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“A hamburger is warm and fragrant and juicy. A hamburger is soft and non-threatening. It personifies the Great Mother herself, who has nourished us from the beginning.”

via Real Simple Dan Robbins Dec.1983

When men gather around a grill swapping stories, summer initiation rituals bloom in full force. There’s just something about burgers that say “Welcome home,” and for our family, this time of year means months of meals featuring the World’s Best Hamburgers.

How many of you shared some grilling time this weekend? Yes, I thought so. Such a wonderful part of the weekend, wasn’t it?

There’s something about the experience of grilling that just satisfies so many senses and by using our charcoal grill, those senses are elevated even a step further.

(Now, don’t get me wrong, this summer I am in the market for a mega size gas grill, but I will enjoy our Weber charcoal grill each and every day until I find my new one. It has a cool gas initiated turn on feauture for the charcoal.)

As hamburgers lay on that grill, they are a blank canvas: art waiting to be decorated.

I was shocked when I asked our 6’4″ 285 pound son if he could top his burger with ANY topping in the whole world, what would he slasher on top.

He mentioned, “I honestly think I would just go Classic Style.” (Your choice of Mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, sliced pickle, on slightly toasted bun)

I responded to that with, “How come you never order that when we are paying at a restaurant?” (He loves to go with the most expensive burger choice when eating out.) 🙂
His favorite is the Whisky River BBQ Burger from Red Robin, which is basted with their signature Whiskey River® BBQ Sauce and lasso’d together with Cheddar cheese, crispy onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes & mayo.

Next time you grill out, let the creative “juices” fly.

Here are just a few to get you thinking outside the box. I started brainstorming by thinking locally in how we might top our burgers dictated from the flavors of my two home states, but this is just a start.

What are some of your Favorite Ways to Top Burgers?

(Please share in the comments)

    • Wisconsin Cheeseburger
      • : Wisconsin Cheese, Horseradish, Sauerkraut, Tomatoes, Lettuce (yes, a combo that is surprisingly good from German roots)
    • North Carolina Burger
      • : Coleslaw, Chili, Cheese, chopped onions and ketchup  or mustard.
    • Mexican Style Burger
      • : Guacamole, Salsa, Monterey Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, and jalapenos for extra kick.
    • Bacon and Egg Burger:
      • With raising chickens, I’m always using eggs in new ways. Topping a burger with a fried egg, tomato and bacon is so yummy.
    • Buffalo Burger:
      • Buffalo sauce, Blue Cheese, salt and pepper
    • Philly Burger:
      • American cheese (or go all out with Cheese Whiz – shh), grilled onions, mushrooms and green peppers.
    • Cajun Burger:
      • Seasoned ground beef grilled with Cajun spices, spiced up with Jalapeno cheese, chili mayonnaise and Pico de Gallo sauce.
    • Spicy Burger:
      • jack cheese melted on a lean ground beef burger with jalapeno peppers and onions.
    • Pepperoni Pizza Burger:
      •   Melted Mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, pizza sauce and choice of favorite topping (black olives, onions etc.)
    • Caesar Burger:
      • Ground beef seasoned with garlic and black pepper, served on a crusty roll, accented with Caesar dressing, romaine lettuce and avocado slices.
    • Bruschetta Burger:

Italian seasoned ground beef with fresh tomato and basil, served on toasted garlic French bread.

Or try a few recipes with a more detailed twist:

“Hamburger” Club Sandwich

1 pound lean ground beef
12 slices white bread, toasted
mayonnaise
shredded lettuce
8 thin slices tomato
12 slices bacon, cooked crisp
1 1/3 cup sweet pickle slices

Make each sandwich with a slice of toast spread with mayonnaise, a layer of lettuce, tomato and bacon slices, a second slice of toast, pickles, hamburger and a third slice of toast. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally and garnish with more pickle slices

Savory Burgers

1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp horseradish
1 tsp prepared mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Mix all together and form into 6 patties.

Now it’s time to share your favorite burger toppings and I’ll add them to my list.

What have you been cooking up for Tasty Tuesday? (Share your recipe and link back to your specific url and link directly back to this blog in your post)