Banish Boring Burgers!

Had a burger lately? Chances are good that you have; according to The National Provisioner, 57% of consumers eat burgers at least once a week. There are currently more than 50,000 “burger joints” in the U.S. But while the drive-thru is a convenient option, it’s just as easy to make delicious burgers at home. No culinary degree required!

I’m cooking for myself these days, and find that hamburgers are a quick and easy choice for meals. I keep pre-made patties in the freezer and two or three times a week I just pull one out, pop it on the electric grill and dinner is ready in just a few minutes.

Admittedly, this routine could become a bit monotonous. One of great benefits of burgers, though, is that you don’t have to be a chef to create “designer” versions. It’s easy and fun to change ‘em up with simple add-ins and toppers.

Here are a few of the best burgers I’ve been enjoying lately:

Try these Ultimate TS Burgers

Ultimate Beef Burgers. The super-simple secret to this one is the seasoning: Ultimate Steak Seasoning. Since discovering this perfect blend of bold pepper, sea salt, red bell pepper and paprika, I won’t use anything else in my beef recipes. I simply give both sides of my beef patty with Ultimate Steak Seasoning before grilling.

Tropical Teriyaki Burgers. Mixing Honey Teriyaki Sauce into the beef before forming into patties adds a distinctive flavor that is enhanced after grilling by sweet pineapple slices, crispy bacon and melty cheese.

Tropical Teriyaki Burger

Cowboy Burgers. Yee-haw! I finally found a use for that can of French-fried onions besides green bean casserole. The onion crunch is just the crowning glory of this hearty burger, which also showcases the flavor Smoky Bacon BBQ Sauce.

Cowboy Burger

Fiesta Burgers. I never really “got” the appeal of avocado until Tastefully Simple introduced me to this recipe that added a little fiesta to the mix.

Try these Fiesta Burgers

If you’re not feeling ambitious enough to use a recipe, it’s simple enough just to top your burger with any of a great variety of toppers. Next time you’re feeling creative – and hungry – let the plain hamburger patty become a blank canvas for exciting new flavor combinations. A world of possibilities is as close as your own pantry!