Summer means grilling, and the country’s 250th anniversary means taking your Fourth of July recipes up a few notches! Of course any burgers you grill will be delicious and all of your guests will surely enjoy them. But this year’s Independence Day celebration is a great time to try a new recipe, add some fun toppings, and go all out with the grill. With all of summer’s delicious produce, add some of that classic smoky flavor to your burger toppings by grilling them too.
To help add some pizzazz to your grilling lineup, we’ve got everything from elevated classics to fun new flavors and toppings you might not have experienced on a burger before. We’re talking pimento cheese, grilled summer squash, crispy pepperonis, and more. If you like some heat, we’ve got several spicy burgers on this list too. All of these recipes are also easy to customize, so you can tweak them however you’d like or however you think your guests will prefer. We’ve included a couple of vegetarian burgers too, so even your meatless friends and relatives will have something incredible to enjoy at this year’s Fourth of July festivities!
Worcestershire-Glazed Burgers
If you’re looking for an all-around classic burger recipe that’s just right every time, we can’t recommend these Worcestershire-Glazed Burgers enough! These patties are basted with Worcestershire as they’re grilled, so you end up with a juicy burger with plenty of delicious, savory flavor in every bite. Serve with your favorite toppings and watch these burgers fly off the plate.
Get the recipe for Worcestershire-Glazed Burgers.
Green Chile Pimento Cheese Burgers
Add a little Southern decadence to your Fourth of July burgers this year by swapping out your standard cheese and replacing it with pimento cheese! It takes burgers to a whole new level. We added mild green Hatch chiles to the pimento cheese for a little extra kick, too. Add quick-pickled onions to the mix and you’ve got a burger that might just be a new summer staple.
Get the recipe for Green Chile Pimento Cheese Burgers.
Mini Portobello Burgers
Don’t forget to add a meatless option to your Independence Day menu for your vegetarian friends and family. While you’ve got the grill fired up for burgers, throw some portobellos on there too. Each mini burger also features tender grilled zucchini, squash, and eggplant. A fun and flavorful tip: brush the tops of the buns with sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds before layering up all the veggies.
Get the recipe for Mini Portobello Burgers.
Beef Burgers with Jalapeños, Cheddar, and Crispy Pepperoni
For your Fourth of July guests who love some spice, these backyard burgers pack a flavorful punch. If you’re looking to add a new burger to your festivities this year, these burgers are just what you need. After grilling patties, the pepperoni is cooked right on the grill too, until it begins to crisp around the edges. Add jalapeños, melty Cheddar, and your favorite toppings, and you’ve got one delicious burger on your hands.
Get the recipe for Beef Burgers with Jalapeños, Cheddar, and Crispy Pepperoni.
Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Blue Cheese–Celery Slaw
If you’re looking for something other than beef for your burgers this Fourth of July and you like a little bit of heat, these Buffalo-sauce-flavored burgers are a crowd-pleaser. They’re basted with wing sauce during the last few minutes of grilling, and then topped with a tangy blue cheese and celery slaw for that classic Buffalo sauce combination.
Get the recipe for Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Blue Cheese–Celery Slaw.
Pork Burgers with Hatch Chiles and Pepper Jack
Another beefless burger option you don’t want to sleep on: pork burgers. And these are extra delicious because chopped bacon is mixed in with the ground pork before grilling. Top ‘em with cheese, green chiles, and cilantro for a tasty burger you’ll want to make again and again all summer long.
Get the recipe for Pork Burgers with Hatch Chiles and Pepper Jack.
Eggplant Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce
Another option for your meatless friends is this Greek-inspired eggplant burger. Before you grill your meat-based burgers, grill sliced eggplants rounds and the red pepper. Once they’ve got a nice char and those beautiful grill lines, layer them up on some buns with a quick, homemade feta-yogurt sauce and lemony ribbons of cucumber. These vegetarian sandwiches are just as delicious as any with meat and have a burst of flavor in every bite.
Get the recipe for Eggplant Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce.
Glazed Bacon-and-Cheese-Filled Burgers
If you want to try a really fun new burger for your Fourth of July get-together this year, how about stuffing the bacon and cheese inside the patty? Surprise! Melty, cheesy deliciousness. These burgers are easier to make than you’d think, too. Form beef into eight equal patties, then make a little mound of cheese and bacon on top. Top with a second patty and pinch to seal the edges. The burgers are covered in an easy spice rub for extra flavor, too. You just can’t go wrong adding cheese and bacon to a burger.
Get the recipe for Glazed Bacon-and-Cheese-Filled Burgers.
