Now that grilling season has returned, it’s time to talk about hamburgers. Grilling hamburgers is one of my favorite meals for 4 reasons:

1. They are quick and easy
2. The whole family loves them
3. They are affordable (compared to other meats…)
4. They are ridiculously versatile

While a good old American cheeseburger certainly gets me salivating (I’m actually drooling right now and it is 8 am!), there are so many delicious, creative ways to grill a burger that there is no longer a reason to reach “burger overload,” as my kids put it, by mid-July. 

Instead, you can quickly, easily — painlessly, even — bang together a different burger experience once or twice a week and never reach an end to your burger variety.

Here are a few of my top favorites that work with a bun or without — for those of us saving our carbs for … beverages … ahem.

American Burger Plus

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You can change your entire burger experience instantly with caramelized onions and mushrooms. Slice a sweet, yellow onion and a package of baby bella mushrooms, lay them out on some aluminum foil with olive oil right on the grill and you’ll have zero cleanup. The high heat from the grill cooks them quickly so make sure you turn them occasionally with a pair of tongs. 

This is my go-to burger variation, especially when I’m going bunless, so I like to buy the “heavy duty” aluminum foil for the grill. Be careful not to rip the foil while you’re cooking because then the olive oil will spill and create flare ups. 

If I add cheese, I like Swiss for its mildness or a creamy gouda, both of which you can now buy pre-sliced. But to be honest, I find this is a great cheeseless burger experience best complimented by some A-1 sauce.

California Burger

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Sometimes when I eat a burger, I like to pretend that I’m making a healthy decision and not just one based on my craving for meat. In these moments, I buy ground hamburger that is at least 90% lean. But less fat in the burger also means less flavor. 

So I pair a leaner meat with slices of avocado that add back in the healthy fat my body needs, plus a creamy, cool texture that is heavenly. 

When I mix the hamburger meat, I stir in feta cheese crumbles, which adds a salty pop to my burger. Grill until your desired level of doneness, and then top with slices of avocado, tomato, and a handful of mixed greens. When I use a bun for this burger, I always choose something sturdy like a kaiser roll because the avocado has a tendency to slide and the kaiser helps contain the whole meal.

Sophisticated Burger

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There are backyard bbqs with burgers and dogs and kids running all over the place. And then there are backyard bbqs with chilled wines and candles and real plates. When you want the latter, but don’t feel like splurging for steak and lobster tails, you can serve a sophisticated burger with adult tastes in mind. 

Naturally, a sophisticated burger requires a few more ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 ½ pounds of ground sirloin
• 1 pound of lean ground chuck
• Tangy blue cheese, such as blue stilton, roquefort, or gorgonzola
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tbsps burgundy wine
• 1 tbsp dijon or grainy mustard
• 3 sprigs fresh parsley, minced
• 6 sprigs fresh basil, minced
• ½ tsp fresh ground pepper
• Sea salt

And here’s what you do:

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, garlic, Worcestershire, 2 tbsps wine, mustard, parsley, basil, and pepper.

Step 2: Add the meat and mix together well with your hands. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add in the remaining wine. Divide into 6-8 patties.

Step 3: Season both sides with salt and pepper. 

Step 4: Sear both sides quickly over high heat (400° or higher) and then move to a cooler side and cook 4-5 minutes each side.

Step 5: Add cheese in the last minute of cooking and remove from heat when the cheese just begins to melt.

A sophisticated burger requires a sophisticated bun, so I like to use a large brioche bun. I brush them with butter and grill lightly over a medium flame.

Layer some mixed greens on the bottom bun, then top with your burger and you will have a sophisticated, yet easy to prepare meal that your guests will rave about.

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