30 Delicious Burger Recipes to Make All Summer Long

From turkey to tuna and all things in between, you're going to find and fall in love with multiple patties in this ultimate guide to burgers.

By
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta has 25 years of experience in the food service industry and has been developing recipes for 3 years. She is the author of Taste & See Cooks: Recipes to Inspire, Equip and Enjoy.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published July 29, 2021
Marta Rivera
The Ultimate Guide to Burgers

Simply Recipes

The one time of year I'm always down to celebrate is burger season. I'll keep it real with you, I'm a sucker for a burger any time of the year, but something about summer thrills the burger aficionado in me. You get to crank up the grill (or cast iron) and make flavorful patties and all of the best side dishes—potato salad, pasta salad, and grilled veggies.

We’re here to keep burger season exciting for you. From turkey to tuna and all things in between, you're going to find and fall in love with one (or ten) of these burger recipes. If you’re looking for a patty that is out-of-the-box you can try lamb burgers with a creamy and herbaceous tzatziki sauce. Or keep it a little more traditional with a gooey patty melt or beef burger topped with blue cheese (yes, you heard that right).

This burger roundup has EVERY burger recipe you'll ever need. There is something for everyone, we promise! If you want to take your summer gatherings over the top you can even whip up a few additional burger sauces and spreads for your friends and family to try out.

Because I know how important burger life is, I've even arranged the patties by category. You have chicken burgers, unique meats like bison and lamb burgers, then we move on to classic beef burgers, turkey burgers, pork burgers, and last but certainly not least seafood and veggie burgers.

Pair your burger with a simple salad, chips, fries, or plantains and grab a cold beverage because burger season is about to be off to a great start.

  • Spicy Buffalo Chicken Burger

    The top bun set to the side of the BEST spicy buffalo chicken burger.
    Nick Evans

    These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Burgers has everything you enjoy about Buffalo chicken wings in burger form. Shredded carrots and celery keep the burger flavorful and juicy while the hot sauce adds all the heat you desire.

    Get Recipe

  • Herb Chicken Burgers

    Side view of a herbed chicken burger with lemon mayo
    Nick Evans

    Try these Herbed Chicken Burgers for a delicious and healthy burger option at your next backyard BBQ. These moist and juicy burgers are grilled and served with a zesty lemon chive mayo, red onion, and creamy avocado.

    Get Recipe

  • Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
    Sabrina Modelle

    Lamb is high on flavor. I recommend using New Zealand lamb if this is your first time making a lamb burger because it is less gamy in flavor. You’ll fall in love with these burgers after one bite. These patties are drizzled with a tzatziki cucumber sauce and loaded up with feta, lettuce, red onion, and tomatoes.

    Get Recipe

  • Bison Burger

    Bison Burger
    Elise Bauer

    Use bison (buffalo) meat in place of beef this burger season. The addition of fresh sage tampers down any gaminess you might expect from this cut of meat. The burger is slathered with a smokey barbecue sauce to finish making this the perfect picnic patty.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 5 of 30 below.

  • Nacho Burger

    Nacho Mexican Burger with a side of fries.
    Nick Evans

    Love nachos? Love burgers? Then this is the perfect patty for you! This ground beef burger is piled high with all of your favorite nacho toppings: pico de gallo, avocado, pickled jalapenos, and queso fresco. And did we mention the tortilla chips?

    Get Recipe

  • Juicy Lucy Hamburger

    Side view of a Jucy lucy burger cut in half to show the cheese in the middle and on a wooden cutting board.
    Mike Lang

    This cheeseburger lives up to its name: The Juicy Lucy. It is a grilled ground beef burger encased in melted American cheese. Serve this patty with all of your favorite burger fixings and classic potato chips.

    Get Recipe

  • Bacon Cheeseburger

    Best bacon cheeseburger set on a wood board outside.

    Mike Lang

    Bacon cheeseburgers are classic...but we've done something a little different with this one. This burger has bacon INSIDE the patty. Finished with sharp Cheddar cheese, more crispy bacon and a brioche bun—this is what burger dreams are made of.

    Get Recipe

  • Blue Cheese Burgers

    Blue Cheese Burgers
    Elise Bauer

    Because a juicy burger is where it's at, make these funky (in a good way) burgers with 30/70 ground beef and steer clear of the leaner varieties. I've never felt let down when I topped this burger with Caramelized Onions, either.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 9 of 30 below.

  • Chipotle Burger

    Chipotle chili burger
    Elise Bauer

    Control the level of spiciness in these burgers by adding more or less of the canned chipotle peppers to the meat mix. A great way to incorporate more of that leftover adobo sauce is to fold it into mayonnaise for slathering on the bun later.

    Get Recipe

  • Classic Patty Melt

    The best patty melt sliced in half and stacked on top of each other. The sandwich is crispy with melted cheese, caramelized onions and beef patties visible.
    Nick Evans

    Who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned patty melt? Skip the buns for this one. A patty melt tastes best on buttery sliced bread that's been toasted on a cast-iron skillet. Want to level it up? Make it with sliced brioche.

    Get Recipe

  • Smashburger

    Close up view of a homemade smashburger.
    Nick Evans

    Ever had a Smashburger? If not, here's your chance to make the famous burger right at home! A thin patty is cooked and caramelized to perfection and topped with cheese and all of the fixings. So sorry, if your mouth is watering.

    Get Recipe

  • Grilled Beef and Mushroom Burger

    Side view of a mushroom and swiss burger on a plate with chips outside.
    Lori Rice

    This burger reminds me of my favorite French onion soup packed into a handheld meal. If you're a fan of ooey-gooey, double up on the Swiss cheese, or go even gooier with gruyere.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 13 of 30 below.

  • Jamaican Jerk Burgers

    Jamaican Jerk Burger
    Elise Bauer

    You'd be hard-pressed to find a more flavor-filled burger than this one. The heat of the scotch bonnet peppers is tempered by the cool, creamy slaw topping. But, if you want to avoid the heat altogether, you can leave out the peppers. Skip the chips and serve them with these Air Fryer Tostones for a true island vibe.

    Get Recipe

  • Stovetop Double-Stack Cheeseburgers

    Stovetop Burgers with Cheese
    Nick Evans

    Nothing tops a homemade burger for quality and taste. Just whip out the skillet and have at it. I like to make the "secret sauce" for this burger recipe a day ahead and store it in the fridge. The flavors have time to sit and mingle making a flavorful sauce.

    Get Recipe

  • Jim's Famous Burger

    Side view of a hamburger with toppings.
    Lori Rice

    This classic burger comes with an all-American steak sauce mixed into it. Try swapping out the rosemary for thyme or sage. You can even use dried herbs (reduce the amount to 2 teaspoons) if you don't have fresh.

    Get Recipe

  • Herbed Turkey Burger

    Turkey Burger with Rosemary and Thyme

    Thigh and leg meat help keep these turkey burgers moist. Be sure not to overwork the mix as that will make your burgers tough. Double this recipe and freeze half of the burgers to cook up at a later date.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 17 of 30 below.

  • Spicy Turkey and Zucchini Burger

    Spicy Turkey and Zucchini Burger
    Elise Bauer

    Zucchini season is here and shredding them into your turkey burger mix guarantees a juicier patty. The blend of spices like cumin and cayenne, as well as fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, make this a burger you're bound to crave again and again.

    Get Recipe

  • Spicy Grilled Turkey Burger with Coleslaw

    Spicy Turkey Burger with Coleslaw
    Elise Bauer

    You can use white or dark meat for these turkey burgers, but I like a mix of both. Adjust the degree of spiciness with a few more (or less if you don’t like things that spicy) shakes of hot sauce. I'm a spicy girl myself.

    Get Recipe

  • Turkey Zucchini Burger with Garlic Mayo

    Turkey Zucchini Burger with Garlic Mayo
    Elise Bauer

    Here's another great burger for the summer zucchini that may be springing up in your garden. This recipe also makes great use of fresh herbs from the garden. Mix the garlic mayo a day or two ahead and store it in a covered container in the fridge.

    Get Recipe

  • Danish Pork Burgers

    Danish Pork Burgers
    Elise Bauer

    If you haven't jumped on the pork burger train, I implore you to come aboard. These onion-laced patties are so flavorful, they don't even need a bun. Swap the saltine crackers here for buttery crackers (like Ritz) or even crushed pretzels.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 21 of 30 below.

  • German Pork Burger

    German Pork Burger
    Elise Bauer

    Flavored like your favorite sausages, this burger is speckled with caraway seeds and topped with sauerkraut. Go all out with the German theme and serve these burgers on a bretzel (German pretzel rolls) instead of a plain bun.

    Get Recipe

  • Hawaiian Pork Burger

    Hawaiian Pork Burger
    Elise Bauer

    Pineapple may not belong on pizza, but it definitely belongs on this Hawaiian pork burger. Don't fret if you don't have a grill; the burger and all of its components are skillet or grill pan-friendly.  

    Get Recipe

  • Tuna Burgers with Dill Olive Mayo

    Canned Tuna Burgers
    Leela Cyd Ross

    Tuna fish salad gets all the love, but this burger is coming for the title. It's filled with veggies and is a little messy to eat. Don't skimp on that dill olive mayo, either. Like many other sauces, it's make-ahead friendly and tastes better the longer it sits.

    Get Recipe

  • Salmon Burgers with Chive and Lemon Mayonnaise

    Perfect salmon burger on a wooden board.
    Sally Vargas.

    These quick and easy salmon burgers are going to be the talk of the town at your next burger bash. They can be cooked on the stovetop or grill (your choice) and are slathered with a zesty lemon and chive mayo. Serve theses to your guests with a simple salad or coleslaw.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 25 of 30 below.

  • Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Mayonnaise

    Easy Black Bean Burgers Recipe
    Sally Vargas

    You'll see that taking the time to make your own veggie burger is well worth it when you bite into this one. Cut down on future prep of these burgers by freezing some of the patties. Veggie burgers freeze well for up to 3 months.

    Get Recipe

  • Curry Spiced Lentil Burgers with Cilantro Chutney

    The best lentil burger is served on a plate with halved grape tomatoes and a spoon of green chutney is resting on the plate next to the burger. A patterned napkin is to the right of the plate and small glass containers of yogurt and chutney are visible above.
    Sally Vargas

    Lentils are the new black—at least for veggie burgers they are. Red lentils have a brighter flavor, which gives these burgers a unique taste. If you can't find red lentils, brown lentils will work just fine.

    Get Recipe

  • Green Goddess Veggie Burgers

    Veggie Burger Recipe with Green Goddess Dressing
    Nick Evans

    What? They named a burger after me?! I kid, I kid. These veggie burgers do have tons of flavor as do I, but they're even better with this herbaceous green goddess sauce. Salads shouldn't have all the sauce fun, after all.

    Get Recipe

  • Grilled Eggplant Sandwich

    eggplant sandwich
    Elise Bauer

    Though this is a veggie burger, it will give you major pizza vibes. The fresh basil and vinegar-marinated onions will give you a whole new perspective on what an amazing veggie burger tastes like. You can even serve this burger on ciabatta rolls if you’d like.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 29 of 30 below.

  • Pesto White Bean Veggie Burgers

    Veggie Burgers with White Beans
    Megan Gordon

    Black beans aren't the only ones that are great for veggie burgers. Cannellini beans are what give the inside of these patties a smooth texture. Pulsing it with cooked brown rice gives them that heartiness we all expect from a great burger. This is a satisfying patty for both meat eaters and vegetarians.

    Get Recipe

  • Portobello Mushroom Burger

    Portobello Mushroom Burger
    Elise Bauer

    The sun-dried tomatoes add a punch of acidity, and the spinach and sautéed onions round out this patty into something worthy of wowing even the staunchest of carnivores. Grill these outdoors or on your stovetop grill pan. 

    Get Recipe