A staple of American eats and an emblem of grilling season, the hamburger is as enduring as it is versatile—or perhaps it endures because it’s so versatile. Easy to dress up and delicious even at its simplest, the burger has seen its fair share of twists and takes. Just in time for July 4th weekend, explore a handful of our alternative burger recipes—from a sweet potato, black bean, and quinoa burger topped with avocado mash to a cheese-stuffed portobello burger served with a side of carrot fries—and prepare to expand your hamburger horizons.
1. Sweet Potato-Quinoa Burgers with Avocado Mash & Crunchy Slaw
You don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy a beef-free burger—but this recipe for sweet potato burgers will have meat-eaters and veggie-lovers alike coming back for more. Basic ingredients come together to create dense, delectable (and did we mention guilt-free?) patties that you simply sear and top with avocado mash. Sandwich between pillowy brioche buns and serve with a side of crunchy cabbage slaw.
2. Cheesy Stuffed Portobello Burgers with Carrot “Fries”
A true testament to culinary innovation, this alt burger doesn’t even true to emulate the standard beef patty. Instead, a scooped out portobello mushroom makes up the “meat” of this irresistible dinner—the hollowed caps are filled with a mix of Dijon and cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella, then baked to mouthwateringly gooey perfection. Topped with arugula and served with a side of carrot “fries,” this recipe is one you won’t soon forget.
Cook exciting dinners without the stress of the grocery store. Sign up for Plated and get a free dinner for two with your first delivery.
3. Salmon Burgers with Tarragon Aioli & Mache Salad
Beef may have met its match with this go-to alternative to the classic burger (and the recipe is easy to whip up on a weeknight to boot). These salmon burgers are chock-full of greens and slathered with fragrant tarragon aioli. Plus, the patties get a flavorful boost with a mix of scallions, capers, horseradish, and Dijon before being breaded and pan-seared.
4. Turkey Burgers with Spinach, Scallions, & Carrot “Fries”
Flipping the script on the traditional turkey sandwich (think cold cuts), this recipe puts a seared, green-speckled patty front and center. Spinach and scallion add depth to these juicy turkey patties, slathered with lemony garlic aioli and sandwiched between toasted brioche buns. A side of roasted carrots serves as a delicious, guiltless substitute for french fries.
5. Chicken Avocado Burgers with Aioli & Green Beans
Rethinking one of the most popular proteins, this recipe nods to the hamburger with patties made of chicken, avocado, and garlic. Drizzled with lemony aioli and topped with even more avocado, this chicken burger is tart, creamy, and secretly indulgent. Served with a side of sautéed green beans, this dinner just might become a new weeknight tradition.
To discover more even clever spins on classic dinners, sign up for Plated, and receive a free dinner for two with your first delivery.