16 Recipes That Prove Burgers Are the King of Summer Cookouts

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
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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.

Goat Cheese Guac Burgers With Cheddar and Caramelized Onions
How Sweet It Is

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 and toppings include guacamole, cheddar, barbecue mayo, and caramelized onions.

Hawaiian Burger
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Hawaiian Burger

Grilled pineapple rings and tangy teriyaki sauce give this otherwise classic burger a must-try Hawaiian twist.

Taleggio Burgers With Spicy Pancetta and Pear and Blueberry Chutney
Cooking For Keeps

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.

Fried Mozzarella and Caramelized Peach Caprese Burger
Half Baked Harvest

Fried Mozzarella and Caramelized Peach Caprese Burger

For a supersummery take on the burger, make this caprese-inspired riff that's topped with fried mozzarella, caramelized peaches, and basil.

Blue Cheese Burgers
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Blue Cheese Burgers

Don't be afraid to mix blue cheese into your patty — the result is a heightened level of sophistication.

Burger Skewers
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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 for a cocktail-party finger-food twist.

Ramen Burger
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Ramen Burger

Get in on the ramen craze by making our take on Keizo Shimamoto's shoyu-glazed ramen burger.

Queso Hamburger
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Queso Hamburger

Instead of a slice of cheddar, top your cheeseburger with tangy homemade queso.

Burger With Homemade Potato Buns and Secret Sauce
Alexandra's Kitchen

Burger With Homemade Potato Buns and Secret Sauce

Homemade potato buns, macerated onions, and secret sauce take this burger from ordinary to extraordinary.

Scallion-and-Brie-Stuffed Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Scallion-and-Brie-Stuffed Burgers

The highbrow take on Minnesota's iconic Juicy Lucy is stuffed with an oozing brie center and slathered with spicy scallion mayo.

Eggs Benedict Burger
Cooking For Keeps

Eggs Benedict Burger

For a meatier dinner-ready take on eggs benedict, substitute a burger patty for Canadian bacon.

Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Burger
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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.

Monte Cristo Burger
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Monte Cristo Burger

You've had Monte Cristo sandwiches and classic cheeseburgers, but have you ever tried a Monte Cristo burger (an ingenious mashup of the two)? It's topped with prosciutto chips — just sayin'!

Bruschetta Burger
Cooking For Keeps

Bruschetta Burger

Take advantage of fresh Summer produce by topping a burger with traditional bruschetta ingredients.