45 Burgers That Aren't Made With Beef

Whether you're committed to eating less beef or you're just craving a great veggie burger, these beef-free burger recipes will guide you toward a delicious dinner tonight. Some of these recipes lean on chickpeas and mushrooms, others call for lentils or quinoa. We have the secrets to the best turkey burgers and lamb burgers, too (don't skimp on the burger sauce). Next, it'll be time to get working on your fry game. (Or your oven-fry game.)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson1/44Black Bean Smash Burger
Our genius solution for a black bean burger that’s not at all gummy: Treat it like a smash burger, griddle until crispy, and devour with lots of chipotle mayo.
Photograph by Maria Be, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua2/44Spiced Chicken Burgers
Consider these chicken tikka kebab–inspired burgers oozing with cheese the only burger you’ll want to enjoy all summer.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, styling by Claire Saffitz3/44Extra-Juicy Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers always sound like a great idea, but they too often taste like a fat sawdust patty. No more, friends! Mashing avocado into the turkey mixture helps prevent the meat from shrinking and drying out during cooking, which is why these stay awesomely juicy, even when they’re cooked all the way through.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li4/44Salmon Burgers With Ginger and Quick-Pickled Cucumbers
Fresh salmon makes these ginger and scallion-laced burgers luscious and flavorful. Pile them high with peppery watercress, crunchy cucumber quick pickles, fragrant mint, and cilantro.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.5/44Crispy Golden Shrimp Burgers
Topped with crunchy cabbage and creamy egg salad and nestled between toasted brioche buns, these extra-crispy shrimp burgers are over-the-top in the best way.
Photo Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen6/44Easiest-Ever Grilled Veggie Burgers
The vegan patties in this burger recipe go straight from the mixing bowl to the grill without falling apart—all in about 20 minutes.
Michelle K. Min7/44Miso-Glazed Maitake Mushroom Burgers
This is my version of a veggie burger—using the meatiness of seared clusters of maitake mushrooms gives an additional layer of umami with a miso glaze.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/44Double-Stack Mushroom and Chicken Cheeseburgers
These chicken burgers are grilled and finished with gooey Muenster, stacked, and topped with shredded lettuce, sweet pickles, and curry mustard.
Alex Lau9/44Ultimate Veggie Burger
Veggie burgers are not easy to make awesome, but we think this one nails it. We solved the “mush” factor by folding in bouncy mushrooms and pleasantly firm black beans, threw a hard sear on it for crisp texture on the outside, and seasoned it aggressively to combat any blandness. There’s no imitation protein or weird ingredients, just a rich, moist mixture of vegetables, grains, and nuts that work with any toppings you want to throw at it. It may not be vegan, but it’s pretty darn good. This is .…
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews10/44Spiced Lamb Burgers With Spring Slaw
Earthy lamb burgers need something bright, like this crisp slaw made from asparagus ribbons, sliced sugar snap peas, and red onion tossed in lemon juice.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua11/44Chicken-Bacon Smash Burgers
Cook a chicken burger in bacon fat, never look back.
Peden + Munk12/44BLT Turkey Burgers
Ground turkey is hardly the stuff of flavor fireworks, but turkey sausage, preseasoned and ready to cook, tends to have great flavor right out of the package.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime13/44Seared Squash and Halloumi Burgers
This vegetarian recipe makes a strong case for replacing a veggie burger with a slab of melty, salty cheese.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich14/44Lamb Burgers With Yogurt Sauce and Arugula
This flavorful lamb patty with lemony yogurt sauce is guaranteed to spice up your burger routine.

Joe Sevier

Tiffany Hopkins


