How to make the ultimate burger for National Burger Day

Saturday, May 28^th is National Burger Day, which sounds like the perfect excuse to find some killer burger recipes and whip up an epic feast, if you ask us! We've put together our top tips for making the ultimate burger, to help you level-up your burger game- whether you're a meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan.

Tip 1: How to make burger patties that will tantalise your tastebuds

For the carnivores among us, the first step is to choose your meat - beef, lamb, or chicken? Once you've settled on a protein, it's time to add some flavour. Lamb always works well with Greek or Middle Eastern spices, or you could add sprigs of rosemary to create a roast lamb-inspired burger. Beef and chicken are both incredibly versatile, and can be paired with pretty much any herb or spice combo you can imagine.

Love Tex-Mex flavours? Season your burger patties with taco spices, and serve with sour cream, avo slices and salad. Craving a classic American-style beef burger? Keep the patty simple - just mince, salt, and pepper - and load up on condiments such as mustard, pickles, and cheese.

If burger patties don't float your boat, how about a nice lean cut of meat? You could grill some marinated chicken breast or steak and slice thinly (on an angle, for extra chef cred). Alternatively, how about chicken or veal schnitzels in a crispy crumb?

Tip 2: Take your favourite veggie burger recipes to the next level

Wondering how to make vegetarian burgers stay together in the pan? We've all had one of those epic fails, where the burger disintegrates when you try to flip it! What you need is a good binder in the mix. Eggs are perfect, but if you're serving vegans, chia or flax eggs work well too. Don't scrimp on the herbs and spices, either - these really elevate a humble veggie patty to new heights. You could try oregano and basil for an Italian twist, or a combo of cumin, coriander, and turmeric for an Indian-inspired veggie burger, complete with a dollop of Greek yoghurt on top.

Prefer a vegetarian burger that oozes cheesy goodness and squeaks as you eat it? You can't go past a delicious halloumi burger. Halloumi burgers are perfect for any time of the day - you can even pair them with fried eggs and bacon for a tasty brekkie roll. Halloumi burgers are seriously impressive, yet seriously easy to prepare. Simply slice up some halloumi, brush with olive oil, and cook in a hot pan for two to three minutes. Top tip - fry your halloumi in a griddle pan, like this one from Tefal, to create those fancy chef-style grill lines.

Tip 3: Switch up the bun

The classic fluffy white roll might have been a staple of your childhood barbeques, but these days, bread options are endless. You could go for a chewy focaccia, toasted in the Heller four-slice sandwich press for extra crunch, or cut thick slices of sourdough to give your burger a bit of a pub grub vibe. A brioche bun is another tasty option, and the smaller ones are perfect for slider-style burgers that can be eaten in one bite.

If you're cooking for friends with a gluten intolerance, there are some amazing gluten-free buns available these days - just remember to prepare their burgers first, to avoid any cross-contamination. And, for a paleo or low-carb burger, you can forgo the bun entirely and substitute with lettuce cups - iceberg works best for this.

Tip 4: Supercharge your condiments

Step aside, tomato sauce and mustard - there are some new condiments in town! Whether you're serving meat or veggie burgers, it's the condiments that will make or break the dish. Why not try mixing Greek yoghurt with a swirl of harissa for a spicy kick, or a homemade whole-egg mayo for a rich, creamy topping? For our vegan friends, chunky chutneys are a great substitute for tomato sauce, and smashed avo with a squeeze of lime and some freshly-chopped coriander is always a winner. Serve your sauces in cute matching dishes, like this set of three from Davis & Waddell.

Of course, no burger would be complete without cheese - dairy-based or vegan. Traditionalists might reach for the pre-sliced cheddar, but burger afficionados know that you can create a super-decadent burger by adding something more exotic, such as blue cheese or Camembert.

And don't forget the onions - freshly sliced or cooked, depending on your preference. Red onions cooked in a balsamic reduction are delicious, or you could caramelise some brown onions with a pinch of sugar in a small frying pan like this one, to create a quick relish.

Is your mouth watering, thinking about the amazing burgers you could create? Check out our range of frying pans, sandwich presses, and condiment dishes to help you prepare your feast, available online and in-store now at Harris Scarfe.