Burgers

Charrey, grilled beef or lamb, fried chicken, pulled pork, vegetable or vegan “meat”, and perfectly seasoned veggies - there is undoubtedly a burger for every taste. Fresh, toasty buns, punchy-sauces, and crispy toppings are all great drawcards, but perhaps the best thing about a burger is its versatility and ability to be personalized. Thick and juicy, smashed and crisp, double cheese or with extra bacon? We all have our favorite. Homemade sauces and chips can be a nice addition if you’re up for it, or choose to keep things simple with classic condiments and freezer fries - no judgment here! 

While the origins of the hamburger are somewhat disputed, there’s no denying its status as a highlight of US-American cuisine. At its simplest, a burger recipe contains a flavourful grilled or fried protein with salad and sauce, held together in a fresh round bun. 

Beef burgers

It’s a classic for a reason. Juicy, flavorful beef with fresh salad, your favorite condiments and a soft bun. The key is to make sure every element is nailed. Here my colleague Ruby breaks down the perfect classic beef burger, so you can easily recreate it at home. Once you’ve nailed the classic, perhaps you’re ready to try this cool-weather friendly beef burger with red cabbage, pear and lingonberry jam. 

Chicken burger

Fried chicken is a beautiful thing. Here a soft bun gives way to crispy-outside-juicy-inside chicken and everything feels right in the world. These crispy fried chicken sliders nail the concept perfectly, using crushed corn chips to coat the tender chicken pieces. A simple chopped salad and sweet chili mayo round things out perfectly. This 5-ingredient grilled Za’atar chicken burger is a tasty middle-eastern inspired take. The charred chicken and grilled spices make for a moreish, satisfying bite, balanced perfectly with cucumber yogurt. 

Vegetarian & vegan burgers 

Burgers lend themselves well to vegan and vegetarian diets. Gone are the days of bland, mushy veggie patties that fall apart on the first bite. If you’re a fan of umami-rich mushrooms, this vegan pulled mushroom burger will hit the spot. Or perhaps this eggplant katsu burger is more your speed? Halloumi also makes a satisfying vegetarian burger filling thanks to its squeaky, bitey texture and mild flavor. Try this halloumi burger with honey mustard dressing. 

Fish burger

In my mind, the key to a perfect fried fish burger is in the batter. A light, airy and crisp batter is best achieved by using beer (or sparkling water) to introduce bubbles into the mix. This fish and chips burger recipe contains all the tricks you need for a perfect outcome every time. Alternatively, this salmon bagel burger with pea hummus delivers big on rich, salmon-y goodness, balanced with light, bright pea and chickpea purée.

Breakfast burger

A hangover favorite, the breakfast burger is a go-to late morning pick me up. The use of Italian sausage in this breakfast burger means big flavor with no extra seasoning necessary. Custardy barely-set scrambled eggs provide the perfect blanket for your juicy, charred patty. While technically a sandwich, this BLT rightfully deserves a mention. Salty, crispy bacon with sweet tomatoes, lettuce and mayo between two slices of perfectly toasted buttery bread. What more do you want to hear? 

Salads and slaws

How you choose to fill your burger is your business. A classic lettuce-tomato-onion situation usually does the trick. While a quick, creamy slaw fills a different kind of craving, and pairs perfectly with pulled pork or fried chicken. Or perhaps you prefer to keep the salad to a minimum, letting your burger bask in its cheesy, juicy, meaty goodness without the pretense of healthfulness. Like I said, it’s your business.

Sauces

Making your own sauces is an easy, satisfying way to step up your burger game. Whether it’s a classic ketchup, simple sweet chili sauce, tasty barbecue sauce, green tahini dip for your veggie burgers, or silky mayonnaise to smear or any- and everything. I’m also a big fan of aptly named ‘burger sauce’. To make it at home, start with two parts mayo, one part ketchup and little mustard to taste. Sprinkle in your favorite flavorings; hot sauce, garlic powder, jalapeno brine or chopped pickles. It comes together in under five minutes and comes out slightly different each time, depending on your mood.

Chips 

Would you like fries with that? Silly question. Whether you’re a french fry die-hard, or enjoy the chunk of a wedge, no burger is complete without a side of chips. Skip deep-frying in favor of low-fuss oven fries, cut as thin or thick as you like. If you’re looking for a twist, sweet potato fries, eggplant fries and even bell pepper fries all hit the spot alongside your favorite burger combination. Or skip the cook time altogether and opt for a handful of salty potato chips from the packet, the perfect counterpart to this fish and chips burger.