13 Non-basic Burger Recipes to Spice up Your Labor Day BBQ — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Labor Day is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious burgers. But why settle for the same old basic burger recipes? This article from Eat This Not That will show you 13 non-basic burger recipes to spice up your Labor Day BBQ. From classic cheeseburgers to creative veggie burgers, these recipes will have your guests asking for seconds. So get ready to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious burgers that are sure to make your Labor Day BBQ a hit!

13 Non-Basic Burger Recipes to Spice up Your Labor Day BBQ

Labor Day is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy a delicious burger. But why settle for the same old basic burger when you can try something new and exciting? Here are 13 non-basic burger recipes to spice up your Labor Day BBQ.

1. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Burgers

These burgers are sure to be a hit at your Labor Day BBQ. Start by wrapping a jalapeno popper in bacon and then top it with a juicy beef patty. Serve with your favorite condiments and enjoy!

2. Greek Lamb Burgers

These Greek-inspired lamb burgers are packed with flavor. Start by combining ground lamb with feta cheese, oregano, garlic, and red onion. Grill to perfection and serve with a dollop of tzatziki sauce.

3. BBQ Pulled Pork Burgers

These burgers are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Start by combining ground pork with your favorite BBQ sauce. Grill to perfection and top with coleslaw for a delicious twist on a classic burger.

4. Bison Burgers with Caramelized Onions

These bison burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by combining ground bison with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Grill to perfection and top with caramelized onions for a delicious twist on a classic burger.

5. Turkey Burgers with Avocado Salsa

These turkey burgers are a great way to enjoy a healthy burger. Start by combining ground turkey with garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious avocado salsa for a flavorful twist.

6. Portobello Mushroom Burgers

These vegetarian-friendly burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by marinating portobello mushrooms in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Grill to perfection and top with your favorite condiments.

7. Salmon Burgers with Wasabi Mayo

These salmon burgers are a great way to enjoy a healthy burger. Start by combining ground salmon with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious wasabi mayo for a flavorful twist.

8. Buffalo Chicken Burgers

These burgers are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Start by combining ground chicken with hot sauce and blue cheese. Grill to perfection and top with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing for a delicious twist on a classic burger.

9. Veggie Burgers with Avocado

These veggie burgers are a great way to enjoy a healthy burger. Start by combining black beans, corn, and quinoa with garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious avocado for a flavorful twist.

10. Turkey Burgers with Cranberry Relish

These turkey burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by combining ground turkey with garlic, sage, and thyme. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious cranberry relish for a flavorful twist.

11. Hawaiian Burgers with Pineapple Salsa

These Hawaiian-inspired burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by combining ground beef with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious pineapple salsa for a flavorful twist.

12. Falafel Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

These vegetarian-friendly burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by combining chickpeas, garlic, and herbs. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious tzatziki sauce for a flavorful twist.

13. Turkey Burgers with Apple Chutney

These turkey burgers are sure to be a hit. Start by combining ground turkey with garlic, sage, and thyme. Grill to perfection and top with a delicious apple chutney for a flavorful twist.

These 13 non-basic burger recipes are sure to spice up your Labor Day BBQ. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some delicious burgers!

You’ve worked hard all year long, and Labor Day weekend is the time to celebrate all of that labor with some well-deserved relaxation and fun. There are few better ways to spend your long weekend than with a barbecue, and what food is more perfect for a barbecue than burgers? This year, though, don’t go for the same old burgers you have every year; mix things up a bit with the non-basic burger recipes in this list!

Whether they have unique toppings like pepperoni or pineapple, or are made of something you didn’t even know a burger could be made of, like cauliflower, these burgers are far from traditional and are healthier options than any burger restaurant or fast-food place, as well. Read on, and for more, don’t miss 10 Foods You Never Knew You Could Grill.

Chicken burger with sundried tomato aolia
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Everyone’s had a beef burger, and turkey burgers are increasingly popular, too, so mix it up at your Labor Day BBQ by serving this chicken burger. Even if guests have had chicken burgers before, the addition of the recipe’s sun-dried tomato aioli is certain to spice up the barbecue menu, and one serving is relatively low on calories.

Get our recipe for Chicken Burger with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli.

thai turkey burger with asian slaw
Courtesy of Feasting at Home

It’s been disputed whether the hamburger’s origins lie in Germany or the United States, but the Thai Turkey Burger’s flavor profile won’t remind you of either country and will instead take you straight to Thailand. The burger is infused with lemongrass, Thai basil, and ginger and topped with a vegetable slaw to ensure that not only is it a delicious turkey burger, but a good way to get your veggies in, as well.

Get the recipe for Thai Turkey Burger with Asian Slaw from Feasting at Home.

RELATED: Secret Side Effects of Eating Grilled Foods, Says Science

spicy cauliflower burger
Courtesy of Pinch of Yum

Sure, cauliflower can be a great vegetarian and healthier substitute for chicken wings, but did you know that you can also make a burger out of the versatile vegetable? This recipe kicks up the patty’s flavor with cumin, chili powder, or cayenne, whichever spice you prefer, and also has pepper jack cheese in the patty to help hold it all together.

Get the recipe for Spicy Cauliflower Burgers from Pinch of Yum.

mexican green chili veggie burger
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

There are plenty of toppings you can place on your burger to infuse it with a bit more flavor or texture, but if you really want to kick things up spice-wise, try adding chili peppers into the actual burger, like in this recipe for the Mexican Green Chili Veggie Burger. The patties are composed of chickpeas, green chilis, and finely crushed tortilla chips, and the burger’s low calorie count makes it good for your waistline, as well.

Get the recipe for Mexican Green Chili Veggie Burgers From Minimalist Baker.

Healthy swiss burger with red wine and mushrooms
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

You could always just grill up some of the same hamburgers as always at your Labor Day barbecue, or you could make the dish more elegant with the addition of mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and a red wine-infused patty. This fancy burger is also lower in calories than any restaurant-made specialty.

Get our recipe for Red Wine-Infused Mushroom Swiss Burger.

Healthy ultimate burger
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

You may think there’s nothing like going to a restaurant and ordering a delicious burger, but it’s actually possible to recreate that experience at home, well the food part of that experience at least. This burger recipe is made out of equal parts sirloin and brisket and topped with arugula and caramelized onions.

A bonus—the burger comes in at a fraction of the calories and saturated fat that you’d find in a burger from almost any restaurant. Sometimes it helps to make things at home. The healthy ultimate burger may not seem too extraordinary, but with the calories saved by making a healthier burger, go crazy on different toppings to spice things up—this recipe recommends bleu cheese.

Get our recipe for The Healthy Ultimate Burger.

Healthy patty melt
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

When you think of a patty melt, it’s more likely that your thoughts take you to a diner rather than a Labor Day barbecue, but this inventive recipe is so delicious that you’ll be inspired to make it a new BBQ staple. The recipe calls for a patty made out of either sirloin or turkey, both options will result in a lean and delicious burger, and Swiss cheese to top it, which has fewer calories than cheddar.

Get our recipe for The Ultimate Patty Melt.

RELATED: The Worst Diner Foods You Should Never Order

pizza burger on wooden tray with marinara sauce
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

In most cases, pizza and burgers aren’t the healthiest choices for a meal; however, this recipe manages to combine the two and still remain low in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. That doesn’t mean that it compromises on any of the taste, either. The patty is seasoned with oregano and red pepper flakes, as any good pizza should be, and the burger is topped with warmed pizza sauce and toppings. One of the perks of this burger is that just like pizza, you’re able to customize the toppings on it however you want—go for a sweet and spicy combination with some grilled pineapple and hot peppers, or keep it traditional with plain cheese.

Get our recipe for Grilled Pizza Burger.

stuffed portobello mushroom burger
Courtesy of Well Plated by Erin

A lot of homemade veggie burger recipes require a lot of work when putting together the patty, but for mushroom lovers, this one’s relatively simple: marinate a portobello mushroom cap and put it on the grill. Because this burger patty consists solely of a portobello mushroom cap and seasonings, it remains low in calories, fat, and sodium, while not sacrificing any savory flavor.

Get the recipe for Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Burger from Well Plated by Erin.

baked falafel burgers
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

Not all burgers have to be made on a grill—give yours a rest over Labor Day weekend, and try out this baked falafel burger recipe for a real way to spice things up. Speaking of spice, this burger, which only has seven ingredients, is seasoned with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, making the savory patties packed with flavor. As this vegetarian-friendly burger is baked, it’s not loaded with the grease that you’d see in other burgers.

Get the recipe for Baked Falafel Burgers from Minimalist Baker.

brown butter burger
Courtesy of Macheesmo

This recipe requires a bit of extra effort, but it’s worth it to impress your Labor Day barbecue guests with the flavor bursting out of these brown butter-coated patties. Before the burger is put together, the recipe’s titular brown butter needs to be prepared by letting butter heat up on the stove and separating out the browned solids at the bottom of the pan from the rest of the melted butter. By adding browned butter to the burger patty, the burgers will have a nutty flavor and will be extremely moist.

Get the recipe for Brown Butter Burgers from Macheesmo.

grillable veggie burger
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

One of the most enjoyable parts of Labor Day weekend is grilling up food for your friends and family, and just because this burger doesn’t feature any meat doesn’t mean it’s not entirely grillable. This protein-packed veggie burger is made with black beans, brown rice, and walnuts, and is relatively low in saturated fat and calories.

Get the recipe for Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers from Minimalist Baker.

Healthy bigger better big mac
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

We all love the Big Mac, McDonald’s iconic signature hamburger, which features two thin patties sidled between three buns, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and of course, Big Mac sauce. But it’s safe to say the Big Mac isn’t exactly the healthiest burger available. Our Best Copycat Big Mac Recipe is a recipe that’s just as delicious, but with far fewer calories.

Get our recipe for The Best Copycat Big Mac.

Choosing any of these recipes is sure to impress your guests this Labor Day weekend. And remember—one burger isn’t going to derail your healthy eating routine! Rather than cutting out burgers from your meal entirely, consider adding more vegetables to your plate to stay fuller longer, ditch half of the bun for an open-faced burger, or even sub out the bun with lettuce.