20 easy ways to make your burgers even better using things you already have in your kitchen

Erin McDowellMay 29, 2024, 06:36 IST

Thousand Island dressing adds tanginess to a classic cheeseburger.The Image Party/Shutterstock

Grinding your own meat allows you to customize how lean or fatty your burger is.
Blue cheese, grilled pineapple, or avocado will add a lot of flavor to a classic hamburger.

When it comes to crafting the perfect burger, you don't have to stick with basic cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Burgers are one of the most popular foods in America. According to a 2023 report by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, 79% of Americans order burgers at restaurants at least once a month. Grilling season also peaks in the summer months, leading to more at-home burger and ground-meat sales.

This Memorial Day weekend, you can spice up a classic burger using toppings and ingredients you might already have in your fridge or pantry, like avocado, egg, boxed mac and cheese, or arugula.

Here are 20 ways to make your burgers even better using things you already have in your kitchen.

Grinding your own meat is a way to ensure you're getting high-quality ground meat for your burgers.

A person grinding meat.Image Source/Getty Images

Add bacon bits to your ground beef.

Bacon.Nataliya Arzamasova/Shutterstock

You can also add vegetables like mushrooms.

Chopping mushrooms.iStock

Worcestershire sauce adds tang to beef.

Worcestershire sauce.kazoka/Shutterstock

Minced garlic also adds a lot of flavor to beef.

Garlic cloves.Shutterstock

Using a high-quality bun can also make all the difference.

A burger and fries.Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty Images

A quick aioli or special sauce makes a great addition to burgers.

Special sauce.Paul_Brighton/Shutterstock

Thousand Island dressing is another way to kick up the flavor profile of a classic cheeseburger.

A double cheeseburger with Thousand Island dressing.The Image Party/Shutterstock

Blue cheese will also bring a burst of flavor.

A burger with blue cheese and arugula.Anastasia Izofatova/Shutterstock

Top your burgers with peanut butter, or mix it directly into the ground beef.

Peanut butter.Shutterstock

Melt some garlic butter on top.

Garlic butter.Elfgradost/Shutterstock

Onions are a staple and can be either added as toppings or mixed into the burger meat.

A person chopping onions.iStock

Avocado slices make a great addition to burgers.

Avocado.MSPhotographic/Shutterstock

Arugula adds freshness and a peppery flavor to your burger.

A burger with arugula.aleksandr talancev/Shutterstock

Grilled pineapple slices or fresh pineapple salsa adds a tropical, citrusy flavor that is a surprisingly delicious addition to burgers.

Hamburger with grilled pineapple.Rus32/Getty Images

Adding a fried egg takes any burger to the next level.

A burger topped with a fried egg.Polupoltinov/Shutterstock

Pickled onions add a sour tang to burgers, and they are easy to prepare.

Pickled red onion.DPRM/Shutterstock

Leftover pulled pork can add extra meatiness to a classic burger.

Burger with pulled pork.LauriPatterson/Getty Images

You could also whip up some boxed mac and cheese to add to your burger.

A burger topped with macaroni and cheese.INSIDER

One final cooking tip: Using the whole grill can make sure your burgers are cooked perfectly.

Burgers cooking on a grill.iStock

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