Chef John's Ultimate Burger Recipes

Chef John's Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burger Recipe

This burger brings together three of our favorite foods — burgers, bacon, and meatloaf sandwiches — into one juicy, tender, and mouthwatering creation. These burgers can be pan-seared or grilled to perfection. Chef John serves his bacon meatloaf burger on a grilled bun with fresh lettuce, tomato, and a generous spread of his secret sauce (a mix of mayo, mustard, and ketchup). "I’ll cook extra meatloaf for leftovers," says Chef John. "I’ll fry the cold slice in butter until it’s crispy and hot, then enjoy it on toast with ketchup. This burger is basically that, but with bacon!"

Chef John's Juicy Lucy Burger

Chef John gives his own spin on the iconic cheese-filled burger that originated in the Midwest. "This isn't just any cheeseburger. It's a 'Juicy Lucy,' or sometimes spelled 'Jucy Lucy,'" Chef John explains. "There are two rival restaurants in Minneapolis that claim to have invented it, and each spells it differently. To make the perfect Juicy Lucy, press the edges of the patties together tightly to seal in the cheese, keeping the burger juicy. Don’t forget to top your burger with your favorite sauce on the bun."

Black and Blue Rib-eye Steak Burger

Why grind up premium cuts like rib-eye and sirloin to make burgers? "For the unbeatable flavor and texture," says Chef John. "Most store-bought ground meat is overly processed, too finely ground, and ends up tough when formed into patties." Chef John avoids these pitfalls by using a sharp knife to chop quality meat that’s partially frozen. It’s a technique borrowed straight from the steakhouse. As for the cheese? Blue cheese. "The bold, tangy kick of blue cheese forms a beautiful crust as the meat sears into it." See how it's done:

Chef John's Teriyaki-Glazed Burgers

The key to Chef John's mouthwatering teriyaki burgers is blending his homemade teriyaki sauce directly into the ground beef mixture, rather than just using it as a topping. Chef John suggests grilling these burgers over a medium-hot charcoal fire, or using a grill pan indoors when the weather isn’t cooperating. These burgers also make fantastic sliders—try them on Chef John's Sweet Potato Buns, with fresh lettuce and tomato for a delicious bite-sized treat.

Chef John's Mini Beef Sliders

These mini burgers are perfect for any party. Chef John's brilliant trick is to use muffin cups to shape the ground beef before frying, ensuring perfectly even-sized patties that cook uniformly. Serve them on tiny dinner rolls with fresh tomato slices. "They turned out amazing and so simple," says Moosie. "The 'secret sauce' really made them extra special."

Chef John's Lamb Moussaka Burger

Chef John shares the inspiration behind this unique burger: "I had been imagining a lamb burger inspired by moussaka, the iconic Greek casserole. For those unfamiliar, moussaka combines spiced ground lamb, tomato, and eggplant, all topped with a creamy, cheesy white sauce. I decided to incorporate the eggplant directly into the burger mix, instead of just adding cooked slices on top."

Chef John's Loco Moco

Chef John's version of this Hawaiian comfort food classic features a burger in a bowl, served with hot rice drenched in rich brown gravy and topped with a fried egg. "The sauce on the rice alone is worth making this dish," says Chef John. "But when you add the burger and the egg, it becomes a hearty and incredibly flavorful meal."

Chef John's Lean Turkey Burger

Chef John takes a very lean turkey burger and makes it taste incredible, with patties that are 95% fat-free. What's the secret? "This recipe uses similar techniques and seasonings as those used in making shish kebabs," says Chef John.

Lamb Merguez Sausage Patties

Chef John reinvents homemade merguez, the bold, spicy North African sausage, turning it into a fantastic burger! He blends ground lamb with a quick mix of spices, garlic, harissa chili sauce for heat, and tomato paste. Top your grilled burger with crumbled feta cheese for the perfect finishing touch!

Fresh Homemade Hamburger Buns

Your incredible burger deserves a homemade bun that’s soft, airy, and light, with the perfect texture and crumb, yet sturdy enough to hold up to a juicy grilled patty. "These buns not only come out the perfect shape, but they taste far better than anything you’d get from a store," says Chef John. "The process takes nearly four hours, but the hands-on work is only about 10 minutes."

Chef John's Homemade Condiments

How’s your condiment game? A burger isn’t truly complete without Chef John’s homemade Ketchup, Mayonnaise, and Mustard. You might also want to try his delicious Bread and Butter Pickles to elevate your burger experience.

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