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20 Best-Ever Cheeseburger Recipes

And we're not just talking American slices either!

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shake shackburger with two patties and shack saucepinterest
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

Ask any member of Delish what they're beelining toward at the BBQ, and chances are very high it's a juicy cheeseburger, fresh off the grill. What's not to love (or, uh, be completely obsessed about)? Cheeseburgers are arguably a perfect food; layers of melty cheese, crispy-edged patties, all loaded up with all the best burger toppings. So we thought it was more than time to raise the bar when it comes to making the ultimate, end-all-be-all, best cheeseburgers ever. We're not just talking topping with just sliced American cheese either! We've got plenty of other cheesy cameos ahead in these 20 ultra-clever cheeseburger recipes. (Spoiler: There will be lots of feta, mozzarella, and Parmesan on the menu!)

Our tried-and-true best burger recipe is, without a doubt, the perfect place to start, especially if you're new to frying up a top-notch burger. We've included all the best tips and tricks to achieving a well-seasoned patty ready for topping with cheese. From there, get ready to experiment! Our trials lead us to re-creating some of the great restaurant burgers, but with the added bonus of not having to leave the house, like our copycat Shake Shack burger, copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western cheeseburger, smash burgers, and of course, this copycat Big Mac.

Let it be known that the best cheeseburgers aren't all just beef + cheddar cheese, either. We've found that veggie burgers can be super-satisfying (with a few tweaks), especially when it results in the umami greatness that is our meat lover's veggie burger. Vegans, we got you too! Our Slutty Vegan One Night Stand burger is sure to make all the meat-eaters around you feel pretty jealous, so do yourself a favor and make a few extra for them. šŸ˜‰

1

Classic Cheeseburger

best burger delish
Erik bernstein

There are about a million ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you're cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and pepper before you grill up.

Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.

2

Copycat Shake Shack Burger

shake shackburger with two patties and shack sauce
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

If you've ever eaten at Shake Shack and wondered just what makes their burgers so good, we've got the intel for you: It's the sauce! Specifically, how the pickles are incorporated into it. (Spoiler: They're blended.) Now you know, go forth and put that ish on everything.

Get the Copycat Shake Shack Burger recipe.

3

Smash Burgers

smash burger
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN: FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

If you're unfamiliar, the draw of a smash burger is its SUPER thin patties. Because they are so slim, it's impossible for the ground beef to dry out, but you still get those deliciously crispy, lacy edges. Win win!

Get the Smash Burgers recipe.

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4

JalapeƱo Popper Burgers

jalapeƱo popper burgers
JOEL GOLDBERG

There's nothing better than jalapeƱo popper dip. Therefore, we stuff it in everything we can: pigs in a blanket, egg rolls, chicken, and now burgers. You're welcome!

Get the JalapeƱo Popper Burgers recipe.

5

Chicken Parm Burgers

chicken parm burgers
Erik bernstein

Chicken Parm's not just for a fancy dinner anymore. Instead, simmer ground chicken patties (or beef, no judgement!) in marinara for a chicken Parm burger that's saucy and cheesyā€”and SO much easier to pull off than the Italian classic.

Get the Chicken Parm Burgers recipe.

6

Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers

copycat shake shack shroom burger
Erik bernstein

The cult favorite from the NYC-based chain is the rock star of veggie burgers. Thanks to breaded portobellos and the delicious shake sauce, we bet you won't even miss the meat.

Get the Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers recipe.

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7

Greek Stuffed Turkey Burgers

stuffed burger garlicky feta
Joel goldberg

Cheese lovers, take note: You can stuff your patties (we used ground turkey, but you do you) with a whole square of salty, creamy, herby feta (or our Greek feta dip?). These might just become your favorite spin on a cheese-stuffed burger.

Get the Greek Stuffed Turkey Burgers recipe.

8

Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

air fryer cheeseburger
Emily Hlavac Green

When we went on the quest to make the world's best burger, we really wish we would have tested out our air fryer version then. With the quick cook time, these stay perfectly juicy and basically beg for a melty slice of cheese. Load it up with your favorite toppings and feel like the burger master you are, without all the smoke in your face.

Get the Air Fryer Cheeseburgers recipe.

9

Green Chile Cheeseburgers

green chile cheeseburger
Joel goldberg

When roasted over an open flame, green hatch peppers take on new life, going from crisp and verdant to velvety tender and seductively smoky. You end up with condiment gold, transforming the humble cheeseburger into a transcendent experience between two buns that must be tasted to be believed.

Get the Green Chile Cheeseburgers recipe.

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10

Pizza Burgers

pizza burger
Parker feierbach

These were born when we just couldn't decide between a slice of pizza or a burger and never wanted to have to make the decision again. Like BLT sushi or pizza chicken, the combo just works.

Get the Pizza Burgers recipe.

11

Slutty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger

slutty vegan's one night stand burger
ANDREW BUI

If you think that vegan burgers can't rival meat-based ones, think again. Atlanta-based chain Slutty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger puts the argument to rest with this loaded burger. It's topped with all the fixings, including caramelized red onion, vegan bacon, melty vegan cheese, and a smoky chipotle-lime mayonnaise. Woah!

Get the Slutty Vegan's One Night Stand Burger recipe.

12

Big Mac Salad

big mac salad with big mac sauce, cherry tomatoes, ground beef, and pickles
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

The flavors of a Big Mac canā€™t be beat. Thatā€™s why weā€™ve created our fair share of dishes that reinvent the classic burger, from Big Mac crunchwraps to Big Mac hotdogs, to Big Mac tacos. To make a salad that was anything but boring, we decided to turn the classic Big Mac flavors into a delicious dinner salad.

Get the Big Mac Salad recipe.

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13

Meat Lover's Veggie Burgers

meat lover's veggie burgers
Stuart Tyson/Studio D

Our recipe uses TWO types of umami-rich mushroom goodness for the meatless patties: fresh shiitakes and dried porcini. To avoid the mush factor, we opted for a couple thin, smaller patties rather than one large one. That way, you get nice caramelization on the outside without a thick layer of uncooked patty in the center. Plus, double the patty means double the cheese. See ya never, mushy veggie burgers. āœŒļø

Get the Meat Lover's Veggie Burgers recipe.

14

Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburgers

copycat carl's jr bacon western cheeseburger
Andrew bui

There are a ton of famous fast food burgers, but the Bacon Western Cheeseburger holds a special place in our hearts (and not just because itā€™s really fun to say). Top with tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings, and you're on your way to burger heaven.

Get the Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburgers recipe.

15

Lamb Burgers

best ever lamb burger
Parker feierbach

The feta yogurt sauce on our Greek(-ish) lamb burgers is EVERYTHING. Trust us, you're going to want to slather it on both sides of the bun. If you end up with extra, it also makes the perfect dip for raw veggies or pita chips.

Get the Lamb Burgers recipe.

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16

Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders

pull apart mini cheeseburgers
Parker feierbach

Everyone loves little mini cheeseburgers. But have you ever made them? Flipping a dozen (or more) little patties is maddening. Enter: our brilliant little hack. Instead of forming each individual slider, we go pull-apart style, using a loose cooked ground beef mixture that's seasoned like a good, juicy burger.

Get the Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.

17

No-Bun Bruschetta Burgers

no bun bruschetta burgers
Erik bernstein

Forget all the rumors you've heard about chicken burgers being dry and boring. Thanks to fresh basil, salty Parm, and balsamic vinegar, these have SO. MUCH. FLAVOR. And they're low-carbā€”it just doesn't get much better than that.

Get the No-Bun Bruschetta Burgers recipe.

18

French Onion Soup Burgers

french onion soup burger recipe
Ethan Calabrese

We could write entire poems about French onion soup. If you feel the same, topping your burgers with caramelized onions, cheese, and mushrooms has all that flavor you loveā€”no spoons required.

Get the French Onion Soup Burgers recipe.

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19

Bison Burgers

bison burgers
Parker feierbach

Bison burgers are where it's at this summer. The thick, juicy patty gets topped with buttery caramelized onions and white cheddar for the Best. Burger. Ever.

Get the Bison Burgers recipe.

20

Copycat Big Macs

copycat big mac

Our favorite part of the iconic Big Mac? That Mac sauce. Once a trade secret, all it takes is whisking together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, and ketchup (for that trademark pink color) with vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. It's a versatile condiment that you can put on anything from French fries to eggs.

Get the Copycat Big Macs recipe.

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