Burgers

The burger is everywhere during the summer season. Whether you're at a deck party, a block party, a stroll along the boardwalk, or a trip to a summer festival, there's no escaping the patty on the bun. The first bite into a grilled, summer burger is usually a delightful return to the tastes of the season, but as the season winds down, it's hard to face another one of those slabs of beef. That is, unless you've found a way to make a more interesting burger. One of the simplest tricks I learned was to add a little salt and pepper to the patty before griling. It's a simple trick, but effective. But there are many other ways to add flavor to your burgers that will leave your guests asking for the recipe. Toppings are one way, but if your basic burger isn't good, a topping won't disguise it. So I offer you a variety of burger recipes to keep that taste of summer exciting until the autumn leaves begin to fall.

Juicy Grilled Burgers - Isn't this the ideal, rather than a tough, shoe leather burger?

Zesty Burgers - These burgers aren't for those who don't like "flavorful" food, as my daughter calls spicy dishes. But I think the additions of horseradish and mustard are a wonderful idea.

Walnut Burgers - Here's a healthy spin on plain beef burgers, but not too healthy!

Extra Special Burgers - These bacon cheeseburgers have the toppings on the inside.

Grilled Stuffed Pork Burgers - These pork patties are stuffed with a mixture including mushrooms, onions, garlic, and seasonings.

Grilled Cuban Style Burgers - The mixture of ground beef and chorizo sausage make these burgers interesting with little effort.

Cheese and Jalapeno Stuffed Burgers - Kind of like a jalapeno popper with meat.

Grilled Herb Burgers - Here's a more subtle way to add flavor to your burgers.

Cajun Burgers - Cajun seasoning and cajun sauce make this recipe a winner.

Biftekia Skharas - Sounds fancy, but it's really a simple recipe for Greek grilled hamburgers.

Tequila Flavored Portobella Mushrooms - I know, to many guests this won't qualify as a burger. But for those who are willing to expand their definition of a burger, this might be a very pleasant surprise.

Cajun Spiced Grilled Portobella Mushrooms - Even vegetarians can get spicy!

Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Tofu - Be sure your grill is very clean and well-oiled prior to grilling tofu.

Turkey Burgers with Cucumber Relish - Here's another healthy alternative to beef burgers.

Andouille and Beef Burgers with Spicy Mayo and Caramelized Onions - This burger won't be the quickest you ever made, but it may just be the tastiest.

Sirloin Burgers with Balsamic Mayo, Mushrooms and Swiss - Here's a nice spin on a classic combo.

Pecan Burger - Not just pecans but bacon, parsley and onions are mixed in with the beef in this recipe.

Happy Grilling!