National Hamburger Day is one of the signs of approaching summer. And, of course, that means grilling season too! There aren’t many ways to celebrate Hamburger Day wrong. All you need is some meat and a bun. But we thought we’d take it a step further. Since there’s a whole day dedicated to this American icon, why not make it a showstopper?
Well, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned cheeseburger, but you’ll probably be cooking those up a billion times this summer. So today we have 11 fresh, unusual recipes for you to try this Hamburger Day. And, who knows? Maybe some of them will be a hit with your family and leave them clamoring for more.
#1 The Mexican burger
Mexican burgers, or “hamburguesa Mexicana,” as they’re called, are similar to our cheeseburgers. But the difference is that they add ham. Yes, ham. Seems obvious, right? How did we not think of this before? Add a bit of avocado, salsa, and some jalapenos for an extra punch of Mexicana.
#2 Sweet potato burgers
Wanting something meatless? Then this sweet potato hamburger recipe from How Sweet Eats might be just the thing. You could add any topping you want, but according to the creator of this recipe, roasted garlic, avocado, and caramelized onions are the way to go.
#3 Thai turkey burgers
For you Asian cuisine lovers, here’s a burger that’s sure to make your mouth water. Top it with a little peanut sauce and some Asian coleslaw and you have an international burger that deserves to be included on any Hamburger Day menu in the USA.
#4 The breakfast burger
Since it’s Hamburger Day…why not hamburgers all day? To create a breakfast burger, simply cut a plain glazed or sourcream donut in half. Layer on your hamburger and cheese, and top it all off with crispy bacon. It’s that simple. Hungry yet?
#5 Middle Eastern lamb burgers
Though there are many version of this recipe, we think this version from Bon Appetempt looks delicious. Heavily-spiced lamb burgers with tahini sauce, tomatoes, cucumber, and onions, all wrapped up in a pita. Tasty!
#6 Pizza burgers
Yes, you read that right. Pizza hamburgers! These are perfect for children who aren’t into hamburgers yet. And there’s no reason we adults can’t indulge as well. A slab of mozzarella and a few slices of pepperoni will do the trick. You could get even more fancy and top with pizza sauce, peppers, and mushrooms. Just tweaking it a little to each family member’s tastes gives these hamburgers a fun and easy twist that everyone is sure to love.
#7 The Australian burger
Though true Australian toppings are hotly disputed in the culinary world, one thing everyone agrees is essential is beets. Never thought of putting sliced beets on a hamburger? Apparently, it’s quite tasty. If you’re not into the hamburger-and-beets-only idea, you might try adding a fried egg, onions, grilled pineapple, or bacon.
#8 Cuban burgers
This recipe from Taste of Home is enough to make you drool. The burgers themselves are a mixture of beef, pork, and lemon juice, topped with Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles, and ham. If that’s not a scrumptious combination, we don’t know what is.
#9 Thanksgiving turkey burger
Whether you’re craving a good Thanksgiving dinner halfway through the year or not, this burger is irresistible. Made with ground turkey, it offers an herbed mayonnaise and a cranberry sauce topping.
#10 Cowboy burger
To create a cowboy burger, top your burger with items like blue cheese, bacon, barbeque sauce, and French onions. While you might have to hold the onions, this makes a perfect hamburger for picky children (but it’s fun for the whole family too).
#11 Apple cheddar pork burger
This recipe from Tidy Mom is just what it sounds like – a pork burger with apples and cheese. The apples and cheese are actually part of the burger mixture. Top the creation off with more cheese and enjoy!
Bonus toppings
- Barbecue potato chips
- Basil
- Feta cheese
- Pepperjack cheese
- Mushroom and provolone
- Candied bacon
- Teriyaki sauce
Happy Hamburger Day
We hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through the wonderful land of hamburgers. Fire up the grill and get cooking. Perfect your recipe ahead of time, or grill up a bunch of samples on Hamburger Day itself. The main thing is to have fun and enjoy celebrating this amazing food with the people you love. Want more tips to help you get ready for summer? Check out our guide to creating a summer porch the whole family can enjoy on the hot days!