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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Summer Recipes » Everything You Need to Know About Burgers and How to Build-Your-Own Ultimate Burger Bar

    Published: May 30, 2021 / Updated: April 19, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Everything You Need to Know About Burgers and How to Build-Your-Own Ultimate Burger Bar

    5 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    the ultimate burger bar with all the fixings on checkered tablecloth with text overlay
    the ultimate burger bar with all the fixings on checkered tablecloth with text overlay
    the ultimate burger bar with all the fixings on checkered tablecloth with text overlay
    the ultimate burger bar with all the fixings on checkered tablecloth with text overlay

    It's burger season! With a basic burger recipe that you can customize and all the fixings you could want on the side, a burger bar is fun, fast, and simple summer dinner solution at its best! Here, I share almost everything you need to know about burgers to help you build-your-own ultimate burger bar.

    the ultimate burger bar on checkered tablecloth

    Whether you're preparing dinner for your family or planning a summer gathering with friends, burgers are always a great option. And when you want to throw a memorable, fun, creative BBQ gathering, a burger BAR is the way to go!

    In this article, I try to cover all the bases to help you build the ULTIMATE burger bar. Got anything else to add? Let me know in the comments!

    Jump to:
    • What's a Burger Bar?
    • How to make the best burgers
    • Burger Fixings
    • Bun options
    • Build-Your-Own Ultimate Burger
    • Burger FAQs
    • What wine pairs well with burgers?
    • More summer recipes
    • The Ultimate Burger

    What's a Burger Bar?

    Much like a Loaded Pub Chips Bar or a Bacon Bar, a Burger Bar is a buffet-style way of serving this summertime favorite dish. It's a fun way to make the meal itself interactive and get the conversation flowing, and for guests to create the kind of burger they LOVE.

    There are four main components to a build-your-own burger bar:

    1. Burger meat
    2. Condiments
    3. Fixings
    4. Bun

    Let's start by talking about how to make the best burgers.

    How to make the best burgers

    burgers

    There are so many ways to make burger patties these days. Whether you choose ground beef, turkey, chicken, bison, or lamb - or a ground meat alternative - here are some tips to help you form the best burgers.

    • In a large bowl, use a meat chopper to break up the ground meat.
    • Add any mix-ins you want with your burger (spices, oils, sauces, garlic, ginger, etc), then season with salt and pepper.
    • Using your hands, mix all of the ingredients well into the burger meat. Then divide the meat into equal portions and roll each portion in the palms of your hands to form balls. Gently press each one into a 1-inch thick round patty.
    • Gently press your thumb into the center of each patty to leave a slight indentation. You don't want to press too deeply and you don't want to create a hole; just a slight little inverted bump in the center will do. This will help the burger cook up into an even patty, since the center tends to bulge up when cooking.

    Burger Fixings

    burger bar fixings

    Here's a comprehensive list of fixings to help make the ULTIMATE burger bar.

    Condiments

    • Ketchup
    • Mustard
    • BBQ sauce
    • Mayonnaise
    • Fry sauce
    • Garlic Aioli
    • Pesto sauce (try my Easy Spinach Pesto recipe)
    • Teriyaki sauce
    • Soy sauce
    • Tzatziki sauce
    • Marinara sauce

    Best cheeses for burgers

    • Cheddar cheese
    • Provolone cheese
    • Gouda cheese
    • Mozzarella cheese
    • Feta cheese
    • Gruyere cheese
    • Bleu cheese

    Best fruits & veggies for burgers

    • Romaine, butter, red leaf, or iceberg lettuce
    • Microgreens
    • Cabbage/slaw
    • Arugula
    • Mushrooms
    • Sliced raw, caramelized, or crispy onions
    • Minced garlic in the burgers
    • Pineapple
    • Sautéed red pepper slices
    • Pickles, relish
    • Sauerkraut

    Meat

    • Bacon (heck yes!)
    • Sliced pepperoni

    Bun options

    • Classic hamburger bun
    • Ciabatta bread
    • Brioche buns
    • Focaccia (try my Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread recipe!)
    • Kaiser roll
    • Pretzel bun
    • Hawaiian rolls

    Build-Your-Own Ultimate Burger

    the ultimate burger

    Now that you have the basic ingredients to building the best burger bar ever, it's time for guests to put them all together. Here are some ideas for inspiration!

    Hawaiian burgers: burger meat + pineapple slice + teriyaki sauce + Asian slaw

    Greek burgers: burger meat +smashed feta cheese + cucumber slices + tzatziki sauce

    Italian burgers: burger meat + Provolone cheese + pasta or pizza sauce

    Filipino burgers: burger meat + mango slices + adobo sauce

    Vegan burgers: portobello mushroom + red pepper slices + Romaine lettuce + vegan cheese + vegan ranch sauce

    Classic American burgers: burger meat + American cheese and Cheddar cheese + iceberg lettuce + pickles + ketchup + bun with mayonnaise.

    Swiss burger: burger meat + Gruyere cheese + sautéed mushrooms + Kaiser roll

    German burger: burger meat + sauerkraut or cabbage slaw + mustard with pretzel roll

    BBQ Bacon Burger - get the full recipe for this classic BBQ Bacon Burger here!

    Burger FAQs

    burger and side of corn on checkered tablecloth
    What type of meat makes the best burgers?

    This is definitely a taste preference. Some people love beef burgers, which are more traditional in the United States. My family prefers turkey burgers, for the lower fat content but still flavorful meat. Some love lamb burgers for a more gamey flavor. And some prefer meat alternatives like Beyond Burger or portobello mushroom burgers.

    What style of beef makes the best burgers?

    Ground beef is the most common and tends to be the leanest style. Beef chuck is typically used as classic burger meat and it also has the most fat. Sirloin tends to be the most expensive, but it also has amazing flavor.

    What is the secret to juicy burgers?

    The juiciest burgers start with the right meat. Look for beef that's an 80/20 blend. You need some fat to add that juiciness to the burgers.

    What does adding egg to burgers do?

    Eggs act as a binder to help create structure in burgers. They bind all of the other ingredients together so that your burgers don't fall apart while cooking.

    How do I know the burgers are done?

    Beef burgers are cooked through when a thermometer inserted into the center of the burger reads 160°F. Turkey burgers and chicken burgers are done when a thermometer inserted into the center of the burger meat reads 165°F.

    Can I make burgers ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make burger patties up to one day in advance. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

    What's the best way to store leftover burgers?

    Store leftover cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator on their own, without any fixings or the bun, for up to four (4) days. You can also freeze cooked burger meat in freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers for up to two months. 

    What wine pairs well with burgers?

    If you're making beef burgers, reach for a red wine that has medium to high tannins, to stand up to the richness of the meat. Malbecs, Tempranillos, Syrahs, and Cabernet Sauvignons all pair well with beef burgers.

    Turkey burgers pair well with lighter red wines, such as Pinot Noir, or white wines such as dry Riesling and Pinot Gris.

    Veggie burgers like black bean burgers and portobello mushroom burgers pair well with red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

    More summer recipes

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    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    the ultimate burger with meat, cheese, tomatoes, pickls, bun, on a plate on checkered tablecloth

    The Ultimate Burger

    5 from 6 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 15 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    Here's how to build the best burger. Add your fave toppings, condiments, and fixings!
    Servings: 6 burgers
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Equipment

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Meat Chopper
    • Basting/Pastry Brush
    • Outdoor Grill
    • Heat-proof Spatula

    Ingredients

    • avocado oil or olive oil, for greasing the grill
    • 1 pound burger meat of your choice such as ground beef, turkey, bison, or lamb
    • mix-ins of your choice such as minced garlic, ginger, herbs, spices, sauces
    • kosher salt
    • ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Using a basting/pastry brush, lightly oil the grill with olive oil or avocado oil. Pre-heat your grill to high heat, around 400°F.
    • In a large bowl, use a meat chopper to break up the ground meat.
    • Add any mix-ins you want with your burger (spices, oils, sauces, garlic, ginger, etc), then season with salt and pepper.
    • Using your hands, mix all of the ingredients well into the burger meat. Then divide the meat into equal portions and roll each portion in the palms of your hands to form balls. Gently flatten each ball to form a 1-inch thick round patty.
    • Gently press your thumb into the center of each patty to leave a slight indentation. You don't want to press too deeply and you don't want to create a hole; just a slight little inverted bump in the center will do. This will help the burger cook up into an even patty, since the center tends to bulge up when cooking.
    • Carefully place the patties onto the main section of the grill and close the lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, checking halfway through. As soon as the bottom half is browned and cooked, use a spatula to flip the burgers over. Close the lid and cook until done through to your preferred taste.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead Tips: you can make burger patties up to one day in advance. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
    Storing leftovers: Store leftover cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator on their own, without any fixings or the bun, for up to four (4) days. You can also freeze cooked burger meat in freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers for up to two months. 
    Grilling Tips: Beef burgers are cooked through when a thermometer inserted into the center of the burger reads 160°F. Turkey burgers and chicken burgers are done when a thermometer inserted into the center of the burger meat reads 165°F.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    « Pasta with Bacon and Peas (Dairy-Free)
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Anjali says

        June 04, 2021 at 3:34 pm

        5 stars
        Love the idea of doing a burger bar the next time we have an outdoor picnic or get together!! This is great for accommodating a bunch of different dietary restrictions which is always the case when we get together with family and friends!

        Reply
      2. Lisa Huff says

        June 04, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        5 stars
        Whoah so many great tips and topping ideas! Perfect for summer BBQs and parties!

        Reply
      3. Jen says

        June 04, 2021 at 3:03 pm

        5 stars
        This makes me so hungry for burgers! It's my favorite summer meal. I can't wait to try the Greek burgers with feta and tzatziki sauce.

        Reply
      4. Maike says

        June 04, 2021 at 3:02 pm

        5 stars
        Oh my goodness, I love these burger ideas. They will be perfect for my husband's birthday in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll print up a little menu with the different combinations. Thank you for the inspiration!

        Reply
      5. Alisa Infanti says

        June 04, 2021 at 2:34 pm

        5 stars
        This is such a great read for anyone who is planning a barbecue

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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