Whether you call them burgers or hamburgers, a great one starts with juicy beef, good seasoning and the right toppings. These burger recipes cover everything from old-fashioned backyard burgers to bacon-topped favorites, pork and venison patties, and burger-inspired dinners for nights when you want something different.
Every recipe comes from our kitchen with full directions and notes. If cheese is the main attraction, head to our cheeseburger recipes.
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Quick Picks: Burger Recipes
- Classic and Gourmet Beef Burgers: Best Cowboy Burger, Best Juicy Bourbon Burger
- Pork, Venison and Other Burgers: Best Ground Pork Burgers, Best Venison Burgers
- Air Fryer and Smoker Burgers: How to Cook Hamburgers in the Air Fryer, Smoked Burgers
- Burger-Inspired Dinners and Snacks: Smash Burger Tacos, Burger Bowls
Why Burger Recipes Are Perfect
- Easy and Satisfying: A burger comes together fast and fills everyone up.
- Easy to Customize: Change the cheese, sauce, bun or toppings and you have a whole new burger.
- Great for Any Cooking Method: Cook them on the grill, in the air fryer or on the smoker.
- Perfect for Family and Friends: Burgers are easy to scale up for cookouts and weeknight dinners alike.
- Plenty of Variety: Beef, pork, venison, bacon-topped and burger-inspired dishes mean there is always something new to try.
The Kitchen Divas Formula for Burger Recipes
- Simple Ingredients: Ground meat, seasoning and toppings you already know.
- Juicy Results: Our recipes use the right fat level and cooking tips so burgers stay tender.
- Bold Flavor Ideas: Bourbon, bacon, peanut butter and jalapeno toppings go beyond plain ketchup.
Classic and Gourmet Beef Burgers
Start here for the burgers that earn a spot in your rotation. They range from old-fashioned and cowboy burgers to bacon, peanut butter and mushroom-stuffed versions, so there is a burger for every craving.
Pork, Venison and Other Burgers
Not every burger has to be beef. These patties use ground pork and venison for a different flavor, and they work with the same buns and toppings.
Air Fryer and Smoker Burgers
When you do not want to stand at the grill, these two methods cook burgers in the air fryer or on the smoker, with step-by-step directions for juicy results.
Burger-Inspired Dinners and Snacks
These recipes take burger flavor in new directions, from tacos and bowls to fried mac and cheese patties.
Feeding a crowd? Try our slider recipes or the fast-food favorites in our Big Mac recipes. Want a cozy dinner instead? Browse our classic meatloaf recipes.
Tips for Juicier Burgers
- Handle the meat gently. Overworking the beef makes tough patties.
- Make a dimple. Press a small dent in the center of each patty so it cooks flat instead of puffing up.
- Rest before serving. A few minutes off the heat keeps the juices in the burger.
Burger Recipes FAQs
80/20 ground beef has enough fat to stay juicy and flavorful without drying out on the grill, in the air fryer or on the smoker.
There is no real difference. Both words describe a ground meat patty served on a bun. Hamburger is the older name, and burger is the common short form.
Cook ground beef burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F, measured in the center of the patty with an instant-read thermometer.
Yes. Shape the patties, stack them with parchment between each one, and refrigerate until you are ready to cook. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Make the patties a little wider than the bun, since they shrink as they cook, and avoid pressing the burger down while it cooks.
Not for a classic burger. Good ground beef and seasoning hold together on their own. Binders are better for meatloaf-style burgers.
Cheese, pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato and a good sauce are the classics. Bacon, jalapenos and grilled onions add extra flavor.
Yes. The air fryer cooks burgers quickly with little mess. See our air fryer hamburger recipe above for times and tips.
Try These Burger Recipes
From a classic cowboy burger to pork, venison and burger-inspired dinners, there is a recipe here for every night of the week. Pick one, fire up the grill or the air fryer, and enjoy.
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