophistication.
Burger Skewers
Let's face it: burgers are a messy food that's best eaten sitting down. That is, unless you make them mini and thread them onto skewers [7] for a cocktail-party finger-food twist.
Ramen Burger
Get in on the ramen craze by making our take on Keizo Shimamoto's shoyu-glazed ramen burger [8].
Queso Hamburger
Instead of a slice of cheddar, top your cheeseburger with tangy homemade queso [9].
Burger With Homemade Potato Buns and Secret Sauce
Homemade potato buns, macerated onions, and secret sauce [10] take this burger from ordinary to extraordinary.
Scallion-and-Brie-Stuffed Burgers
The highbrow take on Minnesota's iconic Juicy Lucy [11] is stuffed with an oozing brie center [12] and slathered with spicy scallion mayo.
Eggs Benedict Burger
For a meatier dinner-ready take on eggs benedict, substitute a burger patty for Canadian bacon [13].
Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Burger
Indulge in two epic comfort foods — mac 'n' cheese and a juicy burger — in one bite with this recipe that transforms creamy, cheesy pasta into burger buns [14].
Totchos Supreme Burgers
No need to choose between nachos, tater tots, or burgers; this recipe has it all [15].
Monte Cristo Burger
You've had Monte Cristo sandwiches and classic cheeseburgers, but have you ever tried a Monte Cristo burger [16] (an ingenious mashup of the two)? It's topped with prosciutto chips — just sayin'!
Bruschetta Burger
Take advantage of fresh Summer produce by topping a burger with traditional bruschetta ingredients [17].