25 Big, Juicy Burgers Built for Backyard BBQ Season

Burgers are the backbone of backyard BBQ season. You could keep it simple with a plain beef patty, but why stop there when the grill’s already hot? This is the time to stack things high, stuff them with cheese, and try combos that would never fly indoors. From classic beef to lamb, salmon, turkey, and even chickpeas, these burgers bring something exciting to the table. They’re messy, bold, and built for summer. If your cookout needs a main event, one of these should do the job.

BBQ Beef Beet Burgers

These burgers take your standard beef patty up a notch with the earthy sweetness of beets, creamy goat cheese, and smashed avocado on top. They’re colorful, bold, and built for a backyard cookout that doesn’t play it safe.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Beef Beet Burgers

Blueberry BBQ Brie Burger

This burger walks the line between sweet and savory in the best way. The blueberry BBQ sauce adds a pop of tangy flavor, and creamy brie keeps it rich. Stack it with bacon and arugula, and you’ve got a serious contender for burger of the summer.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry BBQ Brie Burger

Cheddar Cauliflower Burgers

A great choice when you want a meatless burger that still holds its own. The cheddar gives it punch, the cauliflower keeps it hearty, and the tangy pickled cabbage and pesto on top take it somewhere fresh and totally grill-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cauliflower Burgers

Elk Burgers

Lean, flavorful elk makes a juicy burger that doesn’t need a lot of extras. Season it simply, throw it on the grill, and you’ll have a burger that feels a little more interesting than the usual suspects without being fussy.
Get the Recipe: Elk Burgers

Bison Burgers

Bison is naturally rich and lean, so these burgers stay juicy without being greasy. Topped with sharp cheddar and a no-nonsense burger sauce, they’re perfect for backyard BBQ season when you want something classic with a little edge.
Get the Recipe: Bison Burgers

Grilled Halloumi Burgers

These burgers mix ground lamb with fresh herbs and top it all with grilled halloumi, caramelized onions, and sun-dried tomato pesto. It’s a big flavor move that brings serious summer energy to the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Halloumi Burgers

Indian Chicken Burgers

Juicy ground chicken spiced with Indian flavors gets paired with a cool cucumber yogurt slaw. These burgers bring the flavor without going over the top, and they’re a great pick when beef just isn’t hitting.
Get the Recipe: Indian Chicken Burgers

Spicy Bacon Chickpea Burgers

Chickpeas, bacon, and spices come together for a burger that’s got heat, crunch, and a little smokiness. It’s not pretending to be a meat copycat—it’s doing its own thing and doing it well.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Bacon Chickpea Burgers

Turkey Burger Sliders

These sliders are proof that turkey burgers don’t have to be bland. They’re juicy, seasoned just right, and small enough that you can stack your plate without committing to just one flavor. Great for feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Burger Sliders

Bacon Blue Cheese Burger with Roasted Garlic Aioli

This burger goes big with blue cheese, bacon jam, and roasted garlic aioli, all piled on top of a juicy patty. It’s messy in the best way and made for anyone who wants serious flavor between the buns.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Blue Cheese Burger with Roasted Garlic Aioli

Feta Lamb Burgers & Lemon Mint Aioli

These lamb burgers pack in a ton of flavor with feta mixed into the patty and a lemon mint aioli that keeps things fresh. They cook up fast and work great when you want something that feels a little more special but still backyard ready.
Get the Recipe: Feta Lamb Burgers & Lemon Mint Aioli

Venison Burgers

Venison makes a burger that’s rich, flavorful, and just different enough to turn heads at the grill. These cook quickly and hold their shape well, so you can focus on the toppings and not worry about a dry, crumbly patty.
Get the Recipe: Venison Burgers

Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Gorgonzola and buffalo meet in this bold burger that’s all about big summer flavor. Stack it on a pretzel bun for extra bite, and you’ve got a burger that stands out without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

These turkey burgers skip the grill and still turn out juicy. They’re great if you’re working with limited space or just don’t want to babysit the flames. Toss on your favorite toppings and call it dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Juicy Chicken Burgers

These chicken burgers stay tender and juicy thanks to smart toppings like beet hummus and avocado. They’re great for summer BBQs where you want something lighter that still eats like a real burger.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Chicken Burgers

Alaskan Salmon Burgers

These salmon burgers go big with melted cheddar, peppered bacon, and a punchy mayo that brings it all together. If you’re looking for something fresh off the grill but not beef, this one checks every box.
Get the Recipe: Alaskan Salmon Burgers

Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger

Wagyu beef brings serious richness to this burger, and it only gets better with wasabi mayo, gruyere, and caramelized onions. It’s not the cheapest patty on the grill, but it’s definitely one people will talk about.
Get the Recipe: Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger

Bacon Egg Brooklyn Burger

This burger leans into breakfast with fried eggs, melty cheese, and crispy bacon stacked high. It’s big, messy, and built for a summer BBQ that’s doing more than the usual.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Brooklyn Burger

Easy Mediterranean Hamburgers

Ground beef meets Mediterranean flavors like roasted red pepper, feta, and arugula. It’s a simple way to mix things up without getting too far from the backyard burger vibe.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mediterranean Hamburgers

Easy Greek Burger

This burger loads up on tzatziki, roasted peppers, and sharp red onion for a fresh Greek spin. It’s fast, flavorful, and perfect for hot days when heavy just won’t cut it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Greek Burger

Juicy Lucy Cowgirl Cheeseburger

This burger is stuffed with cheese from the inside out and finished with bold flavors that give it serious cowboy energy. The patty stays ultra-juicy thanks to the cheesy center, and it’s loaded up with all the toppings you’d expect from a burger built for BBQ season. This one’s not messing around — it’s big, hearty, and made to impress.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Lucy Cowgirl Cheeseburger

Whiskey Burgers

These burgers bring the flavor with a sweet and savory whiskey glaze that clings to every bite. Topped with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and melted cheddar, they’re bold enough to hold their own at any cookout. If you want a burger that hits hard and leaves people asking for the recipe, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Whiskey Burgers

Grilled Onion Bacon Cheddar Burger

This burger keeps things classic but dials up the flavor with Coca-Cola caramelized onions and thick strips of bacon layered over melted cheddar. It’s the kind of burger that brings people to the table fast, and it fits right in at any summer cookout with a cooler full of cold drinks nearby.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Onion Bacon Cheddar Burger

Elvis Burger

This one goes full summer chaos, in a good way. You’ve got a juicy burger topped with peanut butter, crispy bacon, and caramelized banana. It sounds like too much, but somehow it just works. This is the kind of burger that steals the show and turns into a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Elvis Burger