“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
- North Carolina Burger
- Mexican Style Burger
- Bacon and Egg Burger:
- Buffalo Burger:
- Philly Burger:
- Cajun Burger:
- Spicy Burger:
- Pepperoni Pizza Burger:
- Caesar Burger:
- Bruschetta Burger:
- : Wisconsin Cheese, Horseradish, Sauerkraut, Tomatoes, Lettuce (yes, a combo that is surprisingly good from German roots)
- : Coleslaw, Chili, Cheese, chopped onions and ketchup or mustard.
- : Guacamole, Salsa, Monterey Jack Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, and jalapenos for extra kick.
- 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 sauce, Blue Cheese, salt and pepper
- American cheese (or go all out with Cheese Whiz – shh), grilled onions, mushrooms and green peppers.
- Seasoned ground beef grilled with Cajun spices, spiced up with Jalapeno cheese, chili mayonnaise and Pico de Gallo sauce.
- jack cheese melted on a lean ground beef burger with jalapeno peppers and onions.
- Melted Mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, pizza sauce and choice of favorite topping (black olives, onions etc.)
- Ground beef seasoned with garlic and black pepper, served on a crusty roll, accented with Caesar dressing, romaine lettuce and avocado slices.
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)
🙂 actually, Carolina style is Chili, Slaw, Mustard and Onions 🙂
Love the different combos you have listed though!
Just a plain cheeseburger for me – meat, cheese and a gluten free bun! Thanks for hosting!
Oh my goodness! It must take you forever to grill meat/veggies for your family and guests on that little charcoal grill. How have you managed all these years without a gas grill? I think I’m shocked by that. LOL. Although charcoal and/or wood definitely tastes better.
I will take your shock away. We did have a gas grill years ago, but then it died and we went to a Weber charcoal one that has an ignited gas starter button. Our new one is bigger than this one, but yes, I definitely need to go back to gas because honestly, I won’t go through the commotion of getting all the charcoal done right. I pass it off to my hubby or son and if they aren’t around, no grilling for me. 🙂
My favorite way to enjoy a burger is with swiss cheese, bacon and bbq sauce! At my favorite burger joint where I used to live, this was called the Wild Western! It also had a fried onion ring on top. Yum!
It doesn’t really matter. As long as it has BACON.
Topping a burger with a fried egg, tomato, bacon (like you mentioned), plus crispy onions and bbq sauce is my fave way. Yummo!
Love these toppings…wow~ Thank you so much!
Your Tu hop is awesome. I was wondering if I could link a DIY craft this week rather than recipe….if that is okay, I will come back and do so.
Thanks and have a blessed day.~
Oh how I love grilling season and the versatility of burgers. Jen, I’m right there with you loving a variety of way to top burgers. Though I’m not a vegetarian and I love a mean lean beef burger, I’ve been making these triple bean veggie burgers that I’m wild about. I’ve been sharing them like mad with my freezer cooking classes and everyone loves them, I had to share with you. You must try if you like Bocca burgers. They are so much cheaper and tastier, plus freezer friendly. Enjoy, thanks for the burger party.
You just HAD to mention Red Robin… now I’m hungry! I was planning steak for dinner tonight, but now I’m thinking burgers. (Shhh… don’t tell my hubby! He’d pick the steak!)