Juicy gourmet burger recipes (3 unique flavors with salad ideas)

These juicy gourmet burger recipes are mouthwatering beef burgers you can easily make at home to complete your weeknight dinner meals or host outdoor family parties.

I share 3 fun and unique burger recipes, each with its special flavor combinations, zesty herbs, and cheese.

Keep it healthy and low-carb by combining them with a super simple refreshing quinoa salad—recipes included—or serve them with your favorite toppings and bun for an over-the-top, restaurant-style hamburger experience.

They are gluten-free and a great low-carb option when paired with a salad—try this easy healthy cucumber salad!

Jump to:

• Make healthy burgers
• 3 fun & juicy gourmet burger recipes
• Beef and beet burger with feta and Cardamom—Ingredients
• Ground beef burger with Parmesan and Parsley—Ingredients
• Ground beef burger with Brie, almond flour, and apricots—Ingredients
• How to make burgers on the stove
• Healthy side dishes for burgers
• Green cucumber and avocado salad (bonus recipe)
• Red Cherry Tomatoes and bell pepper side salad (bonus recipe)
• Other salads or veggie sides for burgers
• Other serving suggestions
• Additional recipe notes
• How long do cooked burgers last in the fridge
• How to reheat burgers on the stove
• How to freeze uncooked hamburgers for meal prep
• Other recipes to try
• 📖 Recipe

Make healthy burgers

I'll admit, burgers don't end up often on my dinner table.

But when they do, I like them full of flavor and tasty enough without the need to smother on top of all kinds of condiments—you still could, of course.

And, as a home cook, I prefer making my own to anything takeout.

To make a good juicy burger, I rely on a few key ingredients, such as a blend of quality ground beef and extra-virgin olive oil, for an even more compelling flavor.

Each healthy burger recipe is super easy to make with a mix of spices for extra flavor and unique ingredients to make them gourmet-style.

They're all grain-free, and when served on a bed of homemade salad—the way I prefer it—you'll have one healthy homemade burger meal!

3 fun & juicy gourmet burger recipes

• These fun beef burger patties are juicy and homemade; each is ready and served in less than 40 minutes.

• And although the flavors and ingredients differ from your usual regular burger, they are all straightforward recipes that quickly come together.

• You'll appreciate their crispy brown edges, the creaminess on the inside with a mix of their unique fresh herbs or vegetables, dried flavorful spices, and for some, even a touch of spicy sweetness.

• You only have to pick your favorite flavor combo.

Beef and beet burger with feta and Cardamom—Ingredients

• Ground beef – I prefer an 80% lean/20 % fat ratio for the juiciest burgers. But anything over 15% fat will work. 
• Feta cheese – Equivalent to a greek burger, I'm adding crumbled feta cheese into the beef mix to add a tangy, buttery, and slightly salty flavor. Plus, it pairs so well with grated beetroots.
• Shallot– This onion is delicate and sweet when cooked, adds a tasty aroma to these burgers, and balances out the more earthy flavors of beets.
• Grated beets– add this root vegetable for moisture and to balance any fattiness. It also gives these gourmet burgers a beautiful color and an almost rare meaty look.
• Balsamic vinegar – It has an underlying sweetness and a mellow tartness. I am not adding a lot; otherwise, the burgers will fall apart, but just enough for that touch of extra flavor.
• Seasoning: Salt, cardamom, pepper (optional); they just work with the rest of the ingredients. Flavor the beef mix with these dry spices, and then season the burgers with extra salt and pepper when they are sizzling on the stove.

Ground beef burger with Parmesan and Parsley—Ingredients

A Mediterranean burger with similar ingredients to my tender Italian meatballs with just a few adjustments.

• Ground beef –  Choose an 80 % lean/20 % fat ratio for the juiciest burgers. But anything over 15% fat will work. 
• Parmesan cheese – Mediterranean-style burgers call for this mild salty and almost fruity cheese making these burgers incredibly creamy once cooked and super tasty with garlic and fresh Parsley. This combo just works!
• Garlic– add three whole cloves to the beef mix for flavor and aroma.
• Fresh Parsley– this fresh herb is earthy and peppery and will nicely balance the rest of the flavors and add freshness. Half a cup is enough, but if you are a parsley lover, feel free to add a bit more of this Italian herb.
• Seasoning: Salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper. Add more cayenne pepper for a spicier touch.

Ground beef burger with Brie, almond flour, and apricots—Ingredients

• Ground beef – I prefer an 80 % lean/20 % fat ratio for the juiciest burgers. But anything over 15% fat will work. 
• Soft Brie cheese – Another soft buttery cheese that almost tastes like mushrooms and is perfect for pairing with a ground beef mix.
• Almond flour– blanched almond flour ensures that the burgers don't fall apart and add a nutty element that goes well with beef and Brie.
• Green onions– add a lovely fresh, spicy, peppery flavor to balance any richness.
• Apricots– it's a touch of sweetness that nicely compliments the brie and almond flavors but also goes well with that hint of paprika powder.
• Seasoning: Salt, onion or garlic powder, paprika powder. Add more paprika powder for a spicier touch.

Note on ground beef: A higher fat percentage helps keep the burgers moist and deliciously flavorful. But don't worry about the burgers turning out too greasy because a lot of that fat will render off during cooking.

How to make burgers on the stove

Let's talk about a few quick tips for making gluten-free burgers. It will help keep the meat patties from falling apart or turning too dry.

Equipment

• You'll need a large 12-inch (cast iron) skillet to fit as many burgers at once.

• Work in batches to allow enough room between the hamburger patties while cooking.

Extra-virgin olive oil

• Cooking the burgers in a good quality olive oil makes all the difference, locks in the moisture, and creates incredible flavors.

• Heat the oil over medium-high heat until warm, about 3 minutes before adding the hamburger patties.

• Add a pinch of salt to the bottom of the pan (optional).

The thickness of the patties

• Ideally, you want already-formed patties when you heat the pan and have them lined or stacked up on a plate or parchment paper next to the stove. And you can decide how thick or thin you want them.

• I like them relatively thick and cook them usually for 4-5 minutes on both sides for a well-done burger and 3-4 minutes for a medium one.

• You can make a dent in the center with your thumb to avoid puffing them up. But that is optional.

• If you decide to make them fairly thin, you can adjust the cooking time to maybe anywhere from 2 to 3 minutes, depending on how you like your burger (taste test).

• My beef burgers are often unevenly-edged and not always perfectly the same size. But that's what you want from gourmet burger recipes, each one unique with its own delicious crispy browned border.

Flipping the burgers

• I have no rule about this.

• I usually wait for 4 to 5 minutes until I flip them over and cook them until done on the other side.

• Ideally, you want to flip your burgers only once or twice during cooking.

Seasoning

• The ground beef mixture is already seasoned, but you still need to add extra seasoning while they're sizzling on the stove.

• Add extra salt and black pepper to taste, and if you want more spiciness with the Mediterranean-style or Brie burger, add some cayenne or paprika pepper as well.

Don't move them around too much

• It's the key to keeping them from falling apart and getting those delicious brown edges.

• If they are difficult to remove from the pan, they might need more cooking time. So, leave it for another minute.

Healthy side dishes for burgers

• Feel free to smother these juicy gourmet burger recipes with your favorite toppings.

• My recommendation: sliced red onions, pickles, red beefsteak, or Roma tomatoes, and a brush of olive oil or mayo sprinkled on the inside of your favorite buns.

• But if you want a super healthy low-carb burger meal, I suggest complementing it with a simple yet tasty salad!

• So ditch the bun and make one of these Mediterranean-flavored salads (see recipes below) that pair well with any of these juicy hamburgers.

• They are so easy to make. You can prepare them while the burgers are on the stove as you keep an eye on them.

Green cucumber and avocado salad (bonus recipe)

This all-green salad is creamy, crunchy, incredibly refreshing with that touch of lemon juice, and easily customizable.

Ingredients

• Cucumber—I prefer a European or small Persian cucumber for the best result.
• Ripe avocado – texture-wise, it contrasts the crunchy cucumber and adds a delicious buttery bite.
• Scallions—a milder-tasting onion adding a refreshing peppery bite to this burger salad.
• Cilantro—it adds a citrusy touch, but feel free to replace it with fresh Parsley leaves.
• Pickles (bread and butter pickles)–are sweet, crunchy, and perfect for burger salads.
• Cloves or broccoli sprouts (optional): I love to add those to the mixed greens to make this salad extra nutritious. But I understand that not everyone loves them.
• Combo of sunflower and pumpkin seeds: optional but so recommended.
• Dressing: lemon juice, olive oil, salt. This is all you need to make a tasty and healthy salad but let the flavors of your gourmet burger shine.

How to make this green burger side salad

• It's super simple.
• All the greens and pickles get chopped and tossed in a large salad bowl.
• Mix in the seeds if you're adding them.
• Season with a tad of olive oil and lemon juice and salt to taste.
• Stir and let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving.
• Adding a handful of chopped hard cheese of your liking is another great option.

Red Cherry Tomatoes and bell pepper side salad (bonus recipe)

This burger salad is another healthy yet straightforward side dish that's naturally sweet, crunchy, and has some bitter undertones from lovely and nutritious dandelion greens.

Ingredients

• Grape tomatoes – I prefer small mini tomatoes on the vine, grape, or cherry.
• Bell pepper – texture-wise, it contrasts nicely with the sweet tomatoes.
• Dandelion greens–I love this vegetable. The bitter undertones nicely compliment the tomatoes and bell pepper, yet, you get all the health benefits of this remarkable vegetable. You can replace it with romaine lettuce or arugula if it's too bitter for your taste.
• Dressing: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Simple yet delicious.

How to make this red burger side salad

• Cut the tomatoes in half and thinly cut the bell pepper into long strips.
• Toss in a large salad bowl together with chopped dandelion greens.
• Season with a tad of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Stir and let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving.

Other salads or veggie sides for burgers

• These all-beef skillet burgers pair just as well with a creamy kale-apple salad to switch it up now and then.
• And in the summer months, you should definitely try this mango and avocado salad as a side—incredibly refreshing.
• Or try the Avocado Quinoa salad with a lovely lemony dressing that can also work here.

Other serving suggestions

Don't feel like making a salad but still want to keep your burger experience healthy-ish?

Here are a few other options:

• My homemade gluten-free biscuits are an excellent substitute for regular burger buns—baked with Buckwheat or Teff flour. They are crunchy and firm on the outside yet deliciously soft inside.

• Or pair any of these gourmet burger recipes with heavenly spiced oven-baked potatoes or a creamy mashed cauliflower in case you are planning that backyard family dinner party.

• Other heartier options are roasted asparagus or sweet and hearty baby bok choy.

Additional recipe notes

Good ground beef

• Juicy burgers start with good ground beef. Go for the best beef you can buy—ideally from a farmer's market.

• But even grocery stores offer plenty of local, high-quality beef, and I often stock up when on sale.

• I like buying ground beef with at least 15 to 20 percent fat.

Shaping beef burgers

• I make my burgers on the thicker side and usually make about six large hamburger patties with the given amount of ingredients.

• But you could go for eight to ten smaller-sized burgers for maybe an outdoor party.

• It is best to divide the mixture equally into six to 8 pieces before shaping the patties.

• Then roll each piece quickly into a ball.

• Use the palm of your hands to flatten them into patties before placing them directly in the skillet.

Making gourmet burger recipes gluten-free

• Keep the beef mixture chilled in the fridge until you are ready to cook the hamburger patties on the stove. It will help them from falling apart.

• To ensure that the meat cooks evenly, you want to leave the burgers out at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes max.

• Also, handle the meat as little as possible.

• It's best to chop the cheese, veggies, and fresh herbs before taking the ground beef out of the fridge and working these ingredients into the meat mixture as quickly as possible.

Seasoning tip

• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with a few pinches of salt before the olive oil warms up.

• Then season the other side when flipping the burgers with an extra touch of salt and whatever seasoning is called.

How long do cooked burgers last in the fridge

You can store cooked burgers in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container.

How to reheat burgers on the stove

Although they reheat quickly in a microwave, I prefer to do so directly in the skillet.

• Take the leftover hamburger patties out of the fridge.
• Place them on the kitchen counter and let them sit for a minute or two at room temperature.
• Reheat a little bit of olive oil (one tablespoon) over medium-low heat in a pan with a lid;
• Place the leftover burgers in the warmed skillet;
• Cover the top and let it cook for one to 2 minutes on one side;
• Then flip and cook for another one to two minutes or until sufficiently warmed

Note: these leftover burgers also taste great when served cold, rested for a few minutes at room temperature out of the fridge, chopped, and tossed over a salad like a burger salad bowl—great quick meal prep idea for lunch the next day.

How to freeze uncooked hamburgers for meal prep

• You can easily make any of these gourmet burger recipes in advance, which is perfect if you like meal prepping.

• Cover and wrap each uncooked hamburger patty with parchment paper. Then stack carefully in an airtight container.

• It's best to portion size it so you can take out what you need the night before and store it in the fridge to cook the next day.

• They should be good in the freezer for about 3 to 4 months.

Other recipes to try

• Pan-fried Turkey Burgers
• Easy spicy beef short ribs recipe (slow cooker)
• How to make an amazing instant pot beef stew
• Oven-Roasted Chicken (Mediterranean-style)
• A Quick Sesame Garlic Shrimp Recipe with Avocado
• An Easy Herb Butter Shrimp Recipe with Leeks
• Marinated Chicken Wings (healthy and readers' favorite)
• Tender Italian beef meatballs in sauce
• A hearty slow-cooker bone broth
• Fall-off-the-bone poached whole chicken

I hope you enjoy these gourmet burger recipes, and don't forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

📖 Recipe