Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Our Best Ideas for Cheeseburgers
Every hamburger lover knows that a burger tastes better with a slice of cheese. Whether it’s Swiss, cheddar, pepper Jack or mozzarella, any grilled patty is better with a bit of ooey, gooey cheese. But that’s not the only topping a cheeseburger should have — these versatile sandwiches can be topped with anything from sliced jalapeños to creamy peanut butter (yes, peanut butter). The best part? Most cheeseburgers can be ready and on the table in about a half hour, which makes them a hearty and irresistible option for busy weeknight meals. They’re even better for feeding a crowd, and these recipes are perfect for a backyard barbecue. Not sure how to grill the perfect burger? Check out our guide for more tips and tricks.
This is a classic burger that gets its crunch factor from a big handful of potato chips layered between the hamburger and the bun. The crispy chips combine with melty cheese, all of which soak into the juicy burger with each bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and fun burger for folks of all ages.
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Juicy Lucy
This mega-stuffed burger is easy to whip up. Simply make two balls out of seasoned beef, then flatten them into patties. Top one with two slices of American cheese, then form the patties around the cheese. Cook in a hot cast iron skillet and serve on a soft bun with your favorite condiments.
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Photo: Matt Armendariz
3 / 22
Bacon Cheeseburger Crescent Ring
Flaky crescent dough surrounds a hearty filling of seasoned beef, bacon and melted cheese, creating a fun twist on a classic burger. Finished with burger-inspired toppings and dipping sauce, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser for parties, game days or family meals.
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Photo: Renee Comet
4 / 22
Bacon Cheeseburger Garbage Bread
Savory ground beef, crispy bacon, melty American cheese and classic burger toppings are wrapped in pizza dough and baked until golden. Served with a tangy burger sauce, it’s a crowd-pleasing mashup that’s perfect for summer!
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Photo: Kana Okada ©
5 / 22
Perfect Beef Burgers
True burger lovers know that it doesn’t take much to craft the perfect cheeseburger. This recipe is proof of that: with just 5 ingredients, our classic beef burger is easy and satisfying. We use 80% lean ground beef chuck to make sure the burgers are juicy and full of flavor.
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Cheyenne Burger
Packed with bold flavor from ingredients like ancho chile powder, paprika, Dijon mustard, chipotle in adobo and Worcestershire sauce, these burgers juicy and flavorful. Turkey meat makes them lighter than ground beef burgers, and the meat easily soaks up the flavors that its cooked in. Top with homemade onion rings for some irresistible crunch.
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Photo: Caitlin Ochs
7 / 22
The Best Bacon Cheeseburgers
While we love a grilled cheeseburger, this one is our go-to for all seasons. Instead of making a typical patty, we smash the meat in a super-hot cast-iron pan to get crispy, ruffled edges. Once you smash your burgers this way, you'll never go back! We top them with all the fixings, including our perfectly balanced special sauce. It's what we consider an iconic burger.
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Miami Burger
This fun spin on a traditional hamburger is like a combination of a Cuban sandwich and a hamburger. Simply swap out the roast pork for a burger, then top with smoked ham, mayonnaise, tangy mustard, dill pickles and Swiss cheese. Press the assembled burger to achieve the same crispy texture that Cuban sandwiches are known for.
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Bacon Cheese Burger
Super easy and packed with hearty flavor, these simple burgers get topped with crispy bacon and a bit of cheese. Juicy tomatoes add moisture and fresh flavor to every bite, while crisp lettuce helps balance out the richness from the beef.
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Louisiana Burger
This hearty burger gets topped with a tangy homemade mayonnaise. Hot sauce, mustard, cornichons, green onion and parsley combine to create a zesty sauce that balances out the rich beef. Ham, onions and potato chips make for a hearty topping filled with complex textures.
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Philly Burger
Bobby likes his Philly cheesesteaks with lots of pickled hot peppers, so it's only natural that he'd load them on his Philly Burger, too. And, we're pretty sure that once you give it a try, you'll like loading your burger up, too!
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Southwest Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers can be whipped up in just 25 minutes, which makes them an easy dinner option for busy weeknights. The ground turkey meat gets seasoned with garlic, shallot, thyme, cilantro and jalapeno pepper then cooked to perfection in a hot pan. Top the burgers with crispy bacon and some pepper jack cheese for a juicy burger that’s smoky and spicy.
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Photo: Antonis Achilleos
13 / 22
Barcelona Burgers
These burgers are packed with vibrant ingredients that boldly balance out the rich flavors in ground beef. Jarred roasted red peppers, olives, Manchego cheese and garlic are key to adding bright flavor to these fun burgers. Better yet, the burger is sandwiched between two pieces of toasted olive bread for even more tangy flavor.
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Arthur Avenue Burger
Inspired by Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, home to some of New York City’s most authentic Southern Italian fare, this burger is packed with Italian flavor. A crispy frico made from Fontina cheese takes the place of traditional melted cheese, and a garlic and chile-infused ketchup kicks up the flavor even more.
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Photo: Kang Kim ©
15 / 22
Almost-Famous Animal-Style Burger
This In-N-Out-inspired burger takes its flavor profile from one of the chain’s most famous options. “Animal Style” is the restaurant’s code for a patty grilled in mustard and served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions and an extra helping of their signature sauce. This is our version!
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Guberburgers
Ground beef and peanut butter might sound like an unlikely combination, but this burger proves they go together beautifully. The nutty, toasty flavor of the peanut butter cuts through the rich fattiness of the ground beef, making for a complex and fully flavored hamburger.
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Photo: Kana Okada ©
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Portobello Turkey Burger
If you’re looking for an easy way to lighten up your traditional cheeseburger, try swapping out the beef for ground turkey. The mildly-flavored meat easily soaks up the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with. Toppings like Manchego cheese and Portobello mushroom caps make it even more filing.
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Wild Mushroom-Cheddar Burger
A blend of mixed mushrooms is one of the most flavorful toppings for any hamburger. The earthy, musty flavor from the mushrooms perfectly balances out the fatty richness from the ground beef with some fresh, vegetal flavor. Shallots, thyme and parsley help add extra freshness.
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Photo: Ryan Liebe
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Queso-Stuffed Burgers
For this take on a Juicy Lucy, we seasoned the meat with cumin and chipotle, then added tomato, chiles and scallions to the cheese center to mimic queso flavors. Try topping the burger with avocado, guacamole, or chipotle mayonnaise — or even more cheese!
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Huntsman Burger
Quick, simple and easy, this hearty burger makes for a mouthwatering dinner. It’s not our typical cheeseburger though; this recipe gets topped with ooey, gooey Huntsman cheese. A layered combination of Double Gloucester and Stilton, it’s packed with bold flavor that pairs perfectly with rich ground beef.
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Santa Fe Burger
Inspired by the flavors of the Southwest, this is a hearty cheeseburger that’s packed with spice. A luscious, gooey queso sauce made with Monterey Jack cheese takes the place of sliced cheese and makes a secure bed for roasted and diced poblano chiles. Blue corn tortilla chips give the burger an unexpected salty bite.
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Manchego Pork Burger
We love stuffed burgers, and this one is oozing with gooey Manchego cheese. Ground pork takes the place of ground beef in this recipe, so it’s a unique spin on the traditional burger. Ground coriander, cumin, allspice, and paprika add bold, vibrant flavor to every bite.
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