Open Your Own Burger Bar

Everybody loves burgers, but not everyone loves ’em the same way. Set up a burger bar for your next cookout. Friends and fam can customize their own burgers, and you won’t have to plate or serve a single one.

• Step 1. Choose Your Ingredients

  

  Set out plenty of topping options for your hungry guests. Here are some of our favorite ingredients, from the tried-and-true to out-of-the-ordinary.

• Condiments:

  • • Ketchup
  • • Mustard (Offer up a variety of these, beyond standard yellow.)
  • • BBQ Sauce (Try KC Masterpiece.)
  • • Ranch (We like Hidden Valley Ranch.)
  • • Thousand Island
  • • Hot Sauce
  • • Salsa
  • • Queso

   

  Grilled Toppings:

  • • Onions
  • • Peppers
  • • Jalapeños
  • • Bacon
  • • Chili

   

  Cold Toppings:

  • • Lettuce (add arugula for big savory flavor)
  • • Raw Onions
  • • Pickles
  • • Pepperoncini
  • • Guacamole
  • • Sliced Avocados
  • • Coleslaw
  • • Salt, Pepper & Spices

   

  Buns:

  • • Hawaiian Rolls
  • • Sesame Seed
  • • Whole Wheat
  • • English Muffins
  • • Mac & Cheese Buns (see recipe here)
  • • Bacon Buns (see recipe here)
  • • Crisp Romaine Lettuce (a great carb-free option)

 

• Step 2. Grill a Batch of Classic Burgers

  

  See our Hamburger: how to page to learn how to fire up perfect burger patties, every time.
  
  See How-To ➜
  

• Step 3. Find Some Burger Inspiration

  

  Check out the 10 Baddest Burgers of All Time for some over-the-top ideas and recipes.
  
  See How-To ➜
  

• Step 4. Gather Up the Family and Get Grillin‘