29 Epic Burgers You Need To Make This Summer

There’s nothing that screams summertime more than the smell of burgers cooking on a grill. No matter what your dietary requirements are, burgers can be modified to suit everyone’s tastes.

We have rounded up a selection of 25 epic burgers that you need to make this summer. They have been divided into 4 categories - meat, fish, veggie, and vegan.

This ensures that there is something for everyone and no one is left out. 

Meat

Portobello Chicken Burger

Simple seasoned grilled chicken added to a portobello mushroom bun makes for a delicious protein-packed burger. Tons of flavor, an easy and fast preparation, and everyone will love this meal!

Easy Homemade Smashed Burgers

A classic and always popular burger, this recipe is fast, easy, and delicious. Ideal when made as sliders, but perfect as a full-sized burger to serve with your favorite side of fries!

Bacon Cheeseburger Crunchwrap

This spin on a cheeseburger is a great choice for a super fun meal that kids will absolutely love. It's a perfect combination of fun fast food with a classic sandwich!

Lamb kebab burger

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Lamb is not one of the most popular burger meats, but this does not mean it is not delicious. It is moist and succulent meat that will make an amazing summer barbeque food.

Reminiscent of kebab shops, this burger is a much healthier alternative. 

We recommend topping the burger with garlic mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, chili sauce, and sliced dill pickles. These are ideal served with traditional fries. 

Nacho burger

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These are loaded burgers, made to be reminiscent of the taste of a tray of nachos. The burgers are classic hamburgers, and nothing special needs to be done to the patties. 

We recommend topping the burgers with slices of cheese. For a leveled-up version, make some nacho cheese and pour it on top, raclette style.

Spread the burger buns with chipotle mayo and guacamole. Add in some lettuce, salsa, chopped cilantro leaves, and a few crushed-up nacho chips.

French onion cheeseburger

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If you love French onion soup, then this burger will be perfect for you. It is super simple to make and uses ready-made burger patties.

All you have to do is caramelize onions in butter and oil over a medium heat for around 15 minutes. Add in some soft brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and wholegrain mustard. 

When the burgers have been cooked through, top with some Gruyere cheese and allow it to melt. Top with the caramelized onion mixture and some peppery watercress leaves. 

Lamb and chickpea pitta burger

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This burger will give you a taste of the Mediterranean. Somewhat reminiscent of a kebab, this burger is leveled up with the addition of mint and cumin as flavorings.

Chickpeas are used to bulk out the patty and provide some additional fiber. 

Serve the burger in a piece of toasted pitta bread with hummus and roasted red peppers. Sprinkle with some pomegranate seeds and include some lettuce.

Apple and mustard pork burger

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The flavors of this burger draw on the classic British combination of roasted pork and apple sauce. They are incredibly simple to make and cheap to boot.

The patties are bulked out with the addition of apples and breadcrumbs. They are flavored with onion, mustard, parsley, and seasonings.

We recommend serving these burgers with rocket instead of lettuce. A great side dish is roasted new potatoes drizzled in a homemade tzatziki. 

Poultry

Chicken katsu curry burger

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This Japanese-inspired burger is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Chicken breasts are left to marinate in a brine for a few hours.

They are dipped in egg and then coated in panko breadcrumbs and rice flour. The chicken is then fried until crisp and golden brown. 

The burgers are topped with katsu mayonnaise, lettuce, spring onions, and radish. You may be able to find katsu mayo in stores, or you can make your own. 

Mexican chicken burger

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This burger is made with a chicken breast as the main filling. It is flattened and marinated in a mixture of chipotle paste and lime juice.

This is then topped with a homemade guacamole containing cherry tomatoes, garlic, lime, and jalapeno. 

You could add some cheese and cilantro if you wish to finish the burger off. This is delicious accompanied by Mexican potatoes - spicy fried potatoes with a sour cream dipping sauce. 

Turkey, zucchini, and feta burgers

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These burgers are made using lean turkey mince, providing a lower fat alternative to traditional hamburgers. The burgers are bulked out with the addition of crumbled feta cheese.

They are flavored with garlic, mint, chili, sumac, and lemon for a fresh and Mediterranean flavor profile. Spiralized courgette is then added to the mix and formed into patties. 

We recommend topping the burgers with a tomato salad and dressed rocket leaves. Serve alongside carrot fries and harissa couscous. 

Jerk chicken burger

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This Jamaican-inspired burger will be a roaring success with anyone who enjoys a kick of spice. The chicken breasts will need to marinate in a mixture of oil, thyme, lime juice, and jerk seasoning. 

They should be topped with sliced fresh mango, tomato, and lettuce. Mango salsa, mayonnaise, and ketchup are all good sauce choices. They are delicious served with a fresh slaw and carrot fries.

Duck confit burger

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This is a very high-class burger and should be served on a brioche bun for the full effect.

You will need to cook the confit duck according to the package instructions, before shredding it with forks. 

Spread a layer of butter over the brioche buns and toast until crispy. Cover with onion marmalade and Dijon mustard before topping with the shredded confit duck.

Top with some lettuce or watercress leaves before serving.

Fish

Crispy Rice Salmon Burger

This is so good and super unique!  Make a bun out of rice that is fried, then fill it with a simple smoked salmon burger mix that is packed with flavor.  You can't beat how delicious this recipe is!

Prawn and salmon burgers

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These burgers are very high in Omega-3s, a fatty acid that is vital for optimal health. Omega-3s have been shown to have a close link to brain health and functionality, particularly in girls.

To make the burgers, blend prawns, salmon, spring onions, lemons, and coriander to a coarse paste. Add in some whole prawns and form into patties.

Serve the burgers with mayonnaise, chili sauce, lettuce, and cucumber. Add some lemon juice to the mayonnaise for an extra vibrant kick. 

Sesame fish burger

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This burger can be made using whatever fillets of fish you have on hand. Cod, pollock, and haddock are all great options for this burger.

You should coat it in flour and egg before covering it in a mixture of sesame seeds and breadcrumbs. 

Serve the burgers with mayonnaise, avocado, and some lettuce. Combine the avocado with lime juice and cilantro before adding to the burger. 

Tuna burger

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These burgers are made from a fresh tuna steak, that is chopped into a mince. You should then marinate the tuna in a sauce made from ginger, garlic, cilantro, and soy sauce.

Shape the mixture into patties and freeze for 10 minutes. 

Fry them gently in a pan for a couple of minutes on each side. We recommend serving these patties inside buns with tomato, avocado, and lettuce.

If you prefer your tuna more cooked, keep it in the pan for longer.

Thai salmon burgers

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The Thai salmon burgers are filled with blended skinless salmon fillets that have been combined with mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, curry paste, ginger, cilantro, and seasonings.

These are shaped into patties and fried for 3-4 minutes on each side.

These burgers are best served in a seeded bun that has been lightly toasted.

Top the salmon patties with a fresh slaw made from mayonnaise, lime juice, sugar, vinegar, carrot, radish, apple, cabbage, and cilantro.

Complement this with some creamy avocado, red onion slices, rocket, and sweet chili sauce. 

Chip shop burger

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This burger combines all of the classic British chip shop flavors into one convenient package. The burger patty is made from skinless fillets of haddock or cod, lightly battered and fried until golden and crispy. 

The fried fish should be served in buns on top of homemade minted mushy peas. Add in a little lettuce and some homemade tangy tartare sauce.

Veggie

Miso burgers with mint and pomegranate slaw

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These burgers are made primarily from chickpeas. They are bulked out with bulgur wheat and carrots. The patties are flavored with onion, garlic, chili, cumin, lime, coriander, and white miso paste.

They are absolutely delicious when served in a crusty whole meal roll. 

We recommend topping the burgers with a white cabbage, mint, and pomegranate slaw. Serve the burgers with lime wedges and mayonnaise.

They go perfectly with a light salad, such as a cucumber and mango salad. 

Indian burger

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To make this burger, you can use store-bought veggie burger patties, or you can make your own if you have more time on your hands.

Make a salsa using a finely chopped red onion, cucumber, tomato, and coriander. 

Spread mango chutney and raita over the burger bun halves. Serve the patties topped with the salsa you have made. For a little extra crunch, you can sprinkle a handful of Bombay mix on top of the patties. 

Green spinach burger

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These healthy veggie burgers are made with frozen spinach for a hit of green goodness. It is a great way to trick your kids into eating their vegetables. They will be none the wiser.

The burger patties are bulked out with white bread, cheddar cheese, and bound with eggs. 

Top these with mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, and tomato slices. They are perfect served alongside sweet potato fries to make a rainbow meal for your kids. 

Mushroom burgers with roasted garlic mayo

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These burgers are the classic veggie mushroom burger that features a Portobello mushroom as the patty. Top with a mixture of tomato puree, breadcrumbs, and seasoning that has been cooked down. 

Roast some garlic and make up a homemade garlic mayonnaise. Caramelize some onions over a medium heat with sugar and apple cider vinegar.

Cook the Portobello mushrooms until tender and then remove from the heat.

Serve topped with the garlic mayo, lettuce, caramelized onions, and grated cheese. 

Cheesy bean burger

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This is a super cheap burger

recipe, filled with fiber and protein. It is ideal for a low-cost family meal that everyone will enjoy.

The patties are made using a tin of butter beans, but you can substitute this for any beans that you have on hand. The patties are flavored with onion, garlic, and Wensleydale cheese. 

Coat the patties in egg, flour, and breadcrumbs before gently frying. Top with some slow roasted cherry tomatoes and a few leaves of rocket before serving.

Onion chutney or marmalade will also complement this burger beautifully. 

Vegan

Falafel burger

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Falafels are a classic vegan food and are so versatile that they can fit into any meal with ease. Falafel burgers are essentially just giant, flattened falafels - who can go wrong with that really?

The spiced chickpea patties are full of protein and fiber while being low in fat and sugar. 

We suggest serving the burgers in toasted sesame seed buns, spread thickly with hummus and mango chutney or sweet chili sauce. Top with lettuce, tomato, and sliced dill pickles. 

Beetroot and quinoa burgers

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These burgers have a pink hue courtesy of the beetroot in the recipe. They are high in fiber and contain a decent amount of protein.

The patties are made from onion, cumin, garlic, quinoa, beetroot, cilantro, and flaxseed to bind. These are then baked in the oven for a lower fat alternative to frying. 

Make a salad dressing from beetroot pickling liquid, lemon juice, oil, and yogurt. Toss this over rocket leaves and dress the burgers with it before serving. 

Sweet potato burger

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These are incredibly flavorful burger patties. They are based on a blend of cumin-roasted sweet potatoes and brown rice.

These are combined with roasted sunflower seeds, onion, basil, and seasonings before being cooked in the oven.

The patties are topped with an avocado basil lime salsa. Serve with lettuce, sweet potato chips, and mustard cress.

They are delicious accompanied by celeriac fries, chargrilled sweetcorn salsa, and a homemade tomato ketchup sauce. 

Smoked tofu burger

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Tofu is a really underrated vegan protein source when cooked correctly. These burgers are incredibly high in protein and fiber. They are a little labor-intensive to make, but the payoff is so worth it.

Your vegan guests will be raving about these burgers for many years to come. The tofu is combined with roasted sweet potatoes, onion, garlic, spices, and cashews.

These patties are then coated in a mustard flavored batter and fried.

The patties are then topped with a homemade slaw. This is made from red cabbage, carrot, cilantro, lime, and sesame seeds.

Serve the burgers topped with this slaw in a bun drizzled with chili mayonnaise. 

Black bean burger

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Black beans are a staple protein source for vegetarians and vegans. They are a hugely versatile bean and complement a wide range of flavor profiles.

The patties are flavored with leek, thyme, Dijon mustard, tamari, and hazelnuts. They are bulked out with the inclusion of mushrooms, tofu, kale, and brown rice.

Serve these patties with a burger sauce made from vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped cornichons, and a pinch of cayenne. Add some tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce to the buns before serving.