10 Homemade Burger Recipes to Upgrade Your Next BBQ

There’s nothing wrong with a classic cheeseburger. But sometimes burger night needs a little shake-up, especially when you’ve been reaching for the same cheese slices and bottle of ketchup for years.

These homemade burger recipes bring something different to the table, from chorizo and garlic mayo to fresh mozzarella, tangy goat cheese and tropical teriyaki flavors. There are chicken and turkey options alongside beef and lamb, so you can choose something that suits your crowd.

You don’t need to make all ten, either. Pick one recipe, prepare its toppings before you start cooking and enjoy a burger that feels a little more special than the usual Tuesday-night assembly job.

If you’re feeding friends, our guide to how much party food and drink to buy is a useful starting point for planning the rest of the menu.

1. Chorizo Burgers With Garlic Mayo

Laura in the Kitchen combines ground beef with fresh Mexican chorizo for a burger with plenty of personality. Garlic mayo, lettuce and pickles complete the bun.

Check the sausage type before shopping. This recipe uses fresh Mexican chorizo, rather than firm, cured chorizo intended for slicing.

Get the chorizo burger recipe from Laura in the Kitchen.

2. Caprese Chicken Burgers

The Wooden Skillet takes the familiar combination of mozzarella, tomato and basil and turns it into a chicken burger, finished with balsamic glaze.

Choose this one when you fancy fresh toppings rather than a heavily loaded cheeseburger. Have everything sliced and ready before the patties finish cooking.

Try the Caprese chicken burgers from The Wooden Skillet.

3. Greek-Style Chicken Burgers With Feta and Roasted Pepper

Cristina’s Kitchen adds feta, roasted red pepper and olives to the chicken patties, then builds the burgers with tzatziki and fresh vegetables.

This is a lovely choice for a Mediterranean-inspired meal. Set out the toppings separately so everyone can build their own.

Find the Greek-style chicken burger recipe at Cristina’s Kitchen.

4. Turkey Burgers With Onion and Herbs

Use Real Butter’s turkey burgers include finely chopped red onion, parsley and garlic powder.

Finely chopping the onion is worth the extra minute, particularly when you want neat patties rather than large chunks interrupting every bite. Add your favorite toppings once cooked.

Get the turkey burger recipe from Use Real Butter.

5. Spiced Lamb Burgers

Thomasina Miers’ lamb burgers pair ancho chilli and rosemary with jalapeño-lime yoghurt.

Choose this recipe when you want a change from beef.

Find Thomasina Miers’ lamb burger recipe.

6. Red Wine Burgers With Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese

NeighborFood’s red wine burgers bring together caramelized onions and goat cheese for a richer burger-night option.

This is the one I’d choose for a relaxed dinner with friends. Prepare your accompaniments before cooking so you can serve the burgers without disappearing into the kitchen for another twenty minutes.

Try the red wine burgers from NeighborFood.

7. The Heisenburger With Bacon Jam and Peanut Butter

James vs. Burger’s Breaking Bad-inspired Heisenburger is an adventurous combination of beef, cheese, bacon jam and peanut butter, with themed blue bacon.

It’s a conversation starter for a television night or a burger enthusiast who enjoys unusual combinations. Check for peanut allergies before putting this one on a shared menu.

Explore the Heisenburger recipe from James vs. Burger.

8. California Drive-Thru Style Burgers

Your Homebased Mom’s California-style burgers deliver that takeaway-inspired combination of beef, cheese, burger sauce and caramelized onions.

The onions deserve a little planning time. Read the complete method before starting rather than assuming every component will be ready as quickly as the patties.

Get the California drive-thru style burger recipe.

9. Ranch Burgers With Bacon and Fried Onions

Despite the blog name, Plain Chicken’s ranch burgers are made with beef. Ranch seasoning, cooked bacon and crushed fried onions add flavor to the patties.

This is a useful option when you want the seasoning built into the burger rather than relying on an elaborate tower of toppings.

Find the ranch burger recipe at Plain Chicken.

10. Teriyaki Piña Colada Burgers

Oh, Sweet Basil’s teriyaki piña colada burger brings a tropical twist to the list.

Choose this one when you’re ready to move beyond the usual ketchup-and-mustard routine. Follow the linked recipe for its sauce and topping combination.

Try the teriyaki piña colada burger recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil.

Practical Tips for a Better Burger Night

Prepare the toppings first. Slice vegetables, arrange cheese and make sauces before cooking. Hot burgers shouldn’t have to wait while someone hunts for the chopping board.

Match the bun to the filling. A heavily loaded burger needs a bun that can hold together. Toasting the cut surfaces can help, too.

Follow the recipe’s cooking method. A chicken patty, a turkey burger and a beef burger won’t necessarily behave the same way.

Use a food thermometer. Check doneness against current food-safety guidance for the meat you’re using, rather than relying on color or cooking time alone.

Keep raw and cooked food separate. Have a clean plate and clean utensils ready for the finished burgers.

A wide spatula and a reliable food thermometer are useful burger-night tools. Amazon can be handy for these basics, but you don’t need a cupboard full of gadgets to make a good dinner.

Make a Simple Build-Your-Own Burger Station

Choose one or two patty recipes, then arrange the toppings in small bowls. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, sliced onion, cheese and a couple of sauces give everyone room to customize.

Keep ingredients for specialty recipes clearly labeled, particularly anything containing nuts. Put chilled toppings out close to serving time rather than leaving everything sitting beside a hot barbecue.

Finish with an easy side such as slaw, potato wedges or a green salad. The burger can do the showing off.

Whether you choose a fresh Caprese chicken burger or something loaded with bacon and onions, one new recipe is enough to make burger night feel different. Keep the napkins handy, give yourself permission to make a small mess and enjoy the sort of dinner nobody needs persuading to come to the table for.