Go Beyond Beef Burgers — Weekend Cookout

Instead of beef burgers, serve deliciously juice and tender chicken or seafood burgers at your weekend cookout using Food Network's easy recipes.

Traditional beef burgers are, of course, a summer classic, but when the old standby proves predictable and perhaps even boring, it’s time to look to other between-the-bun creations to dress your grilling menu. Swapping in ground chicken, turkey or pork instead of everyday beef delivers the same meaty bite you’re used to, but it also offers new tastes and textures. Seafood, too, works well in patty form, especially when you pair it with complementary toppings.

Food stylist: Stephana Bottom
Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

KO_FN_04SalmonBurger1_027.tif

Food stylist: Stephana Bottom Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

Photo by: Kana Okada ©2011, Kana Okada

Kana Okada, 2011, Kana Okada

Food Network Magazine lets family-friendly fish shine in its Perfect Salmon Burgers, a top-rated dish made moist and flavorful, thanks to a binding mixture of mustard, mayonnaise, lemon juice and breadcrumbs. Serve these dressed-up fish sandwiches as you would a seafood dinner: with a topping of creamy tartar sauce for the most tried-and-true taste.

A sandwhich made of chicken topped with coleslaw on a small white plate with dark blue edging

A sandwhich made of chicken topped with coleslaw on a small white plate with dark blue edging

Photo by: Tina Rupp

Tina Rupp

Instead of enjoying crab cakes on their own, serve them sandwich style with a crunchy topping using Food Network Magazine‘s recipe for Creole Crab Burgers. Start with the crab cake of your choice — Tyler’s easy recipe is a go-to pick — and finish it on a hearty roll with a cabbage-onion slaw laced with parsley and cayenne.

When the craving for juicy meat just can’t be ignored, look to Rachael’s BBQ Chicken Burgers with Slaw instead of relying on the usual beef burger. After combining ground chicken with a barbecue-inspired blend of garlic, onions, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, she forms the mixture into patties and sautees the burgers for just a few minutes. Top each with a sweet and tangy slaw of shredded cabbage, honey and sweet pickle relish to complete this five-star 30-minute meal.

Need more ideas? Fill out your cookout menu with Guacamole Salad, a side of Texas-Style Potato Salad, Raspberry Lemonade and Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce.

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