4 Burgers That Taste Gourmet With Just 3 Extra Ingredients
July 11, 2026
If you’re tired of the same cheeseburger every weekend, these simple twists are worth firing up the grill for!
This summer, it’s been my mission to put a spin on classic grilled food. Like burgers, for example. For each one, I started with a basic hamburger and added only three ingredients to create four completely different recipes. I truly believe you’ll want to add each of these to your menu.
I made these burgers on the Current Model G2 Electric Grill, and it made the whole process incredibly easy. They were nice enough to send me this grill at no charge, and I am extremely appreciative. Since the grill is electric, there’s no propane to refill or charcoal to light, and the dual cooking zones let me toast buns while the burgers cooked. I also liked how evenly everything cooked from edge to edge. If you live in an apartment, condo, or somewhere with grilling restrictions, it’s a really convenient way to enjoy outdoor grilling without giving up great results.
Start with the basics
Every recipe starts the same way. Use your favorite hamburger recipe or a ¼-pound ground beef patty along with your favorite burger bun. Each recipe makes one burger, so simply multiply the ingredients for however many you’re serving.
Steakhouse Burger
If your favorite steakhouse served a burger, this is what I’d hope it tasted like. The steak seasoning gives the beef plenty of flavor, while crispy onion rings add crunch and the A1 sauce ties everything together.
PrintSteakhouse Burger
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground beef
- Steak seasoning (Montreal, Chicago Steak, or your favorite)
- ¼ cup thick-shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cooked onion ring
- 2 tablespoons A1 Sauce
- Brioche bun
Instructions
- Form the beef into a patty and season both sides generously with steak seasoning.
- Grill until it reaches your preferred doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, top with the shredded cheddar and let it melt.
- Place the burger on the bottom bun, add the onion ring, spread the A1 sauce on the top bun, and serve.
Pizza Burger
Pizza night meets burger night all on the grill. The combination of Italian cheese, pepperoni, and sun-dried tomato pesto gives every bite the flavor of a slice of pizza.
PrintPizza Burger
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground bee
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- ¼ cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- 8 thick-cut pepperoni slices
- 1½ tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
- Hamburger bun
Instructions
- Season the burger with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Grill to your preferred doneness.
- About two minutes before it’s finished cooking, move it to indirect heat and top with the Italian cheese followed by the pepperoni so everything warms through.
- Spread the pesto on the top bun, add the burger, and serve.
Breakfast Burger
Breakfast for dinner is the most fun, especially when it involves a juicy burger. The runny egg, crispy bacon, and sweet pepper jelly make this one rich, savory, and just a little sweet.
PrintBreakfast Burger
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground beef
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- 1 egg
- 2 slices thick-cut cooked bacon
- 2 tablespoons pepper jelly
- Hamburger bun
Instructions
- Cook the egg in a lightly sprayed skillet over medium heat until the white is set. Carefully flip it, cook briefly, and remove from the pan so the yolk stays runny.
- Season the burger with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and grill until it reaches your preferred doneness.
- Place the burger on the bottom bun, top with the egg and bacon, then spread the pepper jelly on the top bun before assembling.
Jalapeño Popper Burger
If you’re the person who always orders jalapeño poppers as an appetizer, this burger deserves a spot on your grill. The creamy jalapeño cream cheese balances the smoky bacon and spicy peppers without requiring a long list of toppings.
PrintJalapeño Popper Burger
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground beef
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons jalapeño cream cheese
- 2 slices thick-cut cooked bacon
- 4 to 6 sliced pickled jalapeños
- Hamburger bun
Instructions
- Season the burger with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and grill until cooked to your preferred doneness.
- Spread the jalapeño cream cheese onto the top bun.
- Place the burger on the bottom bun, add the bacon, then the jalapeño slices, and finish with the top bun.
Four burgers, endless cookout possibilities
Sometimes all a classic hamburger needs is one simple idea to make it feel brand new. These burgers each use just three extra ingredients, which means they’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner but fun enough for your next backyard cookout. Pick your favorite or make all four and let everyone build the one that sounds best. Chances are you’ll have a hard time choosing a favorite.
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