The 57 Best Burger Recipes of All Time

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly

These sammies are made with ground chicken patties, but don't let that deter you. They're still rich and flavorful, thanks to being cooked in bacon fat. Use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh for a boost of acidity.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

Canned black beans, mayonnaise and easy store-bought guac make these veggie burgers moist, flavorful and far from the hockey puck-like patties of your past. Might we suggest adding summer corn kernels to the mix?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Sweet, fresh and meaty, all in one Insta-worthy package. Summer peaches (or nectarines) adorned with deep char marks are a stellar topper for this cookout classic. Serve them on brioche or pretzel buns for a fancier feel.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

Packed with starchy spuds and riced cauliflower, they're as nutritious as they are tender. Smashed avocado and homemade spicy mayo take kid-friendly veggie burgers over the top.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Behold: a lighter patty that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Dried herbs and fresh garlic infuse the turkey with tons of flavor, but the tangy, cucumber-yogurt sauce is really the star.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, make ahead

You won't believe how downright juicy these burgers are—despite being totally meatless and plant-based. (Thanks, lentils and Portobellos.) A touch of nutritional yeast gives the shrooms a cheese-like flavor without any dairy.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

They're finished with generous drizzles of ketchup and mustard, but you can sub chipotle mayo, mango guacamole or cotija cheese if you'd prefer. Mold the patties ahead and freeze them for your next Meatless Monday.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, high protein

Garbanzo beans aren’t just for hummus, you know. These burgers are proof of the legume's versatility, so much so that even staunch meat eaters won't object. Top them with tomato, arugula and a generous slather of mayo.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, high protein, crowd-pleaser

In case you're serving barbecue, chops, fish or chicken for a main—but don't want your guests to miss out on beef. They're adorably tiny, so go ahead, have four. 

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly

Picky eaters will be elated to find fresh fries on their plates (and ideally a side of ketchup for dipping). Any protein goes here, so take your pick of beef, bison, turkey, lamb or chicken, or a combination of a few.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Canned beans, carrots and beets are bound with crunchy peanut butter and chia seeds to create an unexpectedly delicious veggie burger. Nix or substitute the cheddar cheese with a plant-based alternative to make the sammy vegan.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein

Way more fun than a fillet, no? The make-ahead coleslaw really drives the picnic vibe home. Ask your supermarket's fishmonger to grind the salmon for you or pulse it in a food processor yourself instead.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, Paleo-friendly, beginner-friendly, gluten free

This gluten-free spin on the viral recipe (which stars "buns" made from pan-fried nests of ramen) uses grated parsnips in place of noodles. The recipe calls for using dark meat turkey for the patties for maximum flavor, but a range of proteins could work here.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy

You’ll want to put the coconut-and-pineapple sauce on everything, from grilled salmon to sticky tofu bites. You can wash them down with typical lemonade, but we urge you to blitz a batch of real-deal piña coladas instead.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

The tender-on-the-inside, firm-on-the-outside, meatless patties are made with sweet potato mash, black beans and grains (either brown rice or quinoa). Walnut or pecan meal holds them together instead of traditional breadcrumbs and egg.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly

Our favorite salad makes for a damn good burger topping. Instead of just topping the burgers with basil leaves, basil pesto is used on the burgers instead, providing both moisture and herbiness to every bite.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly

Don't let its appearance fool you: These handhelds are surprisingly easy to pull off. The herbed cream cheese calls for fresh basil, dill and parsley for freshness, while the sweet-and-smoky seasoning turns the salmon into something spectacular. (P.S.: It'd also taste great on steak.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, low-carb, high protein

Eating keto, low-carb or gluten-free? Think outside the bun with this loaded burger bowl, which boasts everything from grilled summer veggies (like bell pepper, tomato and zucchini) to fresh greens. Drizzle on whatever dressing or vinaigrette you'd like.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Where do we start, the flavor-packed turkey patty (shoutout to fresh ginger, garlic and lemongrass), the crunchy cabbage-carrot slaw or the sriracha mayo? Pickled veggies or cucumber ribbons would add a pop of brightness to the meal.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes, high protein

Guac, fresh pico and two types of cheese (cotija and manchego) await atop this beefy delight. Mashed avocado, a spritz of lime juice and a few dashes of hot sauce seal the deal.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein

These shrimp sammies, made with the help of a food processor, are like biting into a hot summer's day. Serve the tropical coconut-peach salsa atop spicy salmon, guacamole, barbacoa tacos or jerk chicken.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, beginner-friendly

Held together with quinoa and old-fashioned oats, these burgers are impressively filling for being meatless. Slather the buns with tzatziki before placing the patties, or use hummus to keep the meal vegan.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly

Two timeless dishes, one delectable handheld. Instead of paper-thin deli meat, ground turkey takes over. It's topped with usual suspects, like pickles and ketchup, as well as BLT essentials. A smear of mayo couldn't hurt either.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein

This over-the-top masterpiece is giving us all the foodie feels. Take a shortcut by using frozen curly fries instead of making your own—just don't skip the homemade cream cheese-cheddar sauce, spiked with vinegary buffalo sauce.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes marinating time)
• Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead, special occasion-worthy

This burger—courtesy of Coterie member Gaby Dalkin—is equal parts juicy and spicy. Use the sweetest cherry tomatoes you can find at the farmers market to make the jam, which would pair beautifully with cream cheese, charcuterie and steak.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: gluten-free, vegetarian, Paleo-friendly

This handheld wouldn't be possible without the help of a food processor. First, it's used to grind the vegetables into a moldable base for the patties. Then, it's used to break raw almonds into small pieces that can bind the patties together.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, high protein

We'll be loading all our summer sandwiches with chili-garlic mayo from now on, thank you very much. We also love the addition of crunchy, refreshing slaw, dressed with zingy rice vinegar, nutty sesame oil and fresh lime.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein, <30 minutes

Ever wake up immediately craving a burger? Just us? Well, either way, we recommend starting a lazy Sunday with this mix of toasty bread, rich ground beef, shredded cheese and a buttery, over-easy egg. You can thank us later.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly

Held together by toasted cashews, these burgers are baked until firm, then pan-fried for a crusty, browned exterior. They're packed with fiber and plant-based protein, courtesy of chickpeas and lentils.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein

Yes, the O.G. typically stars pork belly, but ground pork is cheaper, easier to work with and just as tasty a base for quick-picked veggies, jalapeños, herbs and spicy mayo.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly

It's begging to be enjoyed on the patio with a glass of white wine. The special sauce is easier than you may expect, and not a copycat Big Mac condiment. It's a simple mix of mayo, lemon juice, dill and mint.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly

The crunchy shaved celery topping cuts right through the spicy buffalo patties. (A drizzle of ranch dressing would help, too.) We'll take extra blue cheese crumbles on ours, please. 

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly

Sharp white cheddar, caramelized onions and sinus-clearing horseradish mayo are a match made in burger-loving heaven. Use wheatless buns to make the burgers gluten-free.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly

Thanks to brown lentils, mushrooms, sunflower seeds and rolled oats, the patties are as soft, savory and flavorful as they are toothsome and intriguingly textured. Make the bruschetta ahead to save time before dinner (and taste it on toasty crostini).

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly, gluten free

We promise you won't miss the bread. And you'll miss the store-bought ketchup even less: The recipe calls for using honey-sweetened, Cajun-inspired ketchup made from scratch instead.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Bring on the potato sticks, ground chorizo and fried eggs. Don’t skimp on the secret sauce, spiked with orange juice for tang, brown sugar for sweetness and sriracha for heat.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

Fresh ginger, sliced scallions and sesame oil go a long way in this low-ingredient recipe. Instead of fries, plate these beauties with kimchi, cauliflower rice and cucumber salad.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly

Sweet summer peaches are cooked down with cabbage, scallions and pantry staples until soft and jammy. It's the ultimate match for chipotle-lime mayo and tender turkey patties.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Count on beets to make a vibrant, photo-ready sammy every time. Substitute the egg with a flax egg to turn the burgers vegan, then top them with all the avocado, sprouts and pickled onions you desire.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Warning: Your friends will beg for the recipe. Meaty portobellos take over for beef. Each cap is crowned with a layer of melted blue cheese and a generous heap of caramelized red wine onions.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

They're not burgers in the traditional sense, but once your guests take a bite, they definitely won't mind. These would taste divine over mashed potatoes or risotto during the colder months.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, low carb

Pasta does not have dibs on pesto. While you may not be able to eat that carby main on keto, chicken burgers, cheese, veggies and herby basil pesto are all on the menu. Bye-bye, buns.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly

The recipe calls for fresh red bell peppers and corn, so it's a great way to use up summer produce. Might we suggest dousing each burger in spicy sriracha cashew cream instead of mustard or mayo?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

No one will turn up their noses at homemade Caesar dressing, especially one this traditional (down to the anchovy paste). Top 'em with store-bought Parmesan crisps in place of humdrum croutons.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, beginner-friendly

When carbs are off the table, turn to an easy lettuce wrap for your sandwiches and handhelds. Make a double batch of the jalapeño aioli for drizzling over salads, eggs, grilled cheeses and steaks.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

Zucchini and chickpeas make a mean base for a vegetarian burger, but the minty yogurt sauce would taste heavenly on lamb patties too. The choice is yours, friends.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein

Shatteringly crisp tonkatsu pork cutlets, sesame cabbage slaw and spicy mustard atop a brioche bun—yup, this sammy is decidedly flawless. Serve the saucy pork pieces over rice with pickled veggies instead of on buns, if you feel so inclined.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients

File this one under Best Ways to Use Up Leftover Rice. Cooked grains meet diced mushrooms and panko for a mild, kid-friendly take on veggie burgers.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly

We've never met an onion ring-topped burger that we didn't like love. Prepare the bacon ahead and use frozen onion rings to cut down on time and effort before dinner.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy

White miso paste, maple syrup and a few pantry staples are the secrets to making the tastiest candied bacon of all time. Assemble the burgers ahead and let them chill in the fridge before dinner to allow the flavors to set.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly

Store-bought seasonings and pantry staples make this unexpected burger come to life with minimal effort. Pureed mango and lime juice in the patties infuse sweet-tart flavor into every bite.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

Brown sugar-bourbon seasoning + shredded cheddar + bottled BBQ sauce = the easiest souped-up burger of all time. Serve them with beer battered onion rings (or whatever frozen kind you like).

• Time Commitment: 14 hours and 30 minutes (includes soaking time)
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Complete with roasted garlic aioli and quick-pickled red onions. Make the recipe ASAP by using canned chickpeas instead of dried, so you won't have to soak them for hours on end.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein

Don't sleep on ground lamb as a protein: It'll elevate any alfresco dinner party or barbecue in a way that ground beef won't. Pickled onions and tangy feta would pair deliciously with the nutty, herby tahini sauce.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly

Cream of mushroom, Worcestershire sauce and meaty mushrooms make these handhelds supremely rich and indulgent. The secret sauce on top—which is made from ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen—is just a bonus.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein

Gourmet beef burgers meet Mexican-style ground chorizo for a doubly filling handheld. They're topped with Monterey Jack cheese for spice and store-bought pico de gallo for freshness. Serve them with plantain or tortilla chips instead of fries.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients

If you often prefer a patty melt to a standard burger, this grilled cheese is right up your alley. Spruce up the recipe by using rye bread instead of whole wheat, or by adding caramelized onions or crumbled bacon to each sammy.