Here is an overview of the different options from our archives, which you can of course supplement with your favorite items from the store.
There’s a protein here for every burger lover, with or without meat.
Cheddar and Bacon Burger, above. Instead of putting them on top, cheddar and bacon go into the beef mix, giving you a smoky flavor and chunks of crunchy cheese.
Perfect Smash Cheeseburgers† A cast iron skillet on the grill makes for crispy, quick-cooking burgers.
Buffalo Chicken Burgers, at the top. These spicy, juicy burgers from Carla Hall made with white meat chicken or turkey channel the spirit of a favorite bar meal into a hearty meal.
Shrimp Burgers With Kimchi† Ginger, scallions, cilantro, and kimchi give this seafood burger bright, pungent flavors.
Superiority Burgers† Try New York chef Brooks Headley’s famous veggie burger at home.
BGR Veggie Burgers† Baking keeps these veggie patties from falling apart. They are full of sweet potato, rice, beans and meatless sausage. Use agave instead of honey to make them vegan.
Sriracha Pork Burgers† The hot sauce goes into the meat as well as a pointed mayo to serve. You won’t be scorched by the heat, but feel free to adjust the amount as needed.
If you don’t want bagged bread, consider one of these serving options.
Cookout Burger and Hot Dog Buns, above. Readers regularly rave about this recipe that can be molded into burgers or hot dogs.
brioche buns† Milk, eggs, and butter enrich the dough for these sandwiches that will soak up all those delectable burger juices.
Beranbaum’s best sandwiches† This recipe from baking authority Rose Levy Beranbaum takes relatively little hands-on time.
If you want texture and flavor, try adding a tempting topping.
Quick pickled jalapeños, above. You just need to let these rest overnight in the fridge before using them to give your burger a kick.
Quick pickled onions† Burgers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of different ways you can use pickled onions.
Red Onion Marmalade† If you prefer your onions on the sweeter side, try this low-and-slow-cooked marmalade.
Pico De Gallo† This fresh salsa is especially a good option for veggie burgers.
‘Hamburger’ Dill Pickle Chips† Be sure to get pickling cucumbers, often called Kirbys, for this recipe.
12 hours Tomatoes† Consider planting these if you have a tomato bounty this summer.
Make your own hamburger sauce? That’s extra now.
Russian dressing, above. It only takes a few minutes to put this together in the food processor.
Fresh Tomato Ketchup† Here’s Fannie Farmer’s take on the classic condiment.
Blue cheese dressing† The dressing goes just as well with a burger as it does with the steak salad it was designed for.
Spiced Tofu Mayonnaise† This egg-free recipe is ideal for vegan burgers.
Here are some ideas if you’re looking for something to fill the rest of your plate.
Cold Fried Fries, above. Burgers and fries. ‘ said Nina.
Smoked Paprika Chips With Yogurt Ranch Dip† If you prefer French fries over French fries, check out these baked beauties.
New Classic Coleslaw† This lighter, mayo-free slaw uses Greek yogurt for creaminess.
Corn grilled four ways† One of the most popular recipes of all time lets you choose your grilling method.
Lunch box Pasta salad† Keep the cookout vibes going with this veggie-packed recipe.
