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How to make burgers extra special?

Burgers are a classic American meal that are loved by many. While a simple burger with beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a bun is delicious, it’s easy to take burgers from basic to gourmet with some extra touches. Read on to learn tips, tricks and creative ways to make your burgers extra flavorful, juicy and fun!

What Makes a Burger Special?

There are a few key elements that set a great burger apart from an average one:

  • High-quality beef – Using fresh, flavorful ground beef makes a big difference. Opt for chuck, sirloin or brisket blends.
  • Signature toppings – Creative toppings like avocado, bacon, fried eggs, pineapple, etc. elevate the burger.
  • Artisanal buns – Brioche, pretzel and ciabatta buns add flair over regular hamburger buns.
  • Condiments – Spicy mayo, aiolis, homemade ketchup and unique sauces bring extra flavor.
  • Melty cheese – Ooey-gooey cheese like cheddar, Swiss, bleu and Havarti is a must.
  • Fresh veggies – Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and more provide crunch.

Taking the time to grill burgers to juicy perfection and thoughtfully assembling each component is also key. Now let’s look at specific ways to make basic burgers extraordinary.

Tips for Making Burgers Special

1. Choose Quality Beef

The beef is the star of any burger, so buy the best quality you can. Look for the following when purchasing ground beef:

  • At least 80% lean
  • Bright red color with no graying or brown spots
  • Minimal visible fat
  • Ground chuck, sirloin or brisket
  • Freshly ground at the butcher counter

You can also ask your butcher to custom grind a beef blend for you. Splurging on prime beef like wagyu or dry-aged patties is another luxury option. The better the beef, the better your burger will be!

2. Add Savory Mix-Ins

Blending the beef with savory ingredients before patties are formed adds tons of flavor. Try mixing in any of the following:

  • Crumbled blue cheese
  • Caramelized onions
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped mushrooms
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Chopped jalapeños
  • BBQ sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce

Aim for around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mix-ins per pound of ground beef. Gently mix them in without overworking the meat so burgers stay juicy.

3. Go Bunless

For a fun, low-carb twist, try wrapping your burgers in lettuce leaves, stuffed Portobello caps or even grilled cheese sandwiches instead of buns!

4. Smash ‘Em Thin

Thin, crispy smashed burgers have risen in popularity for their great texture and beefy flavor. Simply form balls of beef, place them in a hot cast iron skillet, and firmly press down with a spatula. Cook about 2 minutes per side. Yum!

5. Make Stuffed Burgers

Up the ante by stuffing patties with flavorful ingredients like these options:

  • Feta and spinach
  • Jalapeños and cheddar
  • Caramelized onions and bacon
  • Blue cheese and hot wing sauce
  • Pesto and roasted red peppers

Form stuffed burgers by placing fillings on one patty and covering with another patty sealed around the edges.

6. Experiment With Global Flavors

Think outside the box by incorporating international flavors, like:

  • Greek: Tzatziki, feta, roasted red peppers, spinach
  • Mexican: Guacamole, spicy chili sauce, fried jalapeños
  • Indian: Curry powder, mango chutney, cilantro
  • Tex-Mex: Chili, avocado, tortilla chips
  • Hawaiian: Grilled pineapple, teriyaki, sweet chili sauce

7. Grill Them Perfectly

Burgers need to be cooked over high heat until deeply browned on the outside while keeping a pink, juicy interior. Use these tips for grilling success:

  • Allow meat to come to room temp before grilling.
  • Brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
  • Grill 4-5 minutes per side for 1/2 inch burgers.
  • Add cheese during last 1-2 minutes to melt.
  • Let burgers rest 5 minutes before serving.

8. Toast Those Buns

Lightly toasting buns on the grill or in the oven makes them nicely crispy and helps prevent sogginess.

9. Craft Creative Condiments

Unique sauces and spreads take burgers up a notch. Whip up recipes for:

  • Spicy sriracha mayo
  • Black garlic aioli
  • Chimichurri
  • Chipotle ranch
  • Honey mustard sauce
  • Roasted garlic spread
  • Avocado lime crema

10. Stack Thoughtfully

Pay attention to burger architecture. Spread sauces on both bun halves, layer veggies next, then cheese and patties. This prevents slippery sliding and helps each bite contain the full burger flavor.

Creative Burger Inspiration

Now that you know how to make basic burgers awesome, get inspired by these drool-worthy specialty burger ideas:

The Classic

Cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mustard, ketchup – optimized!

The Bacon Bomb

Beef, bacon, cheddar, BBQ sauce, onion rings

The Breakfast Burger

Beef, fried egg, bacon, cheddar, avocado, sriracha mayo

The Hawaiian

Beef, grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce, swiss, lettuce, onion

The Pub

Beef, irish cheddar, stout onion jam, sliced beer-battered onion rings

The Greek

Lamb, feta, tzatziki, tomato, onion, spinach

The Jalapeño Popper

Beef, jalapeños, cream cheese, cheddar, onion rings

The Waffle Stack

Patties sandwiched between toasted waffles with maple aioli

The Pizza

Beef, marinara sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, basil

Top 10 Burger Topping Combinations

Burger Name Patty Cheese Veggies/Extras Sauce
The All-American Beef American Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle Ketchup, mustard
The Italian Stallion Beef Mozzarella Roasted red peppers, basil Pesto mayo
The French Onion Beef Swiss Caramelized onions Horseradish sauce
The Chili Cheese Beef Cheddar Jalapeños Chili sauce
The Bacon Avocado Beef Pepper jack Bacon, avocado Ranch
The Blue ‘Shroom Beef Blue cheese Sautéed mushrooms Steak sauce
The Hawaiian Beef Swiss Pineapple, teriyaki Sweet chili sauce
The Surf ‘N Turf Beef + crab cake Havarti Guacamole Tartar sauce
The Chicken Parm Chicken Mozzarella Marinara, basil Balsamic glaze
The Bistro Lamb Goat cheese Roasted red pepper Honey Dijon

Conclusion

Burgers are a blank canvas just waiting to be turned into a masterpiece with imagination and the right techniques. Now that you’re armed with tips on selecting quality beef, mixing in savory add-ins, utilizing creative toppings and condiments, and properly grilling, you’re ready to craft restaurant-worthy burgers in your own kitchen that will wow any crowd. The possibilities are endless, so get cooking and take your burgers from boring to gourmet sensations!